FREDERICK – While the playoffs don’t start until next week, there was a playoff atmosphere in Frederick Friday night.

Second-rated Warner pulled away in the second half for a hard-fought 33-6 win over Leola-Frederick, clinching another Lake Region Conference outright championship. The win also assured the Monarchs of homefield in the playoffs for the first three rounds as along as they keep winning.

“It was huge football game,” said Warner coach Derek Hoellein. “For one, obviously conference champs and then we want to be at home for the playoffs. We play really well at home.”

From the opening whistle it was obvious that neither side was going to concede an inch.

“We haven’t been in a slugfest like this in a while,” Hoellein said. “It was physical. If you were here, there was some pads popping tonight. It was good for us to have a game like this leading into playoffs.”

The contest was tight for the first 24 minutes and the Monarchs led just 6-0 at halftime. Both sides felt their offenses could have played a bit better in the opening half.

“We missed a couple plays,” Hoellein said. “We had some guys streaking wide open, and we missed them, but hey, that’s part of the game.”

Meanwhile, the Titans weren’t able to find much rhythm when they had the ball.

“We did feel good defensively. Offensively, we just kept stubbing our toes and doing it to ourselves. … I’m not saying we came into this game thinking we were going to win,” said Leola-Frederick coach Jeff Kosters, “but we truthfully felt like, even with the guys we have out, we could compete with them.”

The unbeaten Monarchs started to take control in the second half. Jesiah Baum scored on his second short touchdown run of the night, and Chays Mansfield punched in a score on a quarterback keeper as Warner’s lead reached 19-0 late in the third quarter.

The hosts scored their lone touchdown on a Noah Heuer run, before Baum took over in the final quarter, scoring on touchdown runs of 40 and 30 yards.

“Get to that edge, the blockers do a great job,” Baum said, “but if I get that extra burst, I’m good from there.”

Baum is threat to score every time he touches the ball, and puts stress on opposing defenses.

“Pretty much just try to get a hand on him, try to hold him up, hope one my teammates comes and cleans him,” said Leola-Frederick senior Zander Hoffman. “That’s about all I could do.”

Hoffman finished with 11 tackles on the night and helped lead a spirited effort from the Titans.

“Our coach told us play keys this week and I just try to stick with that really,” Hoffman said, “help my D-line do their job so I could get there.”

Baum was able to get out in space where he could use his speed and playmaking abilities.

“We switched it up a little bit. Everybody puts so much emphasis on number 4 (Baum). We split him out a little bit tonight. Jack Williams really stepped up and gave us a little thunder and lightning action there,” Hoellein said. “For him to run the way he did tonight and take pressure off number four, we just wore on them a little bit. Siah late in the game caught some creases and it doesn’t take much for him.”

Baum, who rushed for 148 yards and returned a punt for 42 yards, nearly did even more damage, having a pair of passes land just beyond his reach as dove full out chasing both of them.

“No matter what you do, you’ve got to give 100 percent effort,” Baum said of those full-extension dives.

The senior was happy that the Monarchs defended their LRC championship.

“Incredible feeling, just knowing we’ve done this multiple times,” Baum said. “It’s a just great feeling to keep doing it.”

The contest marked the final prep game for Hoffman as the Titans did not qualify for the playoffs this season.

When asked what he will remember most about playing for Leola-Frederick, Hoffman responded, “There’s a lot to pick from, but I’d probably say the fun practices and just having fun with the guys, I guess. Always knowing that they’re going to try their best as long as you try your best.”

And while their season ended in a setback, the Titans did not go quietly against one of the top Class 9A teams in the state.

“I’m extremely proud of the effort,” Kosters said. “Disappointed in the outcome, but we gutted it out and gave it our all. We were outmatched, but we still had some fight.”

Warner, 8-0, will now head into the postseason where it will host Timber Lake on Thursday night.

“It’s exciting, but it’s time to lock in,” Baum said. “We’ve got a lot of young guys and we’re ready to see what they can do in the playoffs. Different atmosphere. I’m excited.”

Warner (8-0) 0 6 13 14 – 33

Leola-Frederick (3-5) 0 0 6 0 – 6

W – Jesiah Baum 1 run.

W – Baum 4 run.

W – Chays Mansfield 1 run (Alex Mikkelsen kick).

LF – Noah Heuer 6 run.

W – Baum 40 run (Mikkelsen kick).

W – Baum 30 run (Mikkelsen kick).

OFFENSE: Warner, rushing 42-255 (Baum 23-148), passing 4-12 for 41 (Mansfield 2-10 for 22), receiving (Parker Wood 2-18); Leola-Frederick, rushing 28-133 (Westyn Thorpe 11-78, Heuer 3-34), passing 3-13-2 for 25 (Quinn Huettl 3-10-1 for 25), receiving (Jace Thorpe 1-15, Erik Losure 1-15).

DEFENSE: Warner, Jack Williams 9 tackles, Mansfield 8 tackles, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery; Leola-Frederick, W. Thorpe 14 tackles, Zander Hoffman 11 tackles, Preston Sumption 10 tackles, Jacob Kindelspire 7 tackles and 2 sacks, Heuer 7 tackles.