WHITE HALL, Ark. – Lumberjack fans witnessed an electrifying showdown on Friday night, as the Warren Lumberjacks clashed with the White Hall Bulldogs in what turned out to be a heart-stopping thriller, with the orange and black sealing a 34-27 victory in the final minute of play.
This non-conference bout marked the second game of the season for both teams and was the final non-conference contest in the regular season for the Lumberjacks.
Top photo: Neeyo Harding(20), Antonio Jordan(2), and Tramond Miller(3) celebrate with Kam Davis(9) after Davis’s 94 yard kickoff return in the first quarter of Warren’s win over White Hall Friday night.
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First Quarter:
The game kicked off in stunning fashion as the Warren Lumberjacks received the opening kickoff. Speedster Kam Davis wasted no time, found a seam, hit the edge, turned on the afterburners, and took the first kick off the game back to the house. It was a 94 yard return. Alann Juarez’s extra point was good, giving Warren a 7-0 lead, with less than 15 seconds gone in the game.
White Hall began their first drive at their 23-yard line, and they found early success in their ground game, advancing all the way to the Warren 30-yard line of the back of Air Force commit Jaden Smith at tailback. Just when it seemed like Warren might halt their progress, White Hall executed a perfect slant route on 4th and 8 from the 15-yard line, resulting in a touchdown. The game was now tied at 7-7.
On the ensuing kickoff, disaster struck for Warren as they fumbled, and White Hall recovered the ball at the Warren 21-yard line. Within moments, White Hall capitalized on the turnover, finding the end zone with a 21-yard rushing touchdown, seizing a 13-7 lead after a missed extra point.
Warren’s next drive ended in a punt, but their defense stepped up when it mattered most. With 2:43 remaining in the quarter, White Hall found themselves facing a critical 4th and 1 situation. The Bulldogs fumbled, and Warren’s Cam Burks swooped in for the recovery, denying White Hall a chance to extend their lead.
After regaining possession, Warren’s offense started to click. A crucial pass over the middle found Antonio Jordan, and the Lumberjacks were knocking on the door to close out the first period of action.
Second Quarter:
The second quarter continued with Warren’s offense driving deep into White Hall territory. With the ball at the White Hall 19-yard line and facing a 4th and 7, Antonio Jordan made a jaw-dropping one-handed catch at the 5-yard line. However, the Lumberjacks fumbled on the ensuing play, and White Hall recovered at their own 2-yard line, thwarting a potential scoring drive.
White Hall attempted to march down the field from deep within their territory but faced a resilient Warren defense, led by the likes of Neeyo Harding, Ervin Rivera, and Luis Woods to name just a few. With 11:39 left in the quarter, Warren’s Cody Weatherspoon recovered a fumble at the Warren 32-yard line, a pivotal play that prevented White Hall from extending their lead. It wouldn’t be Weatherspoon’s last crucial contribution on the night.
Warren took over from their own 35-yard line and, led by quarterback Jackson Denton, orchestrated a beautiful 65-yard touchdown pass to Kam Davis, tying the game at 13-13. Unfortunately, an issue with the extra point hold kept Warren from taking the lead.
Halftime arrived with the scoreboard deadlocked at 13-13, setting the stage for a second half battle.
Third Quarter:
The third quarter unfolded as a scoreless stalemate, with both teams’ defenses proving their mettle. The tension continued to mount as the game remained tied heading into the final quarter.
Fourth Quarter:
The final quarter opened with a bang as Jackson Denton connected on a 41-yard pass to Kam Davis, setting the Lumberjacks up for a go-ahead touchdown. With 11:47 on the clock, Denton found Antonio Jordan with a perfectly executed right-sided out route. Juarez’s extra point was good, giving Warren a 20-13 lead.
White Hall responded with lightning pace. The Bulldogs put it in the hands of their talisman, Smith. On the first play of the drive Smith carried it 80-yards for a touchdown. Smith had a monstrous night for White Hall, rushing for 298 yards and two touchdowns. The game was tied once again at 20-20.
The pendulum swung in Warren’s favor yet again, with Denton connecting on the very next drive with Tramond Miller through the air. At the 10:19 mark, Denton hit Miller once more. This time it was over the middle for a touchdown, restoring Warren’s lead at 27-20 after Juarez’s successful extra point.
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With 9:24 remaining, Warren defensive standout Neeyo Harding delivered a sack, pushing White Hall back to their own 29-yard line. However, the Bulldogs fought back, managing to convert a key pass for a first down. With 4:44 left, White Hall punched in a 1-yard rushing touchdown, tying the game at 27-27.
Warren took over at their own 40-yard line with 4:36 to go, but they couldn’t convert on 4th and 5 from the White Hall 35-yard line, turning the ball over on downs.
White Hall had one last opportunity to snatch the victory, starting their drive from their own 35-yard line. However, Warren’s defense came up huge. A deflected pass drifted into the hands of Lumberjack linebacker Cody Weatherspoon. He made the interception and was able to get enough of a return to set Warren up inside the red zone with just 46 seconds left on the clock.
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In the dying seconds of the game, Antonio Jordan sealed the deal for Warren with a 2-yard rushing touchdown off the right tackle. Juarez’s extra point was good.
White Hall did get the ball back with one last ditch effort, but Warren’s Tramond Miller picked off the final pass of the game. The Lumberjacks emerged victorious, 34-27.
Final Stats:
Rushing:
Treylon Jackson: 7 carries, 27 yards
Antonio Jordan: 2 carries, 6 yards, 1 touchdown
Passing:
Jackson Denton: 19 of 28, 282 yards, 3 touchdowns
Receiving:
Tramond Miller: 9 catches, 111 yards, 1 touchdown
Neon’dre Thomas: 5 catches, 27 yards
Antonio Jordan: 3 catches, 44 yards, 1 touchdown
Kam Davis: 2 catches, 96 yards, 1 touchdown
Treylon Jackson: 1 catch, 4 yards
Warren moves to 2-0 on the season. They are off with a bye week next, but will be back in action September 15 as they open 8-4A Conference play at home vs. Star City. That game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. at Jim Hurley, Jr. Stadium on the Warren School District campus.
Game states were provided courtesy of David King.