Warren’s Homecoming crowd watched the Lumberjacks battle to keep pace with Hamburg on Friday night, but the visiting Lions pulled away for a 55-13 victory at Warren’s home field.
Hamburg’s win improved its conference record to 2-1 and improved its overall mark to 5-1. Warren fell to 3-3 for the season and 2-1 in 4A-8 Conference play.
The teams traded early scores, giving Warren a brief glimpse of a competitive night. Hamburg opened the scoring with a 15-yard touchdown pass, but the Lumberjacks answered with a drive that put them inside the Lions’ 10-yard line. Hayden Hampton finished the possession with a touchdown run after taking a handoff from DeAngelo Herron. Emanuel Pahuamba’s extra point made it a 7-7 game.
Hamburg quickly changed the momentum. The Lions’ quarterback, Kaeden Thomas, broke loose for a 76-yard scoring run, and their defense followed by forcing Warren to punt. A sack by Jaxstyn Ingram created a fumble opportunity for the Lumberjacks, but Hamburg recovered and added a 53-yard field goal.
The first quarter grew increasingly difficult for Warren when a fumbled kickoff gave Hamburg possession at the Lumberjacks’ 31-yard line. The Lions converted the short field into another touchdown, taking a 24-7 lead.
Warren continued to search for an offensive spark. Jackson Denton picked up a key first down on a fourth-down run, and the Lumberjacks later attempted a double-pass play that nearly produced a big gain. Neither effort resulted in points, and the Lions took advantage of their opportunities.
Hamburg added a 4-yard rushing touchdown midway through the second quarter. Warren then drove into position to threaten the scoreboard, but a pass intercepted in the end zone ended the possession. The Lions closed the half with a 23-yard touchdown reception, sending Warren into the locker room trailing 38-7.
The visitors extended their advantage after halftime, scoring on a 12-yard run before returning a Warren punt for another touchdown. With the score at 52-7, the mercy rule was in effect, leaving the Lumberjacks facing a sizable deficit for the remainder of the contest.
Warren’s defense was unable to prevent one more Hamburg scoring opportunity, as the Lions connected on a 37-yard field goal to make it 55-7.
Despite the outcome, the Lumberjacks found a late highlight to give the Homecoming crowd something to cheer about. Coleman Byrd directed Warren’s final scoring drive, getting help from catches by Jeremiah Hines and Scout Ballentine.
The possession ended with Byrd throwing deep to Ty Hembree, who hauled in the pass and broke multiple tackles on his way to a 38-yard touchdown. The extra-point attempt was unsuccessful, making the final score 55-13.
The loss puts Warren’s focus on a conference road test next week. The Lumberjacks will travel to Star City on Friday, Oct. 16, for a 7 p.m. kickoff in a matchup that could prove important as league play continues.
