Van Buren holds off Russellville after 16-point second-quarter burst

Van Buren 23, Russellville 14

October 16, 2026 | Hooten’s Arkansas Football

Van Buren scored 16 unanswered points in the second quarter and made that advantage stand through a scoreless second half, defeating Russellville 23-14 Friday night at Pointer Stadium.

The Pointers improved to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the 6A-West. Russellville fell to 1-6 and 1-3 despite three takeaways and another productive night from Sam Callahan, whom the broadcast credited with 183 rushing yards and a touchdown on 39 carries.

Hayden Williford and Hayden Christenberry supplied second-quarter touchdown runs for Van Buren, which also benefited from a safety when a Russellville punt snap sailed through the end zone. Those points erased a 14-7 Cyclones lead and completed the scoring before halftime.

Van Buren opened with a 14-play, 78-yard drive that consumed 5:11. The Pointers converted two third downs and a fourth down before Patrico Caudle finished with a 5-yard touchdown run. The extra point made it 7-0.

Russellville answered on defense. Brandon Flores forced a fumble, and Thomas Fairrow picked it up and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown. Jesus Perez kicked the extra point to tie the game with 4:27 left in the first quarter.

The Cyclones then forced a punt and moved 60 yards in 10 plays. Callahan broke a 21-yard run during the possession and scored from the 1 with 11:45 left in the second quarter. Perez added the extra point for a 14-7 lead.

Williford brought Van Buren back with a 22-yard keeper, finishing an 80-yard, 10-play drive. Levi Peoples blocked the extra point, preserving a 14-13 Russellville edge.

A high snap on the next Cyclones possession gave Van Buren the ball at the Russellville 45. A roughing-the-passer penalty extended the drive, and an 11-yard completion to Abe Cone set up Christenberry’s 2-yard touchdown run. After consecutive Russellville offsides penalties on the conversion attempt, Williford completed a two-point pass for a 21-14 lead with 5:21 left in the half.

The next Russellville possession ended with another high snap, this time over the punter and out of the end zone. The safety made it 23-14 with 4:14 remaining.

Fairrow intercepted a pass later in the quarter, giving Russellville another chance before halftime. The Cyclones reached the Van Buren 10 but came away empty when a 27-yard field-goal attempt missed wide left.

Both defenses held firm after the break. Van Buren stopped Russellville on fourth down at the Pointers’ 31 late in the third quarter. Chase Bradford intercepted a pass in the end zone in the fourth, keeping the Cyclones within nine points, but Russellville could not turn that takeaway into a score.

Van Buren’s final fourth-down stop came with 59 seconds remaining, allowing the Pointers to run out the clock. The broadcast credited Christenberry with 86 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries and Williford with 132 passing yards, 36 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. Cone caught five passes for 42 yards.

Scoring summary

First quarter Van Buren — Patrico Caudle 5-yard run (kick good). Van Buren 7, Russellville 0.

First quarter • 4:27 Russellville — Thomas Fairrow 38-yard fumble return (Jesus Perez kick). Tied 7-7.

Second quarter • 11:45 Russellville — Sam Callahan 1-yard run (Jesus Perez kick). Russellville 14, Van Buren 7.

Second quarter Van Buren — Hayden Williford 22-yard run (kick blocked by Levi Peoples). Russellville 14, Van Buren 13.

Second quarter • 5:21 Van Buren — Hayden Christenberry 2-yard run (Hayden Williford two-point pass). Van Buren 21, Russellville 14.

Players who stood out

Sam Callahan, Russellville: 39 carries for 183 yards and a touchdown, according to the broadcast’s final statistics.

Thomas Fairrow, Russellville: 38-yard fumble-return touchdown and an interception.

Hayden Christenberry, Van Buren: 18 carries for 86 yards and a touchdown in the broadcast’s final statistics.

Hayden Williford, Van Buren: 132 passing yards, 36 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown and a successful two-point pass.

Abe Cone, Van Buren: Five receptions for 42 yards.