From the moment Warren Central opted for a game-opening onside kick, it was clear there would be no love lost in the 26th meeting between Lawrence Central and Warren Central
After recovering the onside kick, the Warriors marched down the field to strike first thanks to a goal-line plunge from defensive lineman JJ Finch.
Following a Lawrence Central three-and-out, it was running back Keyon Thomas’ turn to find the end zone as the junior plowed his way forward to put the Warriors up two scores early. The uncommitted 6-foot back would find paydirt twice more throughout the night to bring his season total to nine as the Warriors went on to win 31-21.
“I’m just very impressed by my O-Line,” Thomas said. “They executed (well) and came into the week prepared.”
It was not all perfect for the Warriors, though. After jumping out to a 14-0 start, the two teams exchanged turnovers and failed fourth-down conversions, with linebacker Freddy Brown shining bright on the Lawrence Central defense with two crucial fumble recoveries.
As the first half wound down to an end, quarterback Santana Allen was finally able to connect with Antonio Williams to get the Bears on the scoreboard.
The Bears would strike again midway through the third quarter with a 69-yard touchdown on a screen pass by running back Al Gooden III, who showed his ability to run hard both in and out of the box all night.
With Allen and Williams connecting once more before the final period of play, it was Thomas’ third and final touchdown that would help seal the game for the Warriors to go up 28-21 before Jermaine Ellery would ice it for good with a made field goal in the final minutes of the game.
This win marks three in a row for Warren Central as they take on Ben Davis next week, while Lawrence Central travels to Pike.
“(We’re) feeling great,” Thomas said. “Honestly, under Coach Whit, I’m feeling like we have a chance this season… (Personally), I want to finish the season with 1,500 yards and the touchdowns will come when they come.”