The Warren Lumberjacks left no doubt Friday night, lighting up the scoreboard in a 58-34 win over Helena-West Helena Central at Jim Hurley Jr. Stadium. The victory pushed Warren to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in 8-4A play, keeping the Lumberjacks in strong position heading into the final week of the regular season.
Quarterback Jackson Denton tied a school record with seven touchdown passes, matching former Lumberjack standout Reid McKinney for the most in a half.
Denton got Warren going early, engineering a five-play opening drive capped by a 5-yard scoring pass to Bleyze Fellows. Jacarlos Marquez added the extra point to make it 7-0.
After Deangelo Herron recovered a Central fumble, Denton connected with Josiah Steen for a 20-yard touchdown. A 35-yard touchdown pass to Fellows and another short score to Steen stretched the margin to 27-0 by the end of the first quarter.
Central got on the board with a 5-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, but Warren answered immediately. Denton hit Steen for a 45-yard touchdown, then the Lumberjacks recovered an onside kick — also by Steen — and Denton found Fellows again from 24 yards out to make it 41-6.
Denton’s sixth touchdown pass, a 4-yarder to Steen, pushed the lead to 48-6 before halftime. Central connected on a long touchdown pass in the final minute of the half, cutting the margin to 48-12.
With the sportsmanship rule in effect and a running clock, Warren maintained control in the second half. Tucker McDiarmid recovered a fumble to set up a 25-yard Marquez field goal, extending the lead to 51-12.
Central scored three more times in the second half, but Aaron Davis returned a kickoff for a touchdown to keep the Lumberjacks comfortably ahead.
The Jacks will close out the regular season next week before heading into postseason play with momentum on their on their side.
