Not surprisingly, Warren defensive coordinator Clark Watkins said he can see a lot of himself in the team's most versatile player, senior Hayden Lassiter.
Like Watkins did in the early 1990s at Fordyce, Lassiter flourished at quarterback and safety in high school.
Like Watkins, Lassiter wore No. 15.
And like Watkins, Lassiter went out a state champion as Warren completed a perfect season with a 54-37 victory over Pea Ridge in the Class 4A final on a frosty Friday night at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
Lassiter earned MVP honors after rushing 13 times for 64 yards and 1 touchdown, completing 10 of 12 passes for 208 yards and 1 touchdown, recording 7 unassisted tackles and intercepting a pass.
"Just to bring this title back to Warren, it just means everything," a teary-eyed Lassiter said. "You grow up as a little kid, seeing everybody else win three state championships. The seniors graduating two years ago showed us the way. It's everything. I'm at a loss for words."
Watkins led Fordyce to Class AA state championships in 1990 and 1991. His interception in the closing minutes against Pine Bluff Dollarway in the 1991 final at War Memorial Stadium secured a 12-8 victory, ending the nation's longest winning streak at 51 games.
Lassiter, correctly reading a trick play on a wide receiver pass, parlayed an interception at the Warren 33 on the first play of the fourth quarter into a 1-yard touchdown run, and a commanding 47-25 lead with 5:24 remaining.
"I see a lot of myself, but I'm better," Watkins said with a laugh. "There ain't no doubt, that dude's good, man. He coaches the field. He knows what to do before we even tell him. It's a blessing."
Lassiter, 6-0, 175 pounds, already had state championships in golf on his resume after earning medalist honors as a junior and senior.
Lassiter rarely left the field Friday in Warren's pursuit of its fourth state championship since 2001 -- all under Bo Hembree -- and second in three years.
Lassiter held for extra-point attempts, returned kickoffs, made tackles on kickoff returns and was used as a middle "wedge buster" late in the game, Hembree said.
"How many quarterbacks go do that?" Hembree said following his 176th career victory and second 15-0 season. "He's unbelievable. I'm going to miss him. Great athlete. He can do anything we ask him to do."
Pea Ridge Coach Stephen Neal said he was impressed with Warren's imposing defensive front, then singled out Lassiter as a difference-maker in the game.
"He's the one that makes it go," Neal said. "Anybody who has watched their games this year knows he's the one that makes it go."
Sports on 12/10/2016