The game Hamburg Coach Mike Cox has talked about for months is almost here. Friday night at Campbell Field, Hamburg hosts Warren in a game that will decide the 8-4A title and the conference’s top seed in the playoffs.
“All we wanted was a chance to play Warren in Week 9 for the conference championship,” Cox said. “We’re a lot better team this year.”
Hamburg (7-1, 5-0 8-4A) is seeking its first conference championship since claiming the AAA-Southeast crown in 1997. Warren (5-3, 5-0) is riding a five-game winning streak after going winless in a brutal nonconference schedule.
Warren’s first three opponents, Class 7A Fayetteville and Class 5A Camden Fairview and Pulaski Academy,are a combined 23-1 this fall. All have been ranked in the overall Top 10.
“I thought we were in every game,” said Lumberjacks Coach Bo Hembree, whose team began the season ranked No. 1 in Class 4A. “We just couldn’t catch a break. We turned the ball over and had some injuries.”
But Hembree said Warren is healthy now, and it shows on the scoreboard. Warren has outscored its conference opponents by a combined 237-47, including 181-20 in the first half.
Senior quarterback Drake Jones, who was slowed earlier this year with an ankle injury, has completed 72 of 117 passes for 1,336 yards and 17 touchdowns this fall. Jones also has run 43 times for 283 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Junior tailback Kilay Cox, who is approaching 3,000 career rushing yards, missed most of September because of a foot injury. But he has 135 yards on just 12 carries the last two weeks.
Warren’s deep receiving corps features junior Darveon Brown (29 receptions), senior Von Eric Gonder (27) and junior Jaylon Marshall (23). Brown (9) and Marshall (6) have combined for 15 touchdown receptions.
“I think both have a chance to play on the next level,” Hembree said.
Hamburg counters with one of the top defenses in Class 4A. The Lions are allowing just 158.1 total yards per game and have five shutouts. Hamburg didn’t allow a first down in a 61-0 victory over Lake Village on Oct. 18.
Senior safety Drew Perry had 4 pass breakups and 2 interceptions, returning one 55 yards for a touchdown, in last week’s 27-22 victory at Crossett.
Cox credited first-year defensive coordinator Kevin Youngblood for much of the success. Youngblood held the same title last year at Stuttgart, which won the Class 4A state championship.
“Coach Youngblood has always seemed to come up with the right answer to every question,” Cox said.
Friday’s winner will earn home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Warren Lumberjacks vs. Hamburg Lions
WHEN 7 p.m. Friday WHERE Campbell Field, Hamburg COACHES Warren (Bo Hembree, 14th season, 134-37-1); Hamburg (Mike Cox, fourth season, 16-13) CONFERENCE 8-4A RECORDS Warren (5-3, 5-0 8-4A); Hamburg (7-1, 5-0) RANKINGS Warren is ranked No. 5 in Class 4A; Hamburg is No. 4 in Class 4A PLAYERS TO WATCH Warren (QB Drake Jones, 6-0, 200, Sr.); Hamburg (OG/DE Justin Martin, 6-5, 275, Sr.)
NOTEWORTHY Warren won last year’s meeting, 45-23. … The winner will earn at least a share of the 8-4A title, a No. 1 playoff seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. … Warren Coach Bo Hembree is 12-1 against Hamburg, with his only loss, 7-6, coming in 2009. … Warren junior tailback Kilay Cox has carried 397 times for 2,803 yards and 35 touchdowns in his career. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a freshman and sophomore. … Hembree said Warren is still seeking a Week 1 opponent in the 2014-2016 cycle. Warren will play Stuttgart in Week 2 and Pulaski Academy in Week 3. … Hamburg Coach Mike Cox was 61-8 in 2006-2010 at Class 2A Bearden. The Bears advanced to the state championship game in 2007 and 2009. … Hamburg has won seven games for the first time since 2006 this fall.
Sports, Pages 22 on 10/31/2013