Warren left little doubt about the outcome of Friday night's conference matchup at Watson Chapel, overwhelming the Wildcats with five first-half touchdowns before cruising to a 42-12 victory.
The Lumberjacks combined a stingy defensive performance with an explosive offense to take a 35-6 lead into the locker room. A kickoff return for a touchdown to open the second half effectively slammed the door on any hopes of a Watson Chapel comeback.
The Oct. 30 victory moved Warren to 5-4 on the season and 4-2 in conference play with one regular-season contest remaining.
Running back JaKobe Avery accounted for three touchdowns on the ground, while quarterback Jackson Denton connected with two different receivers for scores. Warren also received a special-teams touchdown from Hayden Hampton in a game that saw the Lumberjacks control nearly every aspect of the contest.
Watson Chapel won the opening coin toss and elected to receive, but the Wildcats quickly discovered that moving the football against Warren's defense would be a difficult assignment.
After forcing a three-and-out on the opening series, the Lumberjacks took possession at their own 45 following a punt return by Jacob Marshall.
Denton immediately went to the air, finding Zaydin Grider for a completion that moved Warren across midfield. Grider, returning to action after an injury, would play a significant role in the Lumberjacks' early offensive success.
The opening drive ended with Denton delivering a 27-yard touchdown pass to Tayshawn Edwards with 9:22 remaining in the first quarter. The successful extra point put Warren ahead 7-0.
Another defensive stand forced the Wildcats to punt, and Warren took over at the Watson Chapel 42 with 6:29 showing on the clock.
This time, Denton needed even less time to find the end zone.
The Lumberjack quarterback connected with Grider on a 36-yard scoring strike, extending the lead to 13-0 after the extra-point attempt failed.
Watson Chapel's offense continued to sputter as Warren's defense prevented the Wildcats from sustaining drives. Another stop pinned the Lumberjacks at their own 14 late in the opening period, but Warren methodically worked its way downfield.
That possession ended early in the second quarter when Avery punched the ball across the goal line from two yards out. Warren added a two-point conversion to make the score 21-0 with 10:47 remaining in the half.
Things went from bad to worse for Watson Chapel when a high snap resulted in a fumble recovered by Warren with 9:19 remaining before intermission.
The Lumberjacks continued piling on the points.
Avery broke free for a 20-yard touchdown run at the 6:16 mark, giving Warren its fourth touchdown of the evening.
He added another score less than four minutes later, finding the end zone from seven yards out with 2:34 remaining in the second quarter. Emanuel Pahuamba converted the extra point, and Warren's advantage had ballooned to 35-0.
Watson Chapel finally found some offensive success in the closing minutes of the half, connecting on a 40-yard touchdown pass with 1:55 remaining. The Wildcats were unable to convert the two-point attempt, sending the teams to halftime with Warren holding a 35-6 advantage.
Any thoughts of a second-half rally disappeared almost immediately.
Hampton fielded the third-quarter kickoff, slipped past the first defender and raced down the left sideline for a touchdown. Pahuamba's extra point pushed the score to 42-6 and triggered the mercy-rule running clock.
The Wildcats managed one final touchdown with 9:16 remaining in the third period, but another failed two-point conversion left the score at 42-12.
Watson Chapel's special teams later provided one of the few bright spots for the home team by blocking a Warren field-goal attempt late in the quarter.
Neither offense reached the end zone again, and the running clock helped bring the final period to a quick conclusion.
While Avery's three-touchdown performance provided much of the offensive firepower, Warren's success extended well beyond its running game.
Denton's two touchdown passes in the opening quarter gave the Lumberjacks an early cushion, and Grider's return added another dimension to the passing attack. Edwards also contributed a touchdown reception, while Hampton supplied one of the night's most exciting plays with his kickoff return.
Perhaps the biggest difference came from Warren's defense, which set the tone before the offense had even taken the field.
The Lumberjacks forced consecutive three-and-outs to begin the game, repeatedly disrupted Watson Chapel's offensive possessions and helped create the opportunities that allowed Warren to build its commanding halftime lead.
The result was a convincing road victory and an important conference win as the Lumberjacks approach the conclusion of the regular season.
Warren will return home Thursday to face Crossett in its regular-season finale at Jim Hurley Jr. Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
