WARREN — Warren ran one play from its own territory in the first half Friday night, en route to a big home win.
The Lumberjacks defeated White Hall 46-14 at James E. Hurley Jr. Stadium for their first win of the season.
Warren Head Coach Bo Hembree said his defense kept the Bulldogs in check.
“I thought (White Hall) came out with some different formations they didn’t show last week against Sheridan,” Hembree said. “They came out in some two-tight stuff and tried to pound at us because we’re so small up front. I thought our kids just kept battling and found a way to get off the field.”
White Hall (0-2) opened the game with an onside kick attempt, which the Lumberjacks (1-1) recovered at their own 49-yard line. Tramond Miller picked up 10 yards on the first play, and Warren would not snap the ball from its own territory again before halftime.
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The Bulldogs threw interceptions on each of their first two possessions, then punted on their next three. Warren’s Neondre Thomas returned the first two punts into White Hall territory, and Anthony Ross partially blocked the third.
Hembree said Warren’s punt returners caused the field position edge.
“They’re dynamic,” Hembree said. “Who are you going to kick it to back there, (Antonio Jordan) or (Thomas)? That’s something that we have. I think (Jordan) only had two catches tonight, and we still scored that many points. I don’t know if (Thomas) had a catch. Last week, both of them went for right at 200 yards receiving.”
Warren took full advantage of its starting field positions, scoring on every first-half drive but one. The Lumberjacks fumbled at the White Hall 1-yard line on their second drive, but Josiah Steen intercepted a deflected pass three plays later at the 18-yard line.
White Hall threw a third interception on its opening drive of the second half. Warren drove down and attempted a field goal, but the kick was low and bounced off the linemen. After a scramble, White Hall’s Davion Roshell scooped it up and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown, ending the shutout.
The Bulldogs scored their lone offensive touchdown on their final drive when Xavier Wallace ran it in from 8 yards out. He carried the ball seven times on that drive and finished the game with 97 yards on 17 carries.
Warren quarterback Cam Burks threw for 191 yards and three touchdowns, each going to a different receiver. Miller led with four catches for 110 yards, all in the first half.
Burks has been pressed into service at quarterback after Warren’s original starter, Jackson Denton, was injured last week. He said he has been able to shift into this role thanks to watching Denton play last season.
“I’ve always looked at Jackson and seen what he done and repped that in my head a thousand times,” Burks said. “I got a chance this week to do that.”
White Hall quarterback Wyatt Golden throws the ball against Warren on Friday. (Special to the Commercial/William Harvey)