The Warren Lumberjacks became conference champs after their 42-7 win against the Hamburg Lions on Thursday. The Lumberjacks will continue on to the state playoffs on Friday.
“It’s always good to be conference champions,” said Lumberjack Coach Bo Hembree. “I thought offensively we dominated early and then we scored on our first four possessions. Defensively, we gave up some big runs. [The Lions] came out with some stuff we weren’t ready for. But overall, I’m pleased to get through it. We just have to get healthy. That’s the main thing is to get healthy and get ready to play against a real athletic team this week in Blytheville.”
The Lumberjacks started the game on offense and received the opening kickoff. Malik Day caught the opening kickoff, returning the ball to the 47-yardline where Warren would begin their drive.
At 8:48, the Lumberjacks offense moved down the field to the two-yard line where Cody Weatherspoon scored the first touchdown of the night. Lumberjack kicker Jose Jacinto gave the Lumberjacks the extra point for a 7-0 score.
The Lions would advance the ball down to the Warren 10-yard line on their first drive of the contest.
Hamburg running back, Grayson Whited, ran through the Lumberjack defense for a Lion touchdown. Alberto Aguilar added the extra point, despite being penalized five yards for a false start, to tie the contest 7-7.
With the game tied 7-7, the Lumberjacks would move the ball down to the Lion seven-yard line, but a false start would back them up to the 12.
After regaining the five yards back to the seven, Quarterback Maddox Lassiter connected with Neon’dre Thomas at the end zone for a touchdown.
With another successful kick by Jacinto, the Lumberjacks led 14-7.
With eight minutes left in the second quarter, the Lions were forced to punt that was caught by Antonio Jordan.
In the next play, Lassiter chose to run the ball from the Lumberjacks 47-yard line to the Lions’ 28-yard line.
The Lumberjacks advanced the ball down to the one-yard line where Weatherspoon ran through the Lions’ defense for his second touchdown of the night.
After Jacinto’s good kick, the Lumberjacks had a 21-7 lead.
Delfino Rivera recovered a fumble at the 34-yard line, putting the Lumberjacks back on offense.
The Lumberjacks made it to the six-yard line where Landon Wolfe sped through the defense for a touchdown.
Jacinto’s kick changed the score to 28-7.
The Lumberjacks kicked off to the Lions at the beginning of the third quarter.
The Lumberjacks played down the field to the 12-yard line but wasn’t able to make it further. The Lions were on offense.
With Lions at their 12-yard line, Tyrone Grays recovered a fumble when the ball slipped from the Lions’ quarterback’s hands as he attempted to pass.
The Lumberjacks were set up at the 12-yard line. Lassiter connected to Thomas at the end zone for another touchdown.
Jacinto’s kick was good, giving the Lumberjacks 35 points.
With a minute left in the third quarter, Malik Day recovered a fumble and ran down the field to the end zone for the last touchdown of the night.
Jacinto’s kick was successful again, making the final score of 42-7.
In the fourth quarter, sportsmanship rule was put in place.
The Lumberjacks’ offense had a total of 324 yards with 140 on the ground and 184 in the air.
Weatherspoon led the team in rushing with 45 yards and two touchdowns.
Lassiter had 41 yards on the ground. He also went 10 of 22 throwing with 181 yards and two touchdown passes.
Wolfe scored a touchdown and rushed for 21 yards.
Jordan caught three passes for 74 yards and Thomas caught four passes for 55 yards and two touchdowns.
The Lumberjacks will begin the playoffs on Friday here on home turf against Blytheville at 7 p.m.
