Jenkins' TD run lifts Van Buren

LITTLE ROCK — Different surface, same result.

Sophomore Jacob Jenkins' 2-yard touchdown run with 3:26 remaining in the game lifted Van Buren to a 28-24 victory over Little Rock Central in the 7A-Central opener Friday night at Quigley-Cox Stadium in Little Rock.

Central (0-4) was playing its first game on a new Enviromax artificial playing surfaced installed over the summer.

But a large crowd watched the offensively energized Tigers blow a 24-10 halftime lead and extend their school-record losing streak to 15 games.

Central, which hadn't had a touchdown and averaged only 99 total yards the first three weeks, had 203 total yards in the first half, scoring on a 53-yard run and a 95-yard kickoff return - both by senior tailback Timothy Campbell.

But Van Buren (1-2-1) dominated the second half and yielded only 79 total yards.

The Pointers entered allowing 51.3 points and 518 total yards per game.

"Man, they had some big plays on us in the first half," Van Buren Coach Mike Lee said. "We reassessed at halftime and said, 'Hey guys, it's about goals. Our goal the second half was to pitch a shutout. It's on us, no matter what.'I'm so proud of our defensive coaches rallying those guys and making them believe that they could do it."

Central had a chance to regain the lead, but a pass intended for senior wide receiver Kris Pettus bounced off his hands and into the arms of junior defensive back Jimmy Barber at the Van Buren 31 with 1:55 remaining in the game.

Central's last chance ended when Pettus was stripped fielding a punt. Van Buren sophomore Colton Lewis recovered the fumble at the Central 11 with 42 seconds remaining.

Van Buren was led by junior quarterback Tyler Spoon, who completed his first 12 passes and finished 17 of 22 for 208 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Spoon also scrambled 8 yards for Van Buren's first touchdown with 4:11 remaining in the first quarter.

Junior wide receiver Drew White, whom Lee said may have suffered a broken collarbone, caught 11 passes for 128 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown with 2:26 remaining in the first half to tie the score 14-14.