WARREN, Ark. – Looking to take a firm stand at the top of the 8-4A table, the Warren Lumberjacks took down a talented DeWitt Dragon team Friday night, October 14, 2022, at home at Jim Hurley, Jr. Stadium by the final of 47-20 on Homecoming night.
The Lumberjacks came into the ballgame hoping to extend a five-game winning streak. After a week zero loss to Stuttgart 31-28, Warren has rattled off five straight wins over White Hall, Star City, McGehee, Crossett, and Dumas ahead of their battle against DeWitt.
Top photo: Warren’s Antonio Jordan goes above a DeWitt defender to make a catch during Friday night’s Homecoming game. Photo by Robert Camp.
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The Dragons on the other hand stood with a potential high playoff seed still in play if they could do what few teams have been able to do in the last two decades, come to Jim Hurley, Jr. Stadium and find a win. DeWitt sat at 4-1 in the 8-4A and 5-2 overall. Their only conference loss to date had been a 34-7 drumming courtesy of Star City in September.
Warren won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff from the north end zone. After a return to the 39-yard-line, the Jacks set up in a shotgun formation. On the first play from scrimmage, quarterback Maddox Lassiter hit Antonio Jordan in stride for a 61-yard touchdown pass. It was one of those patented Bo Hembree type play-calls that likely had been rehearsed in the days ahead of the game. The plan came together perfectly to put Warren up early. However, the extra point conversion was unsuccessful after a mishap on the snap and hold. The Jacks led 6-0.
DeWitt’s opening offensive drive started from their own 44. Dragon quarterback Eli Ashcraft, son of former Warren coach Clay Ashcraft, marched the Dragons downfield methodically, completing several quick screens and converting one crucial third down and long situation. Ashcraft has been a huge part of DeWitt’s success so far this season, and it’s easy to see why. No doubt he is one of the top quarterbacks in 4A this season. DeWitt finished the drive off with a three-yard quarterback power from Ashcraft. They converted the point after and took a 7-6 lead with 7:07 to go in the first.
A surprise onside kick on the ensuing kickoff caught Warren on their heels. The Dragons recovered, and two minutes later capitalized on the Warren mistake by completing a 20-yard touchdown pass to go up 14-6.
Coach Bo Hembree went right back to the passing game on the next Jack drive. Lassiter launched a beauty of a ball to Neon’dre Thomas, who nestled it on the go for a 45-yard gain. With 4:21 to go in the first quarter, Lassiter ran it in from six yards out to bring Warren to within two. They would go for the two-point conversion, but it failed.
Still leading late into the first, DeWitt was unable to get much going on their third drive of the ballgame. They would be forced to punt with just over two minutes left in the period.
Again committing to the passing game, Warren went right for a momentum-swinging punch. Lassiter connected with Jordan a second time, for a game-long 69-yard touchdown pass to put Warren ahead. Hembree elected to go for the two-point conversion, and this time the orange and black made it count. They led 20-14 at the end of the first quarter.
Warren’s defense forced another DeWitt punt early in the second.
Attacking the air with menace, the Jacks found success once more immediately after the change of possession. Lassiter this time hit Thomas for a 39-yard gash. Sophomore Cody Weatherspoon, a name we should remember, extended Warren’s lead with 9:55 left before the half. The multi-sport athlete came in at tailback and hauled a handoff 35 yards for a touchdown. Weatherspoon made a nice cut on the run, a feature that was a staple of his all night. DeWitt had no match for him. The Jacks went up 27-14.
The Lumberjacks would score again with 4:10 remaining in the first half. Lassiter broke a run off the left edge and went 53 yards for the score. Lassiter had to bide his time on the run, as he patiently followed his blockers until the right moment, then zipping out wide and leaving DeWitt’s defense scrambling. Warren led 34-14 at the half.
Senior Landon Wolfe saw a few more carries in the second half. He and that talented core group of Warren offensive linemen put together a physical drive late in the third. Wolfe went off left tackle with 3:32 to go in the quarter, scoring from 19 yards out to put the Jacks up 41-14.
As the game slipped further out of the reach of the Dragons, Warren’s defense never let up. Neon’dre Thomas picked off an Ashcraft pass on the following DeWitt possession, returning it 14 yards and setting Warren up with nice field position.
The Jacks added a bit of icing late in the third as Lassiter hit Jordan for a 29-yard touchdown pass to seal the deal. It was their third touchdown connection of the night.
DeWitt pulled a consolation score back late in the fourth, but the orange and black were far out of site by that point.
The Lumberjacks went on to win by the final of 47-20.
Warren’s aerial threat was perhaps the best we’ve seen so far this season. Maddox Lassiter went 12 of 18 for 401 yards passing and three touchdowns.
Antonia Jordan was the recipient of all three of those Lassiter touchdown throws. The sophomore hauled in three touchdowns and posted 251 yards receiving.
Neon’dre Thomas’s night was nothing to sneer at, as Jordan’s sophomore teammate tallied 137 yards on just three catches.
Warren was again steady on the ground. Lassiter led the way with 76 yards on eight carries and two touchdowns.
Sophomore Cody Weatherspoon rushed seven times for 65 yards.
Warren’s other leading rushers were Landon Wolfe with six carries for 49 yards, and Matthew Powell with three touches for 50 yards.
The Lumberjacks put up a total of 641 yards offense, one of their best performances this season.
Although DeWitt put in a solid effort, the Jacks’ defense again came up big all night. Weston Gavin led the Lumberjacks with 13 credited tackles. The senior was an integral part of the win, as Warren dominated in the trenches. He was named the Saline River Chronicle Player of the Game.
Delfino Rivera had another great night defensively with seven tackles.
Maddox Lassiter matched Rivera with eight tackles, but he also had a crucial pass defended in the second quarter.
Tyrone Grays continued his fine form, taking a role on the defensive line and helping to shut down the DeWitt run. The senior posted six credited tackles.
Both Ervin Rivera and Neeyo Harding each made five tackles a piece. Harding would also have an interception.
Warren’s other interception on the night came from Neon’dre Thomas.
The Lumberjacks now sit comfortably atop the 8-4A Conference table going into week eight. The Jacks have an overall record of 6-1, but maintain their undefeated conference record at 5-0.
They get set to hit the road again next week, Friday, October 21 to face Monticello in the cross-county Union Bank and Trust Saline River Shootout with a trophy and rivalry bragging rights on the line. Monticello will be fired up, as they require a win to try and clip the final playoff spot in the coming weeks.
That game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. next Friday in Monticello.
