Coach Bo Hembree has been Head Football Coach of the Warren Lumberjacks for 19 years. He came to Warren as an assistant to Coach Tommy Arnold and was named head coach shortly thereafter when Coach Arnold went into administration. He brought a new concept to Warren football. It was called a passing offense, or "the spread." It revolutionized Lumberjack football. In a very short time period, Warren went from being a year in and year out competitive team, that occasionally made the playoffs, to a perennial conference champion and a major factor in Arkansas football, including winning state championships.
The first conference title came in 2001 along with a state championship. That feat was repeated in 2001. A conference championship came again in 2003, and a second place finish in conference in 2004, along with being 6th ranked in classification. Conference championships followed in 2005, 2006 ( with a disputed second place finish in the state championship game ), 2007, 2008 and 2009. Second place in the conference and playoffs followed in 2010 and 2011 and then conference titles were won in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and now 2018. Warren was second in the state in 2013, won the state championship in 2014 and was undefeated state champions in 2016. Warren was again a somewhat controversial second in the state in 2017. It is a most remarkable record, that has never seen it's like in Warren football history and rivals anything in South Arkansas. Read it again, four state titles, 15 conference championships and playoffs and high rankings each and every year.
Throughout the over 100 years of Lumberjack football, there have been a number of great players and great coaches. Warren has usually been a very competitive program. In the early 1960's, Micky O"Quinn became a legend along with his very successful teams. There have been successful coaches prior to and after O'Quinn, but nothing like the past 19 years in the modern era of football. Coach O'Quinn, told this writer back in the early Hembree years, that this program was now something very special and our fans needed to understand and appreciate as much.
During this time period of 19-years there have been a number of truly great players, a number of very good ones, and a lot of average players, who helped make Warren win. Coach Hembree and his staff have been incredible in evaluating talent, and he is one of the great offense play callers in Arkansas High School football. He makes average kids better and makes very good players reach a higher level. The abundantly talented made special things happen on the field. Most of all, his teams have played as one. That's how they have won, year in and year out.
Lumberjack fans have been supportive and generous. They need to continue to be. None of this happens automatically. Don't get spoiled! Show up at the games and be loud and supportive. It will benefit the players. If you haven't noticed, most every team that visits us has a rabid fan base bent on beating Warren. When the games get tight, and they do, get behind the Lumberjacks and let them hear you! Football is not meant to be a passive sport.
Now and again, the Jacks run into talented opponents and the results are not what we desire. Every year, the Lumberjacks bounce back and remain competitive. Look at the past 19 years if you need the proof. Fans ought to be excited for 2019. We may be young at several positions but there is talent returning and new talent coming in.
Congratulations to Coach Hembree, his staff and the players for continuing and growing the tradition of Lumberjack Football. It has been said before, "this is the glory days of Lumberjack Football." Keep enjoying the ride and keep supporting the kids still here those to come!
The first conference title came in 2001 along with a state championship. That feat was repeated in 2001. A conference championship came again in 2003, and a second place finish in conference in 2004, along with being 6th ranked in classification. Conference championships followed in 2005, 2006 ( with a disputed second place finish in the state championship game ), 2007, 2008 and 2009. Second place in the conference and playoffs followed in 2010 and 2011 and then conference titles were won in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and now 2018. Warren was second in the state in 2013, won the state championship in 2014 and was undefeated state champions in 2016. Warren was again a somewhat controversial second in the state in 2017. It is a most remarkable record, that has never seen it's like in Warren football history and rivals anything in South Arkansas. Read it again, four state titles, 15 conference championships and playoffs and high rankings each and every year.
Throughout the over 100 years of Lumberjack football, there have been a number of great players and great coaches. Warren has usually been a very competitive program. In the early 1960's, Micky O"Quinn became a legend along with his very successful teams. There have been successful coaches prior to and after O'Quinn, but nothing like the past 19 years in the modern era of football. Coach O'Quinn, told this writer back in the early Hembree years, that this program was now something very special and our fans needed to understand and appreciate as much.
During this time period of 19-years there have been a number of truly great players, a number of very good ones, and a lot of average players, who helped make Warren win. Coach Hembree and his staff have been incredible in evaluating talent, and he is one of the great offense play callers in Arkansas High School football. He makes average kids better and makes very good players reach a higher level. The abundantly talented made special things happen on the field. Most of all, his teams have played as one. That's how they have won, year in and year out.
Lumberjack fans have been supportive and generous. They need to continue to be. None of this happens automatically. Don't get spoiled! Show up at the games and be loud and supportive. It will benefit the players. If you haven't noticed, most every team that visits us has a rabid fan base bent on beating Warren. When the games get tight, and they do, get behind the Lumberjacks and let them hear you! Football is not meant to be a passive sport.
Now and again, the Jacks run into talented opponents and the results are not what we desire. Every year, the Lumberjacks bounce back and remain competitive. Look at the past 19 years if you need the proof. Fans ought to be excited for 2019. We may be young at several positions but there is talent returning and new talent coming in.
Congratulations to Coach Hembree, his staff and the players for continuing and growing the tradition of Lumberjack Football. It has been said before, "this is the glory days of Lumberjack Football." Keep enjoying the ride and keep supporting the kids still here those to come!
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