Article by Dennen Cuthbertson
WARREN, Ark. (9/26/25) – The Warren High School football team forced a late turnover and converted a crucial fourth-and-7 with just over a minute remaining in the final quarter to hang on to defeat DeWitt 28-26 in the 4A-8 conference opener for both squads. Warren improves to 3-1 on the season and 1-0, while the Dragons are 2-2 and 0-1.
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Defensive First Half
Both teams moved the ball in the first quarter of the contest, but couldn’t find the end zone. DeWitt received the opening kickoff and drove into Warren territory before a fumble recovered by Warren’s De’Sean Adams stopped the drive. The Jacks marched down the field and appeared to score the first points of the contest, but a penalty negated the touchdown. An interception followed and DeWitt’s Korri Graham reeled off a 51-yard run to the Warren 9-yard line as the visitors looked to get on the scoreboard first. The Orange and Black defense rose to the occasion though and forced a turnover on downs to keep the game scoreless after one quarter.
The Dragons’ first drive of the second period stalled and Aaron Davis broke free for a 67-yard run to DeWitt’s 4-yard line to set up a scoring opportunity. The Jacks moved backwards, but junior quarterback Jackson Denton found Bleyze Fellows in the end zone for a 7-yard score. Jacarlos Marquez added the point after for a 7-0 Warren edge.
The Dragons then marched down the field 80 yards, converting two fourth downs along the way, with Graham punching it in from 3 yards out to make the score 7-6. DeWitt went for two and couldn’t convert to keep the score 7-6 with 1:17 on the clock before halftime. The ensuing kickoff went out of bounds and after two passes to Fellows the Jacks were at the 5-yard line. Davis found paydirt a couple of plays later with a successful extra point setting the halftime score at 14-6 in favor of the Lumberjacks.
Davis and Steen Provide Third-Quarter Fireworks
DeWitt began the second half with a successful onside kick and scored a touchdown after a short 40-yard drive to pull within 14-12 with the two-point try no good. The Dragons attempted another onside kick, but the ball went backwards to allow the Jacks to start at DeWitt’s 33-yard line. Davis took the first play 32 yards to the one and plunged into the end zone on the next play to push the Orange and Black’s advantage to 21-12 after another Marquez extra point.
The visitors used two big pass plays, including a 31-yard touchdown on third-and-9, to get within 21-18. The two-point attempt was no good with 1:50 showing on the clock in the third quarter. The Jacks recovered the onside kick and just nine second later found the scoreboard again with a 51-yard touchdown pass from Denton to Josiah Steen. The extra point was good and Warren took a 28-18 lead to the final quarter.
Warren Defense Steps Up to Seal Victory
DeWitt was forced to punt on their first drive in the fourth quarter, but a roughing the punter penalty gave them new life. The Dragons advanced to their own 46-yard line, but lined up to punt again. However, Graham took the snap out of punt formation and rolled right before connecting on a 54-yard touchdown pass. The fake punt put the score at 28-24 and the first successful two-point conversion of the night made the score 28-26 in favor of Warren.
A Warren fumble on the next drive gave the Dragons a chance to take the lead with their drive beginning in Lumberjack territory at the 44-yard line. DeWitt looked like they were going to turn the turnover into a lead and had a third-and-2 play from Warren’s 5-yard line. Graham was hit in the backfield but carried defenders passed the first down marker. However, the Lumberjack defense forced a fumble and recovered it at their own 2-yard line.
The first pass of the drive was tipped but Tayshawn Edwards caught it and ran out to the Warren 28-yard line to give them some breathing room. Later in the drive Warren fumbled, but Walker West recovered to keep the Jacks in possession. The Jacks drove down to the Dragons’ 37-yard line and faced a fourth-and-7 with 1:29 remaining. Coach Bo Hembree went for it and dialed up a pass to Steen for 8 yards and the game-clinching first down. After a couple of kneel downs the final score was in favor of Warren 28-26.
Up Next
Warren is set to take on Monticello in the Saline River Shootout next Friday (Oct. 3). Kickoff from Monticello is set for 7 p.m.
