The 2026 football season has provided valuable varsity experience for a young Warren Lumberjack squad, and Head Coach Bo Hembree believes that experience could help shape the program’s future.
Speaking during his weekly interview on The Johnny’s Radiator and More Bo Show, Hembree discussed the number of underclassmen contributing to the Lumberjacks this season and the opportunities they have received to develop against some of the state’s most competitive teams.
According to Hembree, nine of the 15 players who saw action on offense against Stuttgart last Friday were sophomores.
“I don’t think we’ve ever played nine sophomores on offense since I’ve been here,” Hembree said.
The young lineup includes players contributing along the offensive line, at running back, at quarterback and at receiver.
Injuries to several experienced players have given Warren’s underclassmen opportunities to take on substantial responsibilities earlier in their varsity careers than originally anticipated.
Hembree explained that the transition to varsity football presents new challenges, but the experience those players are receiving could become increasingly valuable.
Unlike some larger programs that regularly field junior varsity teams, Warren has had limited opportunities to provide younger players with that additional level of competition this season.
Instead, many of the Lumberjacks’ sophomores have gained experience directly on Friday nights.
Hembree drew an interesting comparison between his current team and Stuttgart, which defeated Warren 45-16 last week.
The Ricebirds entered the matchup as one of Arkansas’s highly regarded teams, featuring an experienced lineup that has developed over multiple seasons.
Hembree recalled Stuttgart visiting Warren in 2023 with a team that also relied heavily on sophomore players.
He suggested the Ricebirds’ development since that time illustrates what additional experience and maturity can mean for a football program.
The Lumberjacks have also relied on a young defensive lineup this fall.
Hembree said only three seniors played defensively against Stuttgart, with underclassmen accounting for the remainder of the unit.
Despite the loss, the coach saw several encouraging moments from his defense and believes the group can continue making progress.
He noted that younger players can still make significant strides late in the season as they become more comfortable with their responsibilities and gain a better understanding of the game.
“Young guys can get better,” Hembree said.
That belief is particularly important for a Warren team with meaningful football still ahead of it this fall.
The Lumberjacks have already demonstrated their potential this season, including a 17-7 conference victory over rival Monticello and an impressive 49-21 road win at Star City.
Hembree hopes the combination of continued development and the anticipated return of several experienced players will help Warren finish the regular season on a positive note.
While the experience being gained this year could benefit the program in future seasons, the coach emphasized that his team remains focused on the opportunities immediately ahead.
For Warren’s young players, those opportunities begin Friday night on the road against Watson Chapel.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
