GREENBRIER, Ark. – In a 2024 season opener that came down to the wire, the Class 4A Warren Lumberjacks narrowly fell to the Class 5A Greenbrier Panthers, 41-34, on Friday night, August 30, 2024.
Warren started strong after winning the coin toss, opting to receive the opening kickoff. AJ Jordan electrified the visiting crowd with a return that took the ball to Greenbrier’s 39-yard line. The Lumberjacks’ first drive featured a crucial 4th-and-7 conversion with a big catch by Josiah Steen. The drive was capped off by tailback Aaron Davis, who sprinted 30 yards for a touchdown on a speed sweep around the right edge. Jacarlos Marquez added the extra point, giving Warren an early 7-0 lead with 10:04 remaining in the first quarter.
Top photo: Warren’s Neon’dre Thomas breaks free for a 57-yard touchdown during the first quarter vs. Greenbrier. Photo by Saline River Sports.
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Greenbrier quickly responded. Despite a fumbled snap, quarterback Jack Palmer scrambled and connected on a 38-yard touchdown pass at the 7:51 mark. The Panthers’ extra point was good, tying the game at 7-7.
Warren answered back with a 57-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Jackson Denton to Neon’dre Thomas. Marquez’s extra point was good, restoring the Lumberjacks’ lead at 14-7.
The Panthers’ next drive began at their own 32-yard line but stalled at Warren’s 16, resulting in a turnover on downs. However, Greenbrier capitalized on a Warren fumble just moments later.
Soon after, Palmer found Trendon Moseley for a 20-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 14-14 by the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Warren advanced inside Greenbrier’s 5-yard line at the 9:00 mark, only to fumble the ball away. Greenbrier seized the opportunity, with Enoch Assam breaking free for a 38-yard rushing touchdown later in the drive, putting the Panthers up 21-14 with 7:28 remaining in the half.
The Lumberjacks faced a significant setback when Denton was injured on a quarterback draw at the 3:28 mark. The sophomore standout who posted over 3,200 yards passing in 2023 was stretchered off the field and unfortunately did not return. Cam Burks stepped in at quarterback, leading Warren to the Greenbrier 19-yard line before the drive petered out with 1:29 left in the half.
On the following Panther drive, Warren’s defense came up big when Tramond Miller intercepted a deep Greenbrier pass at the Jack 23-yard line.
In true Bo Hembree fashion, on the very next play, Warren went vertical through the air. Burks hit AJ Jordan on a 77-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline. However, the extra point attempt was no good due to a mishap on the snap and hold, leaving Greenbrier with a 21-20 lead at halftime.
Greenbrier started the second half with a bang as Assan broke off a big run on the first play from scrimmage of the half. He would score three plays later. The extra point attempt was mishandled and not converted, but the Panthers extended their lead to 27-20.
Greenbrier continued to apply pressure with Moseley ripping off a 31-yard touchdown run at the 6:34 mark, increasing their lead to 34-20 after the successful extra point.
Warren refused to back down. Jordan’s ensuing kickoff return to the 40-yard line set up a crucial fourth-down conversion, where Burks connected with Jordan for a 41-yard touchdown pass. Marquez added the extra point, narrowing Greenbrier’s lead to 34-27 with 5:08 left in the third quarter.
The Lumberjacks struck again when Burks found Thomas for a 60-yard touchdown pass with 2:12 remaining in the third quarter, tying the game at 34-34.
Warren’s defense, led by strong performances from Xavion Miller and Tyree Hampton, forced Greenbrier to punt on the next drive.
Early in the fourth quarter, Warren mounted a promising drive, but things came to a halt with a Greenbrier interception in the end zone. The Lumberjacks’ defense held strong, forcing another Greenbrier punt with 4:00 to play.
Starting from their own 43-yard line, Warren’s hopes were dashed when a fumble was recovered by Greenbrier near the Panthers’ 40-yard line with just 1:30 left in the game. Greenbrier capitalized with a deep pass to Warren’s 15-yard line, followed by a 15-yard rushing touchdown by Assan with just 47 seconds remaining. The extra point made it 41-34 in favor of Greenbrier.
Warren had one last chance, starting from their own 22-yard line with 40 seconds left. However, a last-second Hail Mary was intercepted, sealing the win for Greenbrier.
The Lumberjacks will look to bounce back as they host White Hall next Friday, September 6 at Jim Hurley, Jr. Stadium on the WHS Campus. White Hall is also seeking redemption after falling to Sheridan 44-20 in their season opener on Friday night.
Warren Lumberjacks vs. Greenbrier Stats
Warren Lumberjacks
- Rushing:
- Aaron Davis: 18 carries, 81 yards, 1 touchdown
- Passing:
- Jackson Denton: 7 of 13 passing, 144 yards, 1 touchdown
- Cam Burks: 11 of 21 passing, 336 yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
- Receiving:
- AJ Jordan: 6 catches, 204 yards, 2 touchdowns
- Neon’dre Thomas: 6 catches, 143 yards, 2 touchdowns
- Team Totals:
- 135 yards rushing
- 482 yards passing
- 617 total yards
Greenbrier
- Rushing:
- Encoch Assan: 30 carries, 314 yards, 3 touchdowns
- Team Totals:
- 332 yards rushing
- 183 yards passing
- 515 total yards
