Warren, Mackey keep Bentonville West unbeaten

Bentonville West 35, Springdale 9

CENTERTON — VJ Warren rushed for two first-quarter touchdowns and Sutton Mackey accounted for three scores as Bentonville West defeated Springdale 35-9 on homecoming Friday night.

The Wolverines scored on their first three possessions, weathered Springdale’s nine-point second quarter and added two touchdowns after halftime. West improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the 7A-West; Springdale fell to 1-4 and 1-1.

Ashton Jones set the tone on the opening kickoff. Taking a lateral and cutting across the field, Jones carried the return into Springdale territory. West started at the Bulldogs’ 37 and scored two plays later when Warren broke through the right side for a touchdown. Ethan Robinson’s extra point made it 7-0.

The Wolverines forced a three-and-out and took over at Springdale’s 38 after a short punt. Warren converted third-and-one, and Mackey found Ty Ross near the goal line. Warren pushed to the 1, then scored on the next play. Robinson’s kick made it 14-0 with 7:45 left in the first quarter.

Josiah LaValle’s tackle ended another Springdale possession short of the first-down marker, and another short punt gave West the ball at the Bulldogs’ 42. Tanner Wirthlin caught a 25-yard pass to open the drive. On third down from the 15, Mackey faked the handoff and hit Ryan Adjam on a slant. Adjam spun into the end zone for a 21-0 lead.

Springdale responded in the second quarter. After stopping West on downs, the Bulldogs drove near the goal line before Dane Renick forced Orion Leautu out short on fourth down. Springdale’s defense immediately recovered the momentum, tackling Warren in the end zone for a safety with 5:09 remaining in the half.

The Bulldogs added a touchdown in the final minute. Albert Birge scored on a three-yard end-around to finish a five-play, 52-yard drive, and Damian Zuniga’s extra point cut the deficit to 21-9 with 24 seconds remaining.

West reestablished control after halftime. The defense forced a punt, and Wirthlin’s 34-yard catch-and-run moved the Wolverines to the 4. Mackey kept the ball, broke a tackle and changed direction into the end zone. Robinson’s kick extended the lead to 28-9 with 8:30 left in the third quarter.

Another defensive stop gave West the ball at midfield. Ross helped overcome an early loss with a 12-yard catch, Warren converted two third downs, and Asher Swoboda added a 20-yard reception. Mackey eventually found Ross for an eight-yard touchdown, making it 35-9 with 1:49 left in the period.

Springdale threatened again in the fourth quarter after Leautu’s 64-yard reception. West held near the goal line, with Miller Reynolds breaking up one pass and Baron Witcher defending the fourth-down throw.

Jones closed the final Springdale possession with an interception and a long return inside the 20. West kept the ball on the ground and ran out the remaining time.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

Bentonville West — VJ Warren 37-yard run (Ethan Robinson kick), Bentonville West 7, Springdale 0.

Bentonville West — Warren one-yard run (Robinson kick), Bentonville West 14, Springdale 0. 7:45.

Bentonville West — Ryan Adjam 15-yard pass from Sutton Mackey (Robinson kick), Bentonville West 21, Springdale 0.

2nd Quarter

Springdale — Albert Birge three-yard run (Damian Zuniga kick), Bentonville West 21, Springdale 9. 0:24.

3rd Quarter

Bentonville West — Mackey four-yard run (Robinson kick), Bentonville West 28, Springdale 9. 8:30.

Bentonville West — Ty Ross eight-yard pass from Mackey (Robinson kick), Bentonville West 35, Springdale 9. 1:49.

Players Who Stood Out

VJ Warren, Bentonville West — Scored on runs of 37 and one yard in the first quarter. Converted two third downs during the final touchdown drive.

Sutton Mackey, Bentonville West — Threw touchdown passes to Ryan Adjam and Ty Ross and scored on a four-yard run.

Ashton Jones, Bentonville West — Returned the opening kickoff into Springdale territory to set up the first touchdown. Added a late interception and return inside the Bulldogs’ 20.

Tanner Wirthlin, Bentonville West — Caught a 25-yard pass during the third touchdown drive and a 34-yard pass to the 4 before Mackey’s rushing touchdown.

Ty Ross, Bentonville West — Caught an eight-yard touchdown pass and a 12-yard pass that helped overcome an early loss on the same drive.

Ryan Adjam, Bentonville West — Turned a third-down slant into a 15-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

Asher Swoboda, Bentonville West — Caught a 20-yard pass and added another reception on the final touchdown drive.

Dane Renick, Bentonville West — Forced Orion Leautu out short on fourth-and-goal in the second quarter and broke up a third-quarter pass.

Baron Witcher, Bentonville West — Broke up Springdale’s fourth-and-goal pass with 6:08 remaining in the game.

Ethan Robinson, Bentonville West — Made all five extra points.

Albert Birge, Springdale — Scored on a three-yard run with 24 seconds left in the first half.

Orion Leautu, Springdale — Caught a 64-yard fourth-quarter pass that set up a goal-line scoring opportunity.