Warren, Southside build early cushion to beat Russellville

Fort Smith Southside 50, Russellville 29

RUSSELLVILLE — Terrell Warren rushed for two touchdowns, Michael Nolewajka accounted for three scores and Fort Smith Southside scored on its first six possessions to defeat Russellville 50-29 Friday night at Cyclone Stadium.

The Mavericks led 23-7 at halftime and stretched the margin to 36-7 in the third quarter before Russellville answered with three touchdowns. Warren finished with 21 carries for 181 yards, according to the Cyclone Booth broadcast’s late-game statistics.

Southside established its running game immediately. Warren capped the opening possession with a 2-yard touchdown run, and Dallas DeLassus’ extra point made it 7-0 with 4:16 remaining in the first quarter. Nolewajka rolled right and threw a touchdown pass to Hudson Morehead with nine seconds left in the period. DeLassus’ kick doubled the lead.

Sam Callahan helped Russellville respond with a 36-yard run to the Southside 1. After a timeout, he took a direct snap and followed his blockers into the end zone. Jesus Perez’s extra point cut the deficit to 14-7.

Warren answered with a 3-yard scoring run with 2:14 left in the half. Russellville blocked the extra point, but Southside added another scoring possession before intermission. DeLassus made a 25-yard field goal as the half expired, giving the Mavericks a 16-point cushion.

Nolewajka’s 9-yard keeper extended the lead to 29-7 with 6:54 remaining in the third quarter. Southside then recovered a fumble at the Russellville 25. Sebastian Luht scored on an end-around on the next play, and the extra point made it 36-7 with 6:25 left.

Russellville’s next touchdown came on fourth-and-goal, when Callahan scored from the 1 with 2:48 remaining in the third. Marcellus Olson-Patton ran for the two-point conversion. The Cyclones finally stopped a Southside possession early in the fourth quarter, then struck through the air: Asher Swindle connected with Olson-Patton on a 52-yard touchdown pass with 9:17 remaining. The conversion run failed, leaving Southside ahead 36-21.

The Mavericks answered with a drive that ended in Nolewajka’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Paul Frantz with 2:23 left. The extra point restored a 22-point lead.

Swindle found Parker Jackson for a 23-yard touchdown pass in the final minute. Olson-Patton then threw to Madden Parker for two points, cutting the margin to 43-29. Warren broke a 40-yard run on Southside’s final possession, and Drale Morris finished the drive with a touchdown run. The extra point completed the scoring.

Swindle completed 12 of 16 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns, according to the broadcast’s postgame statistics. Callahan supplied both of Russellville’s rushing touchdowns, while Olson-Patton contributed a touchdown reception and both successful two-point conversions.

Scoring summary

First quarter

4:16 — Southside: Terrell Warren 2-yard run (Dallas DeLassus kick). Southside 7-0.

0:09 — Southside: Hudson Morehead pass from Michael Nolewajka (Dallas DeLassus kick). Southside 14-0.

Second quarter

Russellville: Sam Callahan 1-yard run (Jesus Perez kick). Southside 14-7.

2:14 — Southside: Terrell Warren 3-yard run (kick blocked). Southside 20-7.

0:00 — Southside: Dallas DeLassus 25-yard field goal. Southside 23-7.

Third quarter

6:54 — Southside: Michael Nolewajka 9-yard run (kick failed). Southside 29-7.

6:25 — Southside: Sebastian Luht 25-yard run (kick good). Southside 36-7.

2:48 — Russellville: Sam Callahan 1-yard run (Marcellus Olson-Patton run). Southside 36-15.

Fourth quarter

9:17 — Russellville: Marcellus Olson-Patton 52-yard pass from Asher Swindle (run failed). Southside 36-21.

2:23 — Southside: Paul Frantz 7-yard pass from Michael Nolewajka (kick good). Southside 43-21.

0:46 — Russellville: Parker Jackson 23-yard pass from Asher Swindle (Madden Parker pass from Marcellus Olson-Patton). Southside 43-29.

Southside: Drale Morris run (kick good). Southside 50-29.

Players who stood out

Terrell Warren, Southside — Broadcast-reported 21 carries for 181 yards; touchdown runs of 2 and 3 yards.

Michael Nolewajka, Southside — Two touchdown passes and a 9-yard touchdown run.

Dallas DeLassus, Southside — 25-yard field goal as the first half expired.

Hudson Morehead, Southside — First-quarter touchdown reception.

Sebastian Luht, Southside — 25-yard touchdown run immediately after a fumble recovery.

Paul Frantz, Southside — 7-yard touchdown reception with 2:23 remaining.

Drale Morris, Southside — Touchdown run on the final Southside possession.

Asher Swindle, Russellville — Broadcast-reported 12-of-16 passing for 169 yards and two touchdowns.

Sam Callahan, Russellville — Two 1-yard touchdown runs; 36-yard run set up the first.

Marcellus Olson-Patton, Russellville — 52-yard touchdown reception, a two-point run and a two-point pass.

Parker Jackson, Russellville — 23-yard touchdown reception.

Madden Parker, Russellville — Caught the final two-point conversion.