Pointers win shootout, edge Cyclones 49-42 in thriller

Van Buren 49, Russellville 42

VAN BUREN — Van Buren outlasted Russellville in a back‑and‑forth 6A‑West opener Friday, leaning on running back Hayden Christenberry’s power game and a timely closing drive to win, 49‑42. Christenberry, a listed RB on Hudl, ran 29 times for 174 yards and three touchdowns, including the go‑ahead score from four yards with 3:11 remaining.

The Pointers balanced the run with a downfield air attack. Junior quarterback Hayden Williford threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns, finding Austin Riggs twice in the end zone—a 34‑yard shovel in the first quarter and a 12‑yard strike early in the fourth. Riggs, a senior WR, topped 150 receiving yards. Toray Wilford added a 58‑yard touchdown and earlier hauled in a two‑point pass from Tristan Ray, who also scored on a 2‑yard keeper. Kicker Manning Dodson went 5‑for‑6 on PATs.

Russellville answered all night. Senior back Sam Callahan burst for four rushing touchdowns and 152 yards, highlighted by an 80‑yard sprint to open the second half. Senior Marcellus Olson‑Patton—a listed ATH/DB who took the snaps at quarterback—rushed for 182 yards and tossed a 10‑yard touchdown to Julius “Juju” Thompson. Samario Hibbler jump‑started the Cyclones with an 81‑yard punt‑return score, while K Jesus Perez was perfect on PATs. Ethan D. Aaron Haney (OLB/MLB) delivered multiple pressures to keep drives alive for the defense.

Van Buren’s defense produced the final stop, sacking Olson‑Patton on fourth‑and‑long near the one‑minute mark to seal it.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Russellville – Samario Hibbler 81‑yd punt return (Jesus Perez kick), RUS 7–0.
Van Buren – Austin Riggs 34‑yd shovel from Hayden Williford (Manning Dodson kick), 7–7.

2nd Quarter
Van Buren – Hayden Christenberry 4‑yd run (Dodson kick), VB 14–7.
Russellville – Sam Callahan 1‑yd run (Perez kick), 14–14.
Van Buren – Toray Wilford 58‑yd pass from Williford (Tristan Ray to Dodson 2‑pt), VB 22–14.
Russellville – Callahan 10‑yd run (Perez kick), VB 22–21.

3rd Quarter
Russellville – Callahan 80‑yd run (Perez kick), RUS 28–22.
Van Buren – Ray 2‑yd run (Dodson kick), VB 29–28.
Russellville – Callahan 24‑yd run (Perez kick), RUS 35–29.
Van Buren – Christenberry 6‑yd run (kick failed), 35–35.

4th Quarter
Van Buren – Riggs 12‑yd pass from Williford (Dodson kick), VB 42–35.
Russellville – Julius Thompson 10‑yd pass from Olson‑Patton (Perez kick), 42–42.
Van Buren – Christenberry 4‑yd run (Dodson kick), VB 49–42.

Players who stood out

• Hayden Christenberry (RB, Van Buren) — 174 yds, 3 TD.

• Hayden Williford (QB, Van Buren) — 314 pass yds, 3 TD.

• Austin Riggs (WR, Van Buren) — 2 TD; 150+ rec yds.

• Sam Callahan (Russellville) — 152 rush yds, 4 TD.

• Marcellus Olson‑Patton (ATH/DB, Russellville) — 182 rush yds; 10‑yd TD pass while at QB.