Whatever happened during Warren’s first three games was left behind Friday night.
The Lumberjacks opened conference play with the kind of performance that can change the complexion of a season, using a combination of defensive takeaways, timely stops and explosive plays to defeat DeWitt 38-14.
Warren improved to 2-2 overall and began 8-4A Conference play with a 1-0 record.
The Lumberjacks didn’t dominate every minute of the game, but they consistently won the moments that mattered most.
That was especially evident in the first half.
Warren’s defense created an early turnover when Jacob Marshall intercepted a DeWitt pass, and the Lumberjacks’ special teams followed by forcing the Dragons to operate from deep in their own territory.
The field-position battle eventually paid off.
After a DeWitt punt, Warren took over at the Dragons’ 35-yard line. Quarterback Jackson Denton quickly moved the Lumberjacks toward the end zone, finding Tayshawn Edwards on a completion that reached the 4.
DeAngelo Herron finished the possession with a short touchdown run.
A 25-yard field goal from Jacarlos Marquez later gave Warren a 10-0 advantage.
DeWitt showed it wasn’t going to surrender easily.
The Dragons turned a short pass into a 76-yard touchdown and then appeared to have another scoring opportunity after blocking a Warren punt.
But Warren’s defense held at the goal line.
Instead of allowing DeWitt to take the lead, the Lumberjacks took over at their own 1-yard line and eventually turned the stop into another scoring drive.
JaKoby Avery’s 7-yard touchdown run put Warren ahead 17-7.
DeWitt answered again, using a long kickoff return to set up a touchdown that trimmed the margin to three points.
That was the last time the Dragons seriously threatened to turn the game around.
Warren’s offense responded with two touchdowns before halftime, and both came after the Lumberjacks took advantage of mistakes by DeWitt.
A fumbled snap on fourth down gave Warren possession at the Dragons’ 35. Denton then connected with Avery for a 10-yard touchdown to make it 24-14.
Warren wasn’t content with taking a two-score lead into the locker room.
With less than a minute remaining, the Lumberjacks faced fourth-and-1. Herron broke through for a 41-yard touchdown, turning a short-yardage situation into Warren’s biggest offensive play of the night.
The extra point gave Warren a 31-14 lead at halftime.
From there, the Lumberjacks played with the cushion they had created.
The third quarter produced no points, but Warren’s defense continued to prevent DeWitt from putting together a comeback. The Dragons reached the Warren 19-yard line before another defensive stop ended the threat.
Herron then delivered the final scoring blow early in the fourth quarter, adding a 3-yard touchdown for his third rushing score of the night.
Warren’s defense wasn’t finished.
Asher Weaver intercepted a DeWitt pass with just over nine minutes remaining, giving the Lumberjacks another opportunity deep in Dragons territory.
The final margin reflected more than Warren’s offensive production. The Lumberjacks repeatedly made DeWitt pay for mistakes and found ways to end drives when the Dragons appeared poised to score.
Herron led Warren’s scoring attack with three rushing touchdowns. Avery accounted for two touchdowns, one on the ground and another through the air.
Denton provided the passing plays needed to keep Warren’s offense moving, while Marshall, Weaver and the rest of the defense helped produce three takeaways.
After opening the season 1-2, Warren now has the result it wanted most when conference competition began: a victory.
The challenge gets bigger next week.
Warren will return home Friday, Oct. 2, to face Monticello in the Union Bank and Trust Saline River Shootout.
