Warren gets healthy at right time

Warren started 0-3, but the Lumberjacks are just one game away from playing for a state championship.

Warren (9-3) can return to the state final for the first time since 2006 with a victory Friday night at home over Valley View (12-1) in the semifinals of the Class 4A playoffs.

“It was tough early in the season because we had so many injuries,” Warren Coach Bo Hembree said. “But we’re much more healthy now and playing well.”

Warren may have been at its best in a 31-24 quarterfinal victory over previously unbeaten Arkadelphia on Nov. 29. The Badgers had owned the top spot in Class 4A since the Lumberjacks began their September slide following losses to Class 7A Fayetteville (35-21), Class 5A Pulaski Academy (42-30) and Class 5A Camden Fairview (32-7).

The difference against Arkadelphia may have been senior quarterback Drake Jones, who was questionable because of a lower leg injury. Instead, Jones completed 19 of 31 passes for 325 yards and 3 touchdowns and ran 10 times for 36 yards and another score.

“Drake played well,” Hembree said. “It was good to have him in there.”

Warren, ranked No. 2 in Class 4A, is rich at the skill positions.

Junior wide receiver Darveon Brown has caught 43 passes for 775 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Senior wide receiver Von Eric Gonder has caught 42 passes for 619 yards and 7 touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Jaylon Marshall has 29 receptions for 668 yards and 7 touchdowns. All three are college recruiting prospects.

Valley View has rebounded from a 14-10 loss at Gosnell in the regular- season finale to beat Gravette (357), Prairie Grove (14-12) and Maumelle (37-17) in the playoffs.

The Blazers, ranked No. 4 in Class 4A, were without senior quarterback Noah Johns against Gosnell (ankle). But Johns completed 20 of 27 passes for 193 yards and 3 touchdowns against Maumelle.

Valley View’s top offensive threat is senior tailback Jaeger Sullins, who played quarterback in Johns’ absence. Sullins ran 40 times for 235 yards and 2 touchdowns against Prairie Grove, then ran for 134 yards and returned a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown against Maumelle.

“He’s a really good player,” Hembree said. “Valley View is big up front. It’s going to be a big challenge for our defense to stop them.”

In the schools’ only meeting, Warren beat Valley View 48-20 in a first-round playoff game at home in 2011. The Blazers, who are moving to Class 5A in the 2014-2016 cycle, are trying to reach their first state final since beginning varsity football in 2006.

Hembree led Warren to state championships in 2001 and 2002.