Lumberjacks Finish A Wonderful 2019 Season 10-2

The Warren Lumberjacks traveled to Ozark Friday, November 22 and faced the Ozark Hillbillies in the second round of the Class AAAA playoffs, coming up short by the score of 41-17.

Vincent Steppes breaks free for a Warren touchdown. Photo by Robert Camp.

A large Warren crowd made the trip and vocally supported the team while setting in a drizzle all night. The Lumberjacks played an outstanding first half and led the talented Hillbillies 17-14 at the half. However, the third quarter quickly got away from the Jacks and they fell 41-17. It sounds like a dominating win for Ozark, while the fact is, it was a very competitive game until several major errors did Warren in early in the third quarter.

Warren received the opening kick off at their own 45 and moved the ball to the Ozark seven-yard line against one of the best defenses in Class 4A. The drive stalled and Jesus Tinoco came in and kicked a field goal to put Warren ahead 3-0. The Jacks kicked off to the Ozark 31 and the Warren defense, playing like the best defense in Class 4A forced a punt and Warren took over at the Ozark 48. The Jacks were then forced to punt and left the Hillbillies at their own ten-yard line. Ozark then ripped off a big run. Then they threw a pass down the middle, Warren's safety had a shot at intercepting it but missed and the receiver caught the pass and ran 62 yards to score. The point after made the score 7-3 in favor of Ozark. After the kick-off, the Lumberjacks took over at their own 35 and drove the ball. Vincent Steppes ran 28 yards for a touchdown and the PAT by Tinoco was good to make the score Warren 10 and Ozark 7.

Cedric Calbert and Mark Hairston combine for the tackle. Photo by Robert Camp.

The battle continued into the second quarter with the Warren defense playing lights out. After a tremendous run by Steppes, Cedric Calbert came in to spell Steppes and scored on a one-yard run. Tinoco hit the PAT and Warren was up 17-7. Later the Jacks got deep for a long pass and it appeared the defensive back grabbed the receiver's shoulder. No call was made and Warren was forced to punt. With 2;53 remaining in the first half, Ozark broke a 25 yard run for a TD and the point after made the score at halftime 17-14 in favor of the Lumberjacks.

Warren kicked off to begin the third quarter and things went bad quickly. Ozark moved the ball in big chunks and scored on a 52-yard run to go-ahead 21-17. Then Warren called a fair catch on the ensuing kick off and failed to field the ball. It was recovered by Ozark and they scored again. On the next kick off, Warren fumbled the return and Ozark again recovered. Again they used a short field and scored. Warren had the ball very little in the third quarter.

Braden Jones reception. Photo by Robert Camp.

In the fourth quarter, Ozark continued to move the ball and eat up time. Warren mounted a long drive in the fourth quarter, taking over deep in Jack territory and drove to inside the Ozark ten yard line. On fourth and short, the snap was dropped and Ozark recovered. They kept the ball the remaining minutes of the game.

It was a story of two halves. Warren played outstanding in the first half against a very good team. Too many mistakes did serious damage in the third quarter, which could not be overcome.
The Lumberjacks never quit but the errors took a lot out of them.

For the game, Vincent Steppes ran 21 times for 156 yards and one TD. Riley Cornish was 14 out of 23 passing for 154 yards. Braden Jones had six catches for 86 yards. The Lumberjacks gained 321 yards total offense, while Ozark gained 434, mostly on the ground.

It was a successful year and sets up 2020 as an opportunity for the Lumberjacks to continue to win and make another run at a conference and state championship.