Denton-Steen Connection Powers Warren Past Malvern 38-21

Warren 38, Malvern 21

Warren used three explosive touchdown passes from Jackson Denton to Josiah Steen and two scoring runs from JaKoby Avery to beat Malvern 38-21 Friday at Leopard Stadium.

Denton and Steen opened the scoring with a 40-yard touchdown at the 6:41 mark of the first quarter. Malvern answered when Brad Saling scored on a 9-yard run with 2:28 left. Warren regained the lead 83 seconds later when Avery finished a quick drive with a 7-yard run, sending the Lumberjacks into the second quarter ahead 14-7.

Malvern tied the game again with 3:25 remaining in the half. A long Saling run converted third-and-2 and moved the Leopards to the Warren 22. Saling later converted fourth-and-1, and Aaron Pinkston scored on a 2-yard quarterback sneak.

Warren responded in 34 seconds. Denton hit Steen for a 53-yard touchdown with 2:51 left, then the Lumberjacks forced a punt. With 45 seconds remaining, Steen caught a crossing route, broke tackles and completed a 65-yard touchdown, giving Warren a 28-14 halftime lead. Steen finished the first half with six catches for 182 yards and three touchdowns.

Warren received the second-half kickoff and drove inside the Malvern 10. The Leopards stopped the drive, but Emanuel Pahuamba made a 27-yard field goal for a 31-14 lead. Malvern later missed a 28-yard field goal, and Xavion Miller intercepted Pinkston early in the fourth quarter. Ty Hembree later recovered a muffed Malvern punt near midfield.

Pinkston kept Malvern alive by finding Tyrese Osborne for a 35-yard touchdown with 5:40 remaining. Warren answered on its next possession. Avery converted a third down, then broke a 34-yard touchdown run with 2:43 left to establish the final margin. Denton passed for 292 yards, Avery rushed for 113 yards, and Warren’s defense added two sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery.

Scoring Summary

First quarter

• 6:41 — Warren: Josiah Steen 40-yard pass from Jackson Denton (Emanuel Pahuamba kick). Warren 7, Malvern 0
• 2:28 — Malvern: Brad Saling 9-yard run (Allen Cervantes kick). Warren 7, Malvern 7
• 1:05 — Warren: JaKoby Avery 7-yard run (Pahuamba kick). Warren 14, Malvern 7

Second quarter

• 3:25 — Malvern: Aaron Pinkston 2-yard quarterback sneak (Cervantes kick). Warren 14, Malvern 14
• 2:51 — Warren: Steen 53-yard pass from Denton (Pahuamba kick). Warren 21, Malvern 14
• 0:45 — Warren: Steen 65-yard pass from Denton (Pahuamba kick). Warren 28, Malvern 14

Third quarter

• 7:33 — Warren: Pahuamba 27-yard field goal. Warren 31, Malvern 14

Fourth quarter

• 5:40 — Malvern: Tyrese Osborne 35-yard pass from Pinkston (Cervantes kick). Warren 31, Malvern 21
• 2:43 — Warren: Avery 34-yard run (Pahuamba kick). Warren 38, Malvern 21

Players of the Game

Warren

• Josiah Steen: Six receptions for 182 yards and three touchdowns, all during the first half. His scoring catches covered 40, 53 and 65 yards.
• Jackson Denton: Passed for 292 yards and three touchdowns. All three touchdown passes went to Steen.
• JaKoby Avery: Rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns, scoring from 7 and 34 yards.
• Xavion Miller: Recorded 10 tackles and intercepted a pass at the Warren 22 early in the fourth quarter.
• Emanuel Pahuamba: Made a 27-yard field goal and all five extra-point attempts, accounting for eight points.

Malvern

• Aaron Pinkston: Scored on a 2-yard quarterback sneak and threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Tyrese Osborne.
• Brad Saling: Scored on a 9-yard run and produced two important conversions during Malvern’s second-quarter touchdown drive. Pinkston and Saling combined for 196 rushing yards.
• Tyrese Osborne: Caught a 35-yard touchdown pass that reduced Warren’s lead to 31-21 with 5:40 remaining.