Van Buren scores on nine straight possessions in win over Siloam Springs

Published On: September 28, 2026Categories: High School, News

Van Buren 70, Siloam Springs 14

SILOAM SPRINGS — Van Buren scored touchdowns on all nine first-half possessions, converting four early fumble recoveries into points to open conference play with a 70–14 victory over Siloam Springs. The Pointers led 28–0 just 4:07 into the game and 63–0 at halftime, with six different players eventually reaching the end zone.

Hayden Williford started the scoring with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Thomas Cole, finishing an eight-play, 62-yard opening drive. Kannen Russell helped move that possession with three receptions, including a 17-yard gain that set up Cole’s score with 9:41 remaining in the first quarter.

Jaxson Silvers recovered a fumble on Siloam Springs’ first offensive snap at the Panthers’ 25. Hayden Christenberry scored from there two plays later. Another recovery on the ensuing kickoff gave Van Buren the ball at the Siloam Springs 24, and Christenberry followed an Abe Cone reception with a 14-yard touchdown run for a 21–0 lead.

A third fumble recovery brought out a different wrinkle. Russell took a backward pass from Williford and threw a 41-yard touchdown to Cone, extending the advantage to 28–0.

Siloam Springs moved into scoring territory behind Cooper Hahn’s completion to Ryan Estacio and a 12-yard quarterback keeper. The Panthers reached the Van Buren 19 but lost possession on downs after a mishandled fourth-down snap. Williford then found Cone deep to set up Christenberry’s third touchdown, a 2-yard run that made it 35–0.

Van Buren recovered another fumble before the quarter ended. On the first play of the second quarter, Cone caught a crossing pass, cut back toward the goal line and completed a 14-yard touchdown reception. Jaiden Tabor’s pressure later helped force a fourth-down incompletion, and Cole’s second touchdown catch, from 7 yards, pushed the lead to 49–0.

Sophomore Joshua Patterson took over at quarterback midway through the second quarter and immediately extended the scoring. Patrico Caudle’s 15-yard run helped set up Patterson’s touchdown throw to Kingsley Koch. Patterson later threaded a 13-yard touchdown pass to Russell between defenders with 19 seconds left before halftime.

Williford completed 14 of 16 passes for 177 yards and three touchdowns before yielding to Patterson, who went seven of eight for 100 yards and two scores. Russell finished with nine catches for 112 yards, while Cone caught five passes for 110 yards. 09/25/2026

Siloam Springs scored twice in the third quarter. Hahn escaped the first defender and cut toward the corner for a touchdown with 6:56 remaining. Brett Gold then sacked Patterson and recovered the fumble. A holding penalty erased Gold’s return for a touchdown, but the Panthers retained possession, and Izael Beleche finished the opportunity with a scoring run to make it 63–14.

Caudle supplied the final touchdown on a short fourth-quarter run. Darian Fantauzzi helped sustain that drive by turning a third-down reception into a first down, while Patterson added a 13-yard keeper. Trevor Akins subsequently prevented a kickoff-return touchdown with a tackle, and Van Buren stopped Siloam Springs’ final possession near the goal line.

Scoring summary

First quarter

Van Buren: Thomas Cole, 10-yard pass from Hayden Williford (Jaden Alvarez kick). Van Buren 7–0.
Van Buren: Hayden Christenberry, 25-yard run (Trevor Akins kick). Van Buren 14–0.
Van Buren: Christenberry, 14-yard run (Alvarez kick). Van Buren 21–0.
Van Buren: Abe Cone, 41-yard pass from Kannen Russell (kick good). Van Buren 28–0.
Van Buren: Christenberry, 2-yard run (kick good). Van Buren 35–0.

Second quarter

Van Buren: Cone, 14-yard pass from Williford (kick good). Van Buren 42–0.
Van Buren: Cole, 7-yard pass from Williford (Alvarez kick). Van Buren 49–0.
Van Buren: Kingsley Koch, 38-yard pass from Joshua Patterson (kick good). Van Buren 56–0.
Van Buren: Russell, 13-yard pass from Patterson (kick good). Van Buren 63–0.

Third quarter

Siloam Springs: Cooper Hahn, touchdown run (kick good). Van Buren 63–7.
Siloam Springs: Izael Beleche, touchdown run (kick good). Van Buren 63–14.

Fourth quarter

Van Buren: Patrico Caudle, short touchdown run (Alvarez kick). Van Buren 70–14.

Players who stood out

Hayden Christenberry, Van Buren: Seven carries, 52 yards and three touchdowns.
Kannen Russell, Van Buren: Nine catches for 112 yards and a touchdown; threw a 41-yard touchdown pass.
Abe Cone, Van Buren: Five catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
Thomas Cole, Van Buren: Both catches went for touchdowns, totaling 17 yards.
Hayden Williford, Van Buren: Completed 14 of 16 passes for 177 yards and three touchdowns.
Joshua Patterson, Van Buren: Completed seven of eight passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns.
Kingsley Koch, Van Buren: Caught a 38-yard touchdown and supplied downfield blocks on Russell’s receptions.
Patrico Caudle, Van Buren: Twelve carries for 66 yards and a touchdown.
Jaxson Silvers, Van Buren: Recovered the opening-possession fumble and pressured Hahn into a third-down incompletion before Siloam Springs’ first punt.
Cooper Hahn, Siloam Springs: Connected with Estacio to help move the Panthers inside the Van Buren 20 and scored their first touchdown on a third-quarter keeper.
Izael Beleche, Siloam Springs: Converted the Panthers’ third-quarter takeaway into a rushing touchdown.
Brett Gold, Siloam Springs: Sacked Patterson and recovered the fumble to set up Beleche’s touchdown.