WARREN, Ark. — The Warren Lumberjacks are moving on.
Behind an explosive offensive performance, timely defensive takeaways, and a determined effort to protect their lead down the stretch, Warren defeated Heber Springs 35-28 Friday night, November 13, at Jim Hurley Jr. Stadium to advance to the second round of the Class 4A State Playoffs.
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The Lumberjacks were firing on all cylinders early, racing to a 21-0 advantage and building a commanding 35-14 lead in the third quarter. Quarterback Jackson Denton threw two first-quarter touchdown passes, running back Chris Alford Jr. delivered a pair of rushing scores and several explosive runs, and the Warren defense came up with big plays throughout the evening.
Heber Springs mounted a determined second-half comeback, turning what had appeared to be a comfortable Warren victory into a tense finish. But when the Panthers pulled within a touchdown in the closing minutes, the Lumberjacks secured a crucial onside kick and finished the job.
The victory improves Warren to 7-4 overall and sends the Lumberjacks into the second round of the state playoffs, where an undefeated Ozark team awaits.
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The Lumberjacks wasted little time establishing themselves.
Heber Springs won the opening coin toss and elected to receive, but a penalty left the Panthers beginning their first possession at their own 12-yard line. Warren immediately applied pressure, with Kingston Allen and Kannon Lambert combining for a sack on the opening play.
The Panthers eventually punted, and a poor kick handed Warren excellent field position at the Heber Springs 31.
Denton and the Lumberjack offense capitalized.
With 7:38 remaining in the first quarter, Denton found Josiah Steen on a 16-yard touchdown pass along a corner route, giving Warren its first points of the postseason. Emanuel Pahuamba added the extra point for a 7-0 advantage.
Heber Springs attempted to answer, moving the chains with the help of a Warren pass interference penalty. But with 4:24 remaining, Steen came through on the other side of the football, intercepting a Panther pass at the Warren 34.
Although the Lumberjacks went three-and-out on their next possession, their defense quickly returned the ball to the offense.
A Heber Springs punt followed, and Jacob Marshall returned the kick to the Warren 47.
Denton needed little time to strike again.
With 2:03 remaining in the opening quarter, the Warren quarterback connected on a 42-yard touchdown pass with Steen on a go route, stretching the Lumberjack lead to 14-0 following another successful Pahuamba extra point.
Warren’s defense continued to make life difficult for the Panthers in the second quarter.
At the 11:12 mark, Aiden Lewis broke up a Heber Springs fourth-down pass attempt, turning the ball over to Warren at its own 46.
The Lumberjacks marched into the red zone but were unable to finish the drive, surrendering possession on downs at the Panther 16 with 8:16 remaining before halftime.
Heber Springs responded with one of its biggest plays of the half, breaking a long run off left tackle that carried the Panthers all the way to the Warren 22.
For a moment, it appeared the visitors might finally break through.
Instead, Hayden Hampton delivered another momentum-changing play for the Lumberjack defense.
The sophomore cornerback intercepted a pass with 7:04 remaining and returned it near midfield. A personal foul against Heber Springs moved the ball even farther in Warren’s favor, allowing the Lumberjacks to take over at the Panther 38.
Warren made the takeaway count.
Alford finished the ensuing possession with a 2-yard touchdown run at the 5:37 mark. Pahuamba’s third successful extra point pushed the lead to 21-0.
The Panthers finally found the end zone with 1:34 remaining in the half, extending a passing play when their quarterback scrambled to buy time before connecting on a 10-yard touchdown.
Warren threatened to score once more before the break, but Heber Springs came up with a fourth-down stop in the final seconds.
The Lumberjacks carried a 21-7 advantage into halftime.
The opening minutes of the second half offered more of the same from Warren.
Heber Springs attempted an onside kick to begin the third quarter, but Warren’s Jax Calloway quickly secured the football.
Alford broke off another substantial run, and the Lumberjacks drove toward the goal line. With 10:23 remaining in the third, DeAngelo Herron powered across from a yard out for a touchdown.
Pahuamba’s extra point made it 28-7, restoring Warren’s three-touchdown advantage.
But the Panthers were beginning to find answers offensively.
At the 7:45 mark, Heber Springs connected on a 28-yard touchdown pass, trimming the deficit to 28-14.
Warren’s response came from Alford.
With 5:16 remaining in the third quarter, the Lumberjack running back exploded for a 59-yard gain, delivering one of the game’s most important offensive plays. Two snaps later, he finished the drive himself with a 1-yard touchdown run.
Pahuamba remained perfect on extra points, and Warren led 35-14.
At that stage, the Lumberjacks had scored five touchdowns and appeared firmly in command.
Heber Springs, however, was far from finished.
The Panthers struck again with 2:39 remaining in the third, completing a 4-yard touchdown pass to pull within 35-21.
Suddenly, a game Warren had controlled for much of the night was taking on a different complexion.
The fourth quarter became a battle of possession, field position and the clock.
Warren had an opportunity to extend its lead with 8:57 remaining, but a 33-yard field goal attempt was blocked, keeping Heber Springs within two touchdowns.
The Lumberjack defense responded with another critical stop.
With 7:11 remaining, Zavion Miller delivered a huge fourth-down tackle, giving Warren possession at the Panther 38. It was precisely the kind of play the Lumberjacks needed as Heber Springs threatened to make a serious comeback.
But Warren could not put the game away.
The Lumberjacks turned the football over on downs with 5:29 remaining, handing the Panthers another opportunity.
Heber Springs took advantage, assembling a determined drive that ended with a 6-yard touchdown pass at the 3:11 mark.
The extra point was good.
Warren 35, Heber Springs 28.
A three-touchdown lead had been reduced to seven points, and suddenly the entire game rested on the final minutes.
The Panthers attempted another onside kick, hoping to regain possession and complete the comeback.
Warren was ready.
The Lumberjacks recovered the kick and maintained possession, bleeding away the remaining time before taking a knee to officially secure the victory.
It was not the comfortable finish Warren might have envisioned when it led 35-14 late in the third quarter, but postseason football is ultimately measured by survival.
Warren’s offense provided plenty of highlights, particularly through Denton’s early passing success and Alford’s powerful running. The defense also delivered a series of timely plays, from the opening sack by Allen and Lambert to interceptions by Steen and Hampton and Miller’s fourth-quarter stop.
The Panthers deserve credit for refusing to surrender, particularly after falling behind by 21 points on multiple occasions. Their late rally tested Warren’s ability to close out a playoff game, and the Lumberjacks ultimately answered that challenge.
Now, the road becomes considerably more difficult.
Warren will travel to northern Arkansas next Friday, November 20, for a second-round matchup with undefeated Ozark, a team that put up a staggering 82 points against Ashdown in its opening-round playoff victory.
The Hillbillies will present a formidable challenge for a Warren team that has demonstrated both its explosive potential and its resilience.
But the Lumberjacks have earned another week together, another opportunity to compete, and another chance to extend a season that remains very much alive.
