WARREN, Ark. — As the Warren Lumberjacks prepare to open the Class 4A State Playoffs Friday night against Heber Springs, Head Coach Bo Hembree is encouraged by the progress his defense has made in recent weeks, with returning veterans and an expanding defensive playbook helping the unit find its footing at an important point in the season.
The Lumberjacks have navigated their share of challenges throughout the 2026 campaign, including injuries that have required adjustments on both sides of the football. But as Warren enters postseason competition, Hembree believes the defense is beginning to show signs of significant improvement.
“I think we are really better over there,” Hembree said during the Johnny’s Radiator and More Bo Show earlier this week.
Much of that progress has come as Warren has gradually added more options to its defensive approach. With experienced players returning to the secondary, the coaching staff has been able to expand its coverage packages, giving the Lumberjacks additional ways to challenge opposing offenses.
Among those returning are seniors Tayshawn Edwards and Josiah “JoJo” Steen, both three-year starters who bring valuable experience to Warren’s defensive backfield.
Steen, who had been sidelined since suffering an injury against Fountain Lake in early September, returned to game action in Warren’s regular-season finale against Crossett. Edwards has also worked his way back into the lineup, giving the Lumberjacks another experienced presence in the secondary.
Their return has helped Warren build on the defensive work done throughout the season, allowing the coaching staff to introduce additional coverages and make greater use of the team’s experience.
Meanwhile, several other Lumberjacks have played important roles in the defense’s development.
Senior linebacker Tucker McDiarmid has been a steady presence for Warren throughout the season. Hembree specifically recognized McDiarmid among the seniors who have remained consistent contributors despite the injuries and lineup changes the team has experienced.
Like Edwards and Steen, McDiarmid is a multi-sport athlete, with all three seniors bringing experience from competition beyond the football field. Their athletic versatility and years of competition have made them valuable members of Warren’s senior class.
Few players to come through Warren in recent memory have embodied a nose-to-the-grindstone mentality quite like McDiarmid. His relentless work ethic, toughness, and dependability have made him an invaluable presence in the Lumberjack defense. He is the kind of football player a teammate would want beside him when the game is on the line, someone who can be counted on to give everything he has and have the backs of those around him.
Up front, freshman defensive lineman Kannon Lambert has been a disruptive force for opposing offenses throughout the year. Despite being in his first season of high school football, Lambert has established himself as a significant contributor along Warren’s defensive front, regularly creating problems for opponents.
His impressive freshman campaign recently earned him a place on the Prep Redzone Arkansas Freshman All-State Team, recognition of a young player who has already made a considerable impact for the Lumberjacks.
Another exciting young contributor has been sophomore cornerback Hayden Hampton, whose athleticism and confidence have made him a player to watch in Warren’s secondary. Hampton appears to have a natural feel for the cornerback position, combining his physical abilities with the confidence necessary to compete against opposing receivers. His future looks particularly bright, and given his athletic ability, it would not be surprising to see Hampton eventually make an impact on both sides of the football.
The contributions of McDiarmid, Lambert, Hampton, and others, combined with the return of experienced defenders, have helped Warren continue building toward the postseason.
Hembree explained that the process of expanding the defensive playbook has unfolded over several weeks, with the staff introducing new elements as the team has continued to develop.
Against Stuttgart, Warren operated with a relatively basic defensive approach. The Lumberjacks then introduced additional coverages against Watson Chapel before expanding their options again in the regular-season finale against Crossett.
That progression has continued in practice this week as Warren prepares for its first-round playoff opponent.
The improvements have also benefited Warren’s defensive front, where players like Lambert have already been making their presence felt throughout the season.
Hembree explained that stronger coverage in the secondary has given the defensive line additional opportunities to pressure opposing quarterbacks. With receivers taking longer to get open, Warren’s pass rush has been better positioned to disrupt plays in the backfield.
That combination was particularly encouraging during last Thursday’s 49-26 victory over Crossett.
The Lumberjacks generated pressure on Eagles quarterback Cash Forrest, helping disrupt Crossett’s passing attack and contributing to several important defensive stops.
“I thought we played hard the other night,” Hembree said.
The Warren coach was pleased with the effort and believes the defense has continued to build on the experience gained throughout the season.
That development will be especially important Friday night when the Lumberjacks welcome a Heber Springs team featuring a challenging passing attack.
The Panthers enter the postseason with a 7-3 record and an offense led by a talented sophomore quarterback.
Hembree praised the young signal caller’s accuracy and ability to make plays when forced outside the pocket. Heber Springs also features a group of skilled receivers who have helped the Panthers produce points throughout the season.
“They’re extremely talented,” Hembree said.
For Warren, the challenge will be combining an effective pass rush with disciplined coverage in the secondary.
Hembree emphasized the importance of pressuring the Panthers’ quarterback while making sure receivers remain covered when plays extend beyond their initial design.
“We got to get him off his spot,” Hembree said.
The matchup will provide an important opportunity for Warren to demonstrate its defensive growth.
Hembree acknowledged that the Lumberjacks have faced difficulties against strong passing offenses this season, including in losses to Fountain Lake, Sheridan, Hamburg, and Stuttgart. However, he believes recent performances offer encouraging signs that the defense is moving in the right direction.
The return of Edwards, Steen, and other experienced players has provided additional flexibility, while the contributions of McDiarmid, Lambert, Hampton, and players throughout the defensive lineup have helped Warren continue developing its identity.
Hembree is particularly encouraged by the team’s growing ability to mix coverages, something he believes will be important against the Panthers.
“I think we’re getting better at doing that,” Hembree said.
After a regular season marked by lineup adjustments and challenges, Warren now enters the playoffs with an opportunity to build on the progress it has made.
The Lumberjacks have won their final two regular-season games, and Hembree believes the team is better positioned defensively than it was just a few weeks ago.
Friday night’s game against Heber Springs will provide the next test for a Warren defense that continues to develop as the postseason begins.
The Lumberjacks will host the Panthers Friday, November 13, in the opening round of the Class 4A State Playoffs.
