MALVERN, Ark. — Warren spent much of Friday night showing exactly how quickly a football game can change when an offense has players capable of creating something explosive.
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Three times, Jackson Denton connected with Josiah Steen for touchdowns. All three covered at least 40 yards. And each seemed to arrive at a moment when Malvern had either gained some footing or threatened to make Warren uncomfortable.
By the time the Lumberjacks finally put the game away with JaKoby Avery’s bruising 34-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter, Warren had done enough damage to leave Malvern with a 38-21 victory and a 1-0 start to the 2026 season.
It was a night in which Warren repeatedly answered whatever Malvern managed to throw its way.
The Lumberjacks won the opening coin toss and deferred, sending their defense onto the field first. Malvern began at its own 34, but Warren set an early tone defensively and forced a punt on the opening series. Josiah Steen returned the kick to the Lumberjack 49.
Warren’s first offensive possession ended on downs, but the defense immediately responded.
Defensive lineman Kannon Lambert recorded a sack at the 7:30 mark, and less than a minute later the Lumberjack offense produced its first explosive play of the season.
Denton dropped a deep pass down the right sideline to Steen, who hauled it in for a 40-yard touchdown with 6:41 remaining in the opening quarter. Sophomore Emanuel Pahuamba converted the extra point to give Warren a 7-0 lead.
Malvern answered with a scoring drive of its own.
The Leopards’ quarterback broke free on a long scramble to the Warren 13 before eventually scoring on a designed 6-yard quarterback draw with 2:28 remaining. The extra point tied the game at 7.
Warren needed barely more than a minute to take the lead back.
Starting from its own 40, the Lumberjacks moved quickly down the field with an efficient passing attack before sophomore tailback JaKoby Avery finished the drive with a 7-yard touchdown run.
Pahuamba’s extra point made it 14-7 with 1:05 remaining in the first quarter.
Malvern put together a lengthy drive in the second quarter and tied the game again on a 2-yard touchdown run with 3:25 left before halftime.
The tie lasted only 34 seconds.
On Warren’s next possession, Denton looked deep toward the right side and lofted a well-placed pass to Steen for a 53-yard touchdown with 2:51 remaining.
Pahuamba added the extra point, and Warren was back in front 21-14.
The Lumberjack defense then gave the offense another opportunity before the break.
DeAngelo Herron recorded a sack during Malvern’s next possession, helping Warren force a punt with 1:14 remaining.
Warren capitalized.
With 45 seconds left in the half, Denton found Steen on a crossing route underneath the Malvern zone. Steen broke a pair of tackles, cut back across the field and raced to the end zone for a 65-yard touchdown.
What began as a short completion became one of the biggest plays of the night.
Pahuamba converted again, and Warren carried a 28-14 lead into halftime.
The Lumberjacks continued to move the ball when they received the second-half kickoff.
Warren drove deep into Malvern territory before Pahuamba capped the possession with a well-struck 27-yard field goal, extending the lead to 31-14.
The sophomore kicker was steady throughout his varsity season opener, converting the field goal and all five of his extra-point attempts.
Malvern later had an opportunity to cut into the deficit, but a 28-yard field-goal attempt went left of the upright with 3:56 remaining in the third quarter.
Warren’s defense came up with another major play early in the fourth.
Malvern was driving with 10:41 remaining when Xavion Miller read the play, undercut a pass and intercepted it, giving the Lumberjacks possession at their own 22.
Warren soon created another takeaway on special teams.
Malvern muffed a Lumberjack punt near midfield, and Ty Hembree recovered it for Warren.
The Leopards eventually managed to cut the lead to 31-21 on a 35-yard touchdown pass with 5:40 remaining, but Warren again had an answer.
This time, it came on the ground.
With 2:43 remaining, Avery ran through the Malvern defense and broke free for a hard-nosed 34-yard touchdown, effectively putting the game away.
Pahuamba added the extra point for the final 38-21 margin.
Avery finished the night with two rushing touchdowns, giving Warren a strong complement to an explosive passing game.
The Denton-to-Steen connection provided the biggest fireworks.
Their three touchdown plays covered 40, 53 and 65 yards — 158 yards on scoring receptions alone. Steen showed the ability to stretch the field vertically and create after the catch, while Denton repeatedly delivered accurate throws in key moments.
Warren also received important contributions from throughout its defense.
Lambert and Herron each recorded sacks, Miller came away with the fourth-quarter interception, and the Lumberjacks consistently found ways to make impact plays when Malvern attempted to build momentum.
Pahuamba’s performance added another encouraging element to the opener. The sophomore was perfect on extra points and confidently converted Warren’s lone field-goal attempt.
For a team taking the field for the first time in 2026, there was plenty for Warren to build on.
The Lumberjacks showed explosive potential through the air, physicality in the running game and the ability to generate timely plays defensively and on special teams.
Most of all, they showed an ability to respond.
Malvern tied the game twice in the first half. Warren answered both times.
The Leopards made a late push in the fourth quarter. Warren answered again.
And when the Lumberjacks needed one final drive to close the door, Avery supplied it.
Warren left Malvern 1-0 and will remain on the road next Friday when the Lumberjacks travel to Fountain Lake.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
