The Warren Lumberjacks continued their impressive run in the 8-4A conference, defeating the Star City Bulldogs 41-7 in a game that featured a historic coaching matchup. Head coach Bo Hembree faced off against his former player, Star City coach Nelson, for the first time, adding an extra layer of excitement to an already significant contest.
With both teams entering the game with 4-2 overall records, Warren stood undefeated at 3-0 in conference play, while Star City sought to improve its 1-2 conference standing. The anticipation was palpable as the Lumberjacks kicked off at 7 p.m. under the lights at Bulldog Stadium.
The Bulldogs started strong, recovering a pooch kick after a muffed reception, but their early drive stalled, and they turned the ball over on a fumble. Warren capitalized on the turnover, with quarterback Cam Burks connecting with Antonio Jordan for a 37-yard touchdown pass, putting the Lumberjacks ahead 7-0 in the first quarter.
Star City struggled to find its rhythm, facing penalties and turnovers that hindered their offense. A missed opportunity in the second quarter saw them throw an interception in the end zone, further sealing their fate. Despite their efforts, the Bulldogs couldn’t penetrate the Lumberjacks' strong defense.
Warren extended its lead to 13-0 just before halftime with Burks rushing for a one-yard touchdown, following a crucial 66-yard reception from Jordan that set up the score. The Lumberjacks went into the break with momentum and confidence.
The second half proved to be a showcase for Warren's explosive offense. Just a minute into the third quarter, Burks threw a stunning 56-yard touchdown pass to Miller, bringing the score to 20-0. The Bulldogs’ night turned disastrous when they fumbled the ensuing kickoff, allowing Warren to recover at the Star City 37-yard line. Burks quickly struck again, finding Miller for another score, making it 27-0.
As the “mercy rule” came into effect due to the Lumberjacks' dominant performance, they continued to pile on the points. Running back Aaron Davis capped off a series of strong runs with a 23-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 35-0. Star City finally broke through with a touchdown late in the third quarter, but it was too little, too late.
Warren concluded the game with a final touchdown from Davis, securing the 41-7 victory. With this win, the Lumberjacks improved to 5-2 overall and remained undefeated in conference play, showcasing their strength as they head into next week’s matchup against the Stuttgart Ricebirds.
