09/26/2026
The Russellville Cyclones snapped a 15-game losing streak on Friday at Cyclone Stadium as they opened the 6A-West Conference with a 16-12 win over the Little Rock Southwest Gryphons.
Russellville (1-3, 1-0 6A-West took a 9-0 lead at halftime on three field goals by Jesus Perez.
Russellville scored its first field goal with 54 seconds left in the first quarter on a 25-yard field goal by Perez.
The Cyclones' second score came when Perez kicked a 36-yard field goal with 7:26 left in the half.
The Cyclones' third scoring drive came near the end of the second quarter. Russellville moved the ball 43 yards in 10 plays, capped by a 41-yard field goal by Perez.
Little Rock Southwest returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown with 10:04 left in the third quarter. Russellville blocked the PAT to leave the score 9-6.
The Gryphons returned the next punt 41 yards to the Russellville 35. Six plays later, Little Rock Southwest had a touchdown called back due to a penalty, and the Russellville defense stood on a fourth-and-goal try.
Then, freshman quarterback Asher Swindle connected with Parker Jackson for a 96-yard touchdown...but a holding penalty called it back.
On the next play, Swindle hurled another big pass to Jackson, this time for a 38-yard gain, but a few plays later Swindle, under pressure, fumbled and Little Rock Recovered.
The Gryphons took a lead with 6:58 on a 1-yard run on a fourth-and-inches try. Russellville blocked its second field goal to leave the score 12-9.
Russellville took over on its own 42. Then Sam Callahan broke free for 58 yards and a touchdown on the very next play. Perez added the PAT to make it 16-12.
After that, the Cyclones were able to march the field and run out the clock.