WARREN, Ark. – The Arkansas Class 4A State Football Playoffs begin this Friday night, and the Warren Lumberjacks will open their postseason run at home inside Jim Hurley Jr. Stadium, hosting the Gentry Pioneers in the first round.
Warren (7-3, 5-2 in 8-4A) enters as the No. 3 seed out of the 8-4A Conference after closing the regular season with two convincing wins — a 58–34 victory over Central and a 66–34 win at Crossett. The Lumberjacks’ offense has been explosive in recent weeks, fueled by junior quarterback Jackson Denton, senior running back Aaron Davis, and a deep receiving corps featuring Bleyze Fellows, Josiah Steen, and Tayshawn Edwards, among others.
The winner of Friday night’s contest will advance to face Gosnell, the top seed in that region of the bracket, who received a first-round bye.
8-4A Conference in the Playoffs
Four teams from the 8-4A earned postseason berths this season — Warren, Stuttgart, Monticello, and Hamburg — continuing the conference’s reputation as one of the deepest in Class 4A.
- Stuttgart Ricebirds (1-seed, 8-4A): Stuttgart earned a first-round bye after capturing the 8-4A title. The Ricebirds are led by standout quarterback Cain Price, whose poise and playmaking have anchored one of the most consistent offenses in the state.
- Monticello Billies (4-seed, 8-4A): Monticello hosts Lonoke in round one. The Billies feature a powerful ground game led by Joseph Accelus, whose physical running style has carried much of their offensive load this season.
- Hamburg Lions (5-seed, 8-4A): Hamburg travels to Malvern to face the Leopards in the opening round. The Lions are powered by Ni’Kel Lewis, an Austin Peay commit, who has been among the most productive running backs in Class 4A.
Statewide Outlook
The other No. 1 seeds joining Stuttgart are Elkins, Gosnell, and Nashville — each earning a first-round bye. Other notable programs like Mills, Arkadelphia, and Malvern enter the postseason with strong resumes and will be aiming for deep playoff runs.
Looking Ahead
Warren has hit its stride offensively at the right time, and with home-field advantage Friday night, the Lumberjacks will look to build on their late-season momentum. A win would send Warren on the road to face Gosnell in round two.
Kickoff between Warren and Gentry is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Friday at Jim Hurley Jr. Stadium.
Follow Saline River News for complete coverage of the Lumberjacks and other 8-4A teams throughout the 2025 state playoffs.
