Christenberry capped off a 96-yard drive with a 4-yard go-ahead touchdown in a 49-42 victory against Russellville to open 6A-West play.
"He's good, man," Van Buren Coach Moe Henry said. "It's amazing with him just being a sophomore. I went to him knowing we needed him in the fourth quarter, and he was good to go. He answered the bell. I'm real proud of him."
Christenberry's score came with 3 minutes, 11 seconds left in the game, but Van Buren's defense was able to make that lead hold with a final stop. Senior linebacker Darren Mays had a tackle for a loss on fourth down to seal it.
"I was nervous being a sophomore," Christenberry said. "But this is just what I do as a running back. You don't have to think about it. You just stay calm and push through. This is amazing that this team has that trust in me. I want to see how many records I can break."
Van Buren (2-2, 1-0) was guided by quarterback Hayden Williford. He completed 13 of 25 passes for 316 yards and 3 touchdowns. Christenberry finished with 30 carries for 190 yards and 3 touchdowns. Austin Riggs hauled in 6 catches for 157 yards and 2 touchdowns. Toray Wilford had 4 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown.
Russellville, which scored five total points in its past two games, had its offense come to life. Sam Callahan had 15 carries for 158 yards and 4 touchdowns at running back. Marcellus Olson-Patton completed 8 of 13 passes for 88 yards. He also rushed 15 times for 180 yards. Julius Thompson hauled in 3 catches for 23 yards and a score. Samario Hibbler provided an 82-yard touchdown on a punt return.
The game was tied at 35-35 after three quarters and was tied again at 42-42 in the fourth quarter.
Van Buren took a slight 22-21 lead into halftime with the difference being just a two-point conversion caught by a kicker.
After three defensive stops to open the game, Russellville found the scoreboard first with an 82-yard punt return from Hibbler for a 7-0 edge.
Van Buren ended the first-quarter scoring to tie it at 7-7 when Riggs took a pop pass from Williford for a 34-yard touchdown.
Christenberry with a 4-yard rush then gave Van Buren a 14-7 lead to open the second quarter.
Russellville used a 37-yard rush from Olson-Patton then a 34-yard rush from Julius Thompson to set up a 1-yard touchdown from Callahan. That tied the game at 14-14.
Van Buren took a 22-14 lead when Wilford caught a 58-yard touchdown pass from Williford to cap a quick two-play drive. A two-point pass from Kannen Russell to Manning Dodson was successful.
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