Lumberjacks end 11-2 season at quarter finals

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The Warren Lumberjacks 2022 football season came to an end on Friday night in the quarter finals of the 4A State Championship playoffs with a 27-21 overtime loss to the Malvern Leopards.

“We had a great year, 11-2. We came about an inch short down here for the first down,” said Lumberjack Coach Bo Hembree. “It is what it is. You don’t know what play it’s going to be and tonight it was that play. We didn’t make it.”

The Lumberjacks received the opening kickoff as AC/DC’s “Back in Black” pumped up the crowd. Excitement was in the air as the Warren crowd cheered for the Lumberjacks.

Lumberjack quarterback Maddox Lassiter made a 14-yard run to the 41-yard line at 10 minutes left in the first quarter.

Lassiter threw a pass to Ervin Rivera at the four-yard line.

With the Lumberjacks offense at the three-yard line, Lassiter leaped over the Leopards’ defense for a touchdown.

With kicker Jose Jacinto’s good kick, the Lumberjacks led 7-0.

At 6:00 in the first quarter, the Leopards’ fumbled the ball, but recovered at the 41-yard line. That gave them their first and 10.

The Leopards were forced to punt at the 45-yard line. The ball landed at the Lumberjacks’ 20-yard line. The Lumberjacks were forced to punt from the 20-yard line at 3:57.

The Lumberjacks led going into the second quarter, 7-0.

Tayshawn Johnson made an 18-yard play to the 47-yard line.

The Leopards were forced to punt again at their 32-yard line. The Lumberjacks also punted again at their 32-yard line.

The Leopards’ offense was at the four-yard line for fourth down where the quarterback threw a pass to the wide receiver at the end zone, but an interception by Lumberjack Lee Johnson prevented them from scoring. Johnson ran to the 24-yard line at 3:05 remaining in the half.

With less than a minute left in the second quarter, the Lumberjacks were at the nine-yard line. Lassiter threw a pass to Antonio Johnson at the end zone for a touchdown. Jacinto’s kick was good, giving the Lumberjacks a 14-0 lead.

The Lumberjacks kicked the ball off to e=begin the third quarter with the Leopards beginning their opening drive at their own 30-yard line.

At 11:15, Lassiter intercepted the ball and ran to the end zone for the touchdown. Jacinto’s kick was good, extending the Lumberjacks lead to 21-0.

The Leopards made their first touchdown after their quarterback scored with 6:48 remaining in the quarter.

Their kicker performed a successful kick, making the score 21-7.

At 5:25, the Lumberjacks were forced to punt at the 43-yard line to the Leopards’ 36-yard line.

From the 36-yard line, the Leopards ran to the end zone for another touchdown at 5:15. Lassiter jumped to make the tackle but was unable to connect.

The extra point by the Leopards was good, cutting the Lumberjack lead to 21-14.

Lassiter would take the Leopards next kickoff at the 25-yard line and would return the ball 30 yards to set up the Lumberjack drive at the Leopard 45-yard line.

The Lumberjacks were forced to punt again from the 43-yard line.

Malvern would tie the contest at 21 with 7:18 remaining in the contest.

At 6:30, the Leopards intercepted the ball from the Lumberjacks at the 48-yard line. The Lumberjacks defense stayed strong making the Leopards fourth down at the same 48-yard line.

With the game tied at 21, the Lumberjacks and Leopards would be forced to settle the contest in overtime.

The Lumberjacks would get the first possession of the overtime period from the 10-yard line. Gaining two yards in three plays, the Lumberjacks elected to attempt a field goal on fourth down that was not successful, turning the ball over to Malvern.

Starting their overtime possession from the 10-yard line, the Leopards would be penalized on third down with a false start penalty but would connect with a receiver in the endzone on their last play of the contest to seal the contest and advance to the semi-final game next Friday.

With the loss, the Lumberjacks conclude their season as 8-4A Conference Champions and with an 11-2 overall record.