Lumberjacks Rock In 4A Final

For the sixth time since 2001, the Warren Lumberjacks visited War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock to compete for a state football championship.  For the fourth time, the Jacks brought home the championship trophy defeating Pea Ridge 54-37.  Warren won in 2001 and 2002, lost in a controversial double overtime game in 2006 and a very close game in 2013, then won again in 2014 and now in 2016. As in 2001, the Jacks finished undefeated.

Will Woodard was awarded the Burlsworth Award following his outstanding performance on the line.

State Farm Agent Joey Cathey was present when Warren quarterback Hayden Lasiter was named
State Farm MVP of the Game.

 A large crowd from Warren was on hand as the Lumberjacks played host as the home team.  The Warren team and fans were located on the west side of the stadium.  The fans were very loud in their support of the Jacks.  The cheerleaders and the band performed well.

Dennis Daniels scores for the Jacks!

Warren received the opening kickoff after Pea Ridge won the toss and deferred to the second half.  Keemontrae McKnight returned the kick to the 39-yard line.  Running the ball effectively, the Lumberjacks scored on a six-yard touchdown run by Dennis Daniels at the 8:38 mark of the first quarter.  The extra point was missed.  It should be noted that the goal posts at War Memorial are more narrow than standard high school goals.  Both sides had trouble making extra points early.

On the ensuing kick off, Keemontrae recovered a fumble, and the Lumberjacks got the ball back at the the Pea Ridge 26-yard line.  Moments later, Warren fumbled it back to Pea Ridge at the 15.

Byron Person turns on the speed.

In the second quarter Pea Ridge got on the scoreboard with an eight-yard run.  They missed the PAT.  Hayden Lassiter then threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to McKnight.  Again, the point after was missed.  After recovering an onside kick attempt by Warren, Pea Ridge scored on a 40-yard pass that was well covered but executed perfectly.  The try for two points was no good.  With 3:38 left in the quarter, Dennis Daniels ran in for a touchdown from four yards, and the extra point by Sergio Yepes was good. The Lumberjacks took a 19-12 lead.  The Blackhawks then returned the kickoff 77 yards for a TD and made the point after to tie the game at 19-19.  The Lumberjacks drove the ball past midfield but turned it over on downs.  Warren's defense then made a big play as Treylon Burks forced a fumble, and De'Vonta Brown recovered at the Pea Ridge 22.  With 39 seconds remaining,  Daniels scored from the four, and Yepes made the PAT for a 26-19 halftime lead.

Keemontrae McKnight scores a touchdown for the Jacks.

The Jacks kicked off to begin the second half, and Pea Ridge drove down and scored on a three-yard run.  The extra point was missed, and Warren maintained a 26-25 lead.

With 4:45 left in the third, Byron Person scored on a 2-yard touchdown run, and with a successful point after by Yepes, Warren was ahead 33-25.  With 3:46 remaining in the third, Warren forced a Pea Ridge punt and  took over at their own 47.  With 16 seconds left in the quarter,  Daniels again scored on a two-yard run, and Yepes was good to up the score to 40-25 in Warren's favor.

Treylon Burks drives the ball into Black Hawk territory.

In the fourth quarter, Hayden Lassiter came up with a big interception at the Lumberjack 38-yard line.  With 5:24 left in the game, Lassiter ran in a one yard TD, and the point after by Yepes was successful to make the score 47-25, Warren.  After the kickoff Burks pick off a pass and returned it 14-yards for a touchdown.  Yepes again converted, and the Lumberjacks were ahead 54-25.  Pea Ridge then scored on an eight-yard run but  failed in the two point attempt.  They then recovered an onside kick and scored on a two-yard run but agin missed the two-point attempt to make the final 54-37.  The Jacks recovered another onside kick attempt and ran out the clock.

Hayden Lasiter keeps the ball while Dennis Daniels leads the way and prepares
block.

The Lumberjacks finished the season 15-0 and won the program's fourth state title since 2001.  Will Woodard was named the outstanding lineman and Hayden Lassiter was named the MVP of the 4A championship game.

Lasiter threw for 208 yards and a touchdown.  He was 10 out of 12 for the night.  He added 64 yards rushing with 13 carries and another score.  While playing the safety position, he intercepted a pass.  Hayden played both ways all night, only leaving the field for one play.

Dennis Daniels had 28 carries, 189 yards rushing, and four touchdowns.

Treylon Burks had three catches for 99 yards.

Keemontrae McKnight had five catches for 83 yards which included a touchdown.

If you want to see hundreds of other photos from the Championship game, go to Saline River Chronicle's facebook page.

#57 Will Woodard  played outstanding defense.