Lumberjacks Drill CAC

Lumberjack defense scores a safety.

The Warren Lumberjacks bounced back strong after dropping the last regular season game a week ago and defeated the Central Arkansas Christian Mustangs in the first round of the playoffs by the score of 44-14.  Warren scored all 44 points in the first half and then cruised to the win with the clock running continuously in the second half due to the sportsmanship rule.  The game was never in doubt. 

The top seeded Lumberjacks, Champions of 84A, received the opening kick off and drove the field behind the running of Vincent Stepps and excellent offensive line play.  Stepps finished the drive with a one yard touchdown run and Jesus Tinoco made the point after and Warren jumped ahead 7-0.  Tinoco kicked off and great coverage by Warren left CAC at their own 15-yard line.  Warren's defense lead by Marcus Miller was dominating and forced a three and out.  A very good CAC punt gave Warren the ball back at their own 35.

J'malachi Kinnard goes airborn to intercept the football.

The Jacks again moved the ball on offense and with 4:10 left in the first quarter, J'malachi Kinnard ran 14-yards for a touchdown and Tinoco was good on the PAT and Warren went up 14-0.  After kicking off to the CAC 27, the Warren defense forced another three and out and a shorter punt gave Warren the ball at the CAC 47.  With 16.6 seconds left in the first quarter, Keemontrae McKnight ripped off a nice 23-yard run to score.  Tinoco made the PAT and Warren now led 21-0. 

Starting the second quarter,the ensuing kick off by Tinoco left CAC inside their own ten and ultimately around the two.  The Lumberjack defense tackled a CAC back in the end zone to score a safety and the score rose to 23-0.  After a free kick by CAC from their twenty, Warren took over at their own 47.  With 10:49 remaining in the second quarter, Steppes ran 17-yards for a touchdown and Tinoco was good on the point after to make the score 30-0. 

Vincent Steppes gains yardage for the Jacks.

After a rare kick off out of bounds, CAC took over at their own 35.  However, as they tried to throw deep, J'malachi Kinnard, playing safety, intercepted a pass and returned it 67-yards for a touchdown.  Once again, Tinoco was successful on the extra point and the Jacks lead 37-0.  Tinoco then kicked off to the CAC 20 and after yet another three and out, forced a punt which Warren got back at their own 42.  The Lumberjacks mounted another drive and with 3:36 left in the first half, Tre'Lon Marshall ran in for a 7-yard touchdown and Tinoco was good on the PAT and Warren went ahead 44-0.  The next Tinoco kick off went to the CAC 20 and they were forced to punt to Warren's 40.  The half ended. 

The Lumberjacks kicked off to begin the second half to the CAC 7-yard line, as a result of great coverage on the kick.  Warren put in the second defense, while CAC kept their starters in the game.  CAC scored on a seventy-seven yard pass, as the Warren secondary experienced a coverage breakdown.  The PAT made the score 44-7.  CAC then tried an onside kick which the Jacks covered at their own 42.  The second offense did not move as a result of two dropped passes and the Jacks punted to the CAC 24.  CAC moved the ball and scored on a 17-yard run.  The score was 44-14 after the successful PAT.

The Lumberjacks took the kick off to begin the fourth quarter and set up on their own 44-yard line.  The second team offense moved the ball to the CAC 33 before turning it over on downs. 
CAC tried to move the ball but freshman linebacker Zander Hemphill intercepted a pass and the Lumberjacks ran out the clock.  Final score 44-14 in favor of Warren.

Again, a number of Lumberjacks played outstanding.  Michael Miranda was back after nursing an injury and his presence was notable on the defensive front.  Kinnard was outstanding on offense and defense, McKnight was great and made a remarkable catch as well as playing very well on defense.  Stepps was his normal remarkable in running the ball and the offensive line, consisting of Mark Hairston, Avery Weaver, Dylan Higgins, Kade Weaver, Travon Duncan and Miranda played well as a unit.  Travon Duncan played well on both sides of the ball, as did Donovan Ross, Braden Curry, Mastin Frazer, Jett Reep, Cade Reep, JJ Hampton, Davante Smith and  Chandler Crockett.  It may have been one of the better games for Arkansas commit Marcus Miller.  He was dominating on defense and helped on offense.  Braden Jones, who does an outstanding job holding for extra points and field goals, played a good deal on defense in the secondary.  The team seemed fired up and ready to play. 

Now Warren moves to round two of the playoffs to face the Arkadelphia Badgers.  Yes, the same team that won the somewhat controversial championship game in 2017.  They remain a very good team capable of going far in the playoffs.  They too won big Friday night. 

Again, we urge a large and loud crowd to be on hand next Friday, November 16th at Jim Hurley, Jr. Stadium.  Kick off is set for 7:00 P.M.  Expect a large Arkadelphia crowd and be ready to support this championship caliber Lumberjack team, even while missing some excellent players due to injuries.  The team has responded, the fans should do likewise!