Jacks Bring Down Elks

The Warren Lumberjacks met the Elkins Elks in the first round of the 2019 4A State Playoffs and came away with a hard-fought 34-19 victory at Jim Hurley, Jr. Stadium in Warren Friday night, November 15.

Vincent Steppes shoots through a gap in the Elkins defense. Photo by Robert Camp.

The game moves Warren forward to the second round of the playoffs where they will face Ozark at Ozark.

The Lumberjacks got off to a slow start and fell behind 13-0. They battled back to tie the game at halftime 13-13 and then finally pulled away to win.

Warren received the opening kick off and were quickly forced to punt after a three and out offensive start. Warren punted to the Elkins 16 and the Elks promptly drove the ball 84 yards and scored on a TD run with 2:22 remaining in the first quarter. The PAT was good and Elkins led 7-0. The Lumberjacks took the ensuing kick off and drove the ball to the Elkins 20 where they were held on downs.

In the second quarter, Elkins made another drive and scored on an eight-yard run. The PAT was no good and the Elks were ahead 13-0. After the following kick off, Warren began a drive from their own 29-yard line. The Jacks then scored on a 2-yard run by Vincent Steppes and the point after was blocked, leaving the score 13-6 in favor of Elkins. Warren kicked off to the end zone and Elkins took over at the 20. The Lumberjacks defense forced a punt and took the ball back at the Elkins 35. With 2:27 left in the second quarter, Steppes scored on a five-yard run. Tinoco made the PAT and the game was tied 13-13. Warren kicked off and Elkins took over at their 33. Warren forced a punt and Warren drove down and missed a field goal after having a touchdown called back for holding.

The Lumberjacks kicked off to begin the second half and the Lumberjack defense again forced a punt. With 9:19 remaining in the third quarter, Steppes scored on a nine-yard run and Tinoco was good on the point after to go up 20-13. The Jacks kicked off and the Elks took over at their own 24. They drove the field and threatened to score but Warren's Tre'lon Marshall intercepted a pass and Warren had the ball at their own four-yard line. The Jacks were forced to punt and later in the quarter Elkins scored on a 19-yard pass. The attempt at a two-point conversion failed leaving the score 20-19 in Warren's favor. the Lumberjacks returned the kick-off to the Elkins 49.

Warren's defense taking down an Elkins ball carrier. Photo by Robert Camp.

With 10:43 remaining in the game, Stepps ran in from the one-yard line and Tinoco made the point after. Warren led 27-19. After the Warren kick-off, Elkins began at their own three and were forced to punt. The Lumberjacks took over and with under six minutes left, Steppes again scored on a 15-yard run. With the successful PAT by Tinoco, the Jacks went up 34-19. The Jacks kicked off and Elkins took over at their own 34. They moved the ball and Warren's Christian Calhoun intercepted a pass at the Warren one. The Lumberjacks then ran out the clock.

Vincent Steppes ran 17 times for 206 yards and five touchdowns. He caught two passes for 46 yards. Cornish was 14 out of 31 passing for 188 yards. Marshall caught 4 passes for 40 yards, Calhoun caught 3 for 37 yards, Jacari Lee caught 2 for 36 yards and Braden Jones caught 3 for 33 yards. The Lumberjacks rushed for 244 yards and passed for 188 for a total of 432 offensive yards.

The Lumberjacks are now 10-1 on the season. Their next opponent is Ozark on the road.