Van Buren’s interception returns hold off Catholic comeback
Van Buren 25, LR Catholic 19
LITTLE ROCK — Abe Cone returned an interception for a first-quarter touchdown, and Van Buren added another interception return for a score late in the fourth quarter to withstand Catholic’s comeback and win 25-19 Friday night at War Memorial Stadium.
The Pointers forced four turnovers, including three interceptions, and improved to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the 6A-West. Catholic, which trailed 18-0 at halftime, fell to 1-5 and 0-3 despite two second-half touchdown runs by Phillips Blair and a defense that kept Van Buren’s offense scoreless after halftime.
Catholic forced a punt on the opening possession but began its first drive at its own 4. Luke Burdine helped move the Rockets away from their goal line, and Hunter Markham added a first-down run on a jet sweep. Cone then intercepted Blair’s pass and returned it for the opening touchdown. A successful two-point run made it 8-0 with 7:47 left in the first quarter. Van Buren added a touchdown pass and Jaden Alvarez’s extra point for a 15-0 lead at the 3:07 mark.
Davis Drew intercepted Hayden Williford later in the first quarter, giving Catholic an opportunity to respond. Blair moved the Rockets across midfield, and a completion to Markham converted third down before Van Buren recovered a fumble to stop the threat. Kyle Organ intercepted another pass during the second quarter. On the ensuing possession, Kingsley Koch carried a reception to Catholic’s 6 before Markham brought him down. The Rockets held, but Alvarez’s 27-yard field goal extended the lead to 18-0 with 2:07 remaining in the half.
Catholic’s defense created another opening in the third quarter. Max Roper and Pate Capps combined to stop Hayden Christenberry on third-and-short, and an incomplete fourth-down pass gave the Rockets possession. Benny Blomeley caught a nine-yard pass, CJ Obert added a first-down run behind Matthew Spencer’s blocking, and a pass-interference penalty helped set up Blair’s touchdown run with 3:48 left. Van Buren blocked the extra point, keeping its lead at 18-6.
Blair continued to drive the second-half rally with his running. Obert and Markham made catches before the third quarter ended, and Hudson Brown added a reception early in the fourth. Blair converted a third-and-short run to the 5 as Catholic moved toward another touchdown. The Rockets cut the deficit to 18-12 with 8:45 remaining, but Van Buren blocked a second extra point.
Charlie Smith broke up a third-down pass on Van Buren’s next possession, forcing a punt. Catholic took over at its 32 with 7:30 remaining and again drove into scoring position. Blair supplied two third-down conversions, Spencer added an 11-yard run, and Obert’s downfield block helped Markham gain another first down. The Rockets reached first-and-goal at the 10, but the Pointers intercepted Blair’s third-down pass and returned it for a touchdown. The extra point made it 25-12 with 1:41 left.
Blair answered with a 50-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-one, and the successful extra point brought Catholic within six. The ensuing onside kick went out of bounds, leaving Van Buren to finish the victory.
Verified Scoring Plays
First quarter
Van Buren — Abe Cone interception return for a touchdown (two-point run successful), Van Buren 8, LR Catholic 0. 7:47.
Second quarter
Van Buren — Jaden Alvarez 27-yard field goal, Van Buren 18, LR Catholic 0. 2:07.
Third quarter
LR Catholic — Phillips Blair touchdown run (kick blocked), Van Buren 18, LR Catholic 6. 3:48.
Fourth quarter
LR Catholic — Phillips Blair 50-yard touchdown run (kick good), Van Buren 25, LR Catholic 19.
Players Who Stood Out
Abe Cone, Van Buren — Returned a first-quarter interception for the opening touchdown, helping the Pointers take an 8-0 lead.
Jaden Alvarez, Van Buren — Made a 27-yard field goal with 2:07 left in the first half and the extra point following Van Buren’s first-quarter offensive touchdown.
Kyle Organ, Van Buren — Intercepted a second-quarter pass to set up the possession that ended in Alvarez’s field goal.
Kingsley Koch, Van Buren — Took a second-quarter reception to Catholic’s 6, helping set up Alvarez’s field goal.
Phillips Blair, LR Catholic — Scored two second-half rushing touchdowns, including a 50-yarder on fourth-and-one. Added two third-down rushing conversions on the fourth-quarter drive that reached Van Buren’s 10.
Davis Drew, LR Catholic — Intercepted a first-quarter pass and made multiple open-field tackles. Named the Catholic broadcast’s player of the game.
Charlie Smith, LR Catholic — Broke up a fourth-quarter third-down pass to force a punt and give Catholic the ball with 7:30 remaining. Also stopped Williford short of a first down on a third-quarter keeper.
Matthew Spencer, LR Catholic — Supplied an 11-yard run on Catholic’s late scoring threat and a lead block on Obert’s third-quarter first-down run.
Max Roper and Pate Capps, LR Catholic — Combined for a third-quarter third-down stop before Van Buren’s failed fourth-down attempt set up Catholic’s first touchdown.