Van Buren Turns Takeaways Into Battle of the Bone Victory
Van Buren 41, Alma 20
ALMA — Van Buren turned two first-half takeaways into defensive touchdowns and built a 33-6 halftime lead on the way to a 41-20 victory over Alma in the 80th Battle of the Bone.
Van Buren opened by driving from its own 10 to the Alma 4, but the Airedales stopped a fourth-down pass. The Pointers answered on defense. With Alma backed near its goal line, cornerback Kyle Organ intercepted Jay Lemieux and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
Alma responded with its best early drive, moving inside the Van Buren 15 before the Pointers stopped a fourth-down run. Van Buren then went 90 yards, with running back Hayden Christenberry scoring from 1 yard on the first play of the second quarter.
Quarterback Hayden Williford added a 37-yard touchdown run, and safety Donovan Akins returned a fumble 38 yards for Van Buren’s second defensive touchdown. Williford later hit Christenberry for a 21-yard score, making it 33-0.
Alma produced points before halftime when Lemieux found receiver Dylan Jackson for a 31-yard touchdown. Jackson finished with nine catches for 130 yards.
Van Buren opened the second half with a 67-yard scoring drive. Williford connected with Kannen Russell for a 27-yard touchdown, then completed the two-point pass to Dre’non Brouwer for a 41-6 lead.
Alma answered with two touchdown passes to junior receiver Maddox Caldwell, covering 16 and 46 yards. Lemieux finished 17 of 34 for 269 yards and three touchdowns. The Airedales held Van Buren scoreless in the fourth quarter and outscored the Pointers 14-8 after halftime.
Williford completed 12 of 19 passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns and rushed six times for 101 yards and another score. Christenberry totaled 119 yards and two touchdowns as Van Buren finished with 206 rushing yards Friday at Airedale Stadium.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Van Buren – Kyle Organ 14-yard interception return (Jaden Alvarez kick), Van Buren 7-0
2nd Quarter
Van Buren – Hayden Christenberry 1-yard run (Alvarez kick), Van Buren 14-0
Van Buren – Hayden Williford 37-yard run (PAT failed after bad snap), Van Buren 20-0
Van Buren – Donovan Akins 38-yard fumble return (conversion failed), Van Buren 26-0
Van Buren – Christenberry 21-yard pass from Williford (Alvarez kick), Van Buren 33-0
Alma – Dylan Jackson 31-yard pass from Jay Lemieux (PAT missed), Van Buren 33-6
3rd Quarter
Van Buren – Kannen Russell 27-yard pass from Williford (Williford pass to Dre’non Brouwer), Van Buren 41-6
Alma – Maddox Caldwell 16-yard pass from Lemieux (2-point pass incomplete), Van Buren 41-12
4th Quarter
Alma – Caldwell 46-yard pass from Lemieux (2-point pass complete), Van Buren 41-20
Players Who Stood Out
- Hayden Williford, Van Buren QB — 12-of-19 passing for 114 yards and 2 TDs; 6 carries for 101 yards and a 37-yard TD. 215 total yards, 3 TDs.
- Hayden Christenberry, Van Buren RB — 19 carries for 71 yards and a TD; 2 catches for 48 yards and a TD. 119 total yards, 2 TDs.
- Donovan Akins, Van Buren DB — 8 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a 38-yard fumble-return TD.
- Jay Lemieux, Alma QB — 17-of-34 passing for 269 yards and 3 TDs, with one interception.
- Maddox Caldwell, Alma WR/DB — Caught two second-half touchdown passes, scoring from 16 and 46 yards.