Lumberjacks Win! Next Game, State Championship!

Photos by Emmalee Goad

Keemontre McKnight turns to look for the pass.

The Warren Lumberjacks faced off against the Joe T. Robinson Senators Friday night, December 1st at Joe T. Robinson High School in the semi-finals of the class 4A state playoffs.  It was one of the most highly touted games of the year and one of the biggest in Arkansas this season.  The two teams had faced each other in 2016, in what many called the actual state championship for that year.

Defense! Lumberjacks! Defense!

The two teams somewhat mirrored each other in style and ability.  It turned into a real battle and went into overtime with the Lumberjacks winning 35-28.  It was hard fought, hard played and back and forth.

Robinson won the toss and deferred to the second half.  Warren received the opening kick off and took control at their own 24.  The Jacks promptly drove the football down the field and scored on a one yard touchdown run by Treylon Burks at the 8:09 mark of the first quarter.  The extra point was good by Jesus Tinoco and Warren went up 7-0.

Lumberjacks hang tough.

Robinson took over at their own 35 after the kick off and quickly move the ball down field.  With 6:56 remaining in the first quarter they scored on a five yard run and with the successful point after, tied the game at 7-7.  Warren got the ball at their own 32 and was forced to punt to the Robinson 25.
Robinson drove the ball to Warren's 19-yard line in the second quarter and after an offensive pass interference call on the Senators, turned the ball back to Warren on downs.  The Lumberjacks then moved the ball and with 7:30 left in the first half, scored on another one yard run by Treylon Burks.  Tinoco was good on the PAT and  Warren moved ahead 14-7.  The ensuing kick off gave Robinson the ball at their 33 and on third down Warren blocked a pass and forced a punt.  The Jacks had to punt back.  Robinson gotr the ball on their own 13 and were penalized to their 8.  Warren's Donovan Ross then picked off a Robinson pass and returned it to their three yard line.  Treylon Burks ran in for a touchdown from the three and Tinoco made it 21-7 in Warren's favor with a successful PAT.

#4 Cade Reep and #28 Joe Brown block for Keemontre McKnight.

The Lumberjacks tried a short pooch type kick off and Robinson broke the return to Warren's 31.
The Senators threatened to score but the Jacks forced a fumble and recovered at the Lumberjack  12-yard line.  After a great drive, Keemontrae McKnight, who ran and played great all night, broke off a brilliant 21-yard run for a touchdown with 1:09 remaining in the first half.  Tinoco made the score 28-7.  Robinson took the next Warren kick off and moved the ball quickley to the Warren 14.  The Jacks held them on downs and the half ended.

Lumberjack Defense holds that line.

Robinson received the second half kick off and took over at their own 31.  They moved the ball but were forced to punt.  Warren moved the ball but turned it over on downs at the Robinson 26.  No points were scored in the third quarter.

Braden Hargis lines up to defend Lumberjack territory.

In the fourth quarter, Robinson mounted a drive and scored on a six yard pass and made the score 28-14.  Warren was later forced to punt and the Senators later scored again on a 4-yard pass making the game 28-21.  Warren mounted another serious drive but was held on downs at the Robinson seven yard line with 4:48 to play.  Treylon Burks had been forced to sit out the fourth down play due to being shaken up on third down.  Robinson struck swiftly and scored on a 56-yard touchdown pass.  They tied the game 28-28 with 3:57 left in the game.

McKnight lines up behind his blockers.

The Lumberjacks responded and moved the ball down field.  McKnight broke a 21-yard run for a touchdown that was called back for blocking in the back.  It was a very close call.  The Lumberjacks attempted a long field goal with four seconds remaining in the game.  It missed just left.

The Lumberjacks got the ball first in overtime at the ten yard line.  Treylon Burks scored from the one and Tinoco hit the point after and Warren was ahead 35-28.  Robinson got their shot from the ten.  With fourth down at the Warren two, Treylon Burks shot through a gap from his linebacker position and dropped the running back behind the line of scrimmage to win the game.

Several fans stated it was one of the greatest high school football games they have ever witnessed.  Two very good teams battling it out with no quit in either.  It was like a heavy weight boxing match.

Treylon Burks heads to the goal line.

Every Warren player fought to the end.  Burks was again sensational as was McKnight, the offensive line and each member of the offense.  J'malachi Kinnard played well on offense and defense.  The entire defense made play after play.  A great Warren crowed was present and engaged.

The Lumberjacks now will face the Arkadelphia in the state championship game Saturday, December 9th at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.  Once again they face a very good team and will need another big and supportive Lumberjack Nation crowd to be present.  It will be Warren's seventh appearance in the finals over the past 18 years.