Bison getting better, coach says

Carlisle's Jasean Harper runs the ball during the Bison's win over Brinkley last season. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

CARLISLE — The Carlisle Bison are trying to work out the kinks as they head into the season opener against Lonoke on Aug. 31 at James B. Abraham Stadium. 

The Bison are now coached by Caleb Shock, the fourth coach in the last six seasons. 

“We knew it was going to be a big adjustment for the kids,” Shock said. “One thing that I talked about with the kids today that these seniors have their fourth head coach in me in their time with the program.”

The seniors had Brandon Barbaree when they were in the seventh grade, then Jack Keith in eighth and ninth grade. Mark Uhiren was their coach in 10th and 11th grade. 

“There has been a lot to turnover and inconsistencies for these guys,” Shock said. “It’s not really a fair deal for them. It will be a life lesson that life’s not fair and you have to adjust on the fly sometimes. They have done that. They’ve really tried to embrace the things we are doing.”

The Bison scrimmaged at Bald Knob on Tuesday. 

“The biggest takeaway for me is that our guys showed marked improvement in some of the intangibles that I really challenged them to work on that wasn’t there when we got there in June. It’s just effort and attitude, a little bit of accountability to your teammates and yourself.”

Shock said the team’s execution wasn’t good at the scrimmage

“But those intangible things are the things I stress the hardest,” Shock said. 

The Bison have six seniors on the roster. They are: Jasean Harper, Christian Harrison, Baylor Craig, Kaden Bray, Braiden Jenkins and Blake Sumner.

Harrison and Jenkins missed all of summer workouts after attending basic training for the Arkansas Army National Guard. Jenkins returned right before school started two weeks ago. Harrison will be back Monday. 

Jenkins was the starting quarterback last year. Sophomore Eli Moody had been playing quarterback but was injured and Jenkins started against Bald Knob. 

“Jenkins is going to be a heavy two-way guy for us,” Shock said. 

Shock said that Harper and Bray ran the ball hard against Bald Knob. 

“Baylor has made a lot of improvement as an offensive linemen,” Shock said. “Christian, we’ll see what he can do when he gets back. He’s been a guy who has started at times over the last two years.”

Shock said his team was ready to hit another team prior to the Bald Knob scrimmage. 

"We were ready to hit someone in a different color uniform,” Shock said. “We’ve tried to be pretty physical in practice. I know our numbers are low. Being physical hardens you, prepares you because the game is physical.”

Jackrabbits healthy heading into season opener with Bison

Lonoke's Jackson Ward blocks for an extra point during the Jackrabbits' win over Carlisle last year at Fred C. Hardke Field. Ward is one of 12 seniors on this year's Jackrabbits' football team. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

LONOKE — Lonoke Jackrabbits football coach Taggart Moore said his team is good shape as it starts game week for the Carlisle Bison.

Lonoke hosts Carlisle in the Central Lonoke County Showdown on Aug. 31 at James B. Abraham Stadium. The Jackrabbits have won the previous two meetings after the rivalry was suspended after the 1990 season. 

“Everything has gone according to our plan,” said third-year coach Taggart Moore. “The main thing is we’re completely injury free, knock on wood. All 41 of them. So we’re happy about that.”

Moore said the coaching staff has installed everything offensively and defensively. The Jackrabbits scrimmaged Lamar and Dover on Tuesday in Lamar. 

“We came out of the scrimmage exactly where we need to be,” Moore said. “So we’re really happy with where we’re at right now.”

The Jackrabbits have 12 seniors on this year’s squad. And Moore said all 12 will start. They include: Braidon Bryant, Jackson Ward, Nicholas Dixon, Terry Moore, Noah Mulligan, Will McNeil, Cody Finley, Nick Tate, Dalton Smith, Hunter Keyzer, Julian Lopez and Antonio Earl. 

“The seniors are pretty much everything to this group,” Moore said. 

The seniors were sophomores when Moore took over as Lonoke coach after Doug Bost resigned after a 1-3 start. 

“They’ve gone through some hard times and some good times,” Moore said. “I feel really close with this group. They’ve seen where we were and where we’ve come to this year. They’ve all grown up physically and mentally. All of them are leaders. We’ve never had a group where all of them are going to play a big role on the field, every single one of them.”

While the Lonoke-Carlisle game does not help either team get to its ultimate goal of winning state championship, it is a huge game as far as crowds. 

“We’re excited about the game,” Moore said. “It means a lot to the two towns and to these kids and to the parents, grandparents and great grandparents.

“We’re excited about the opportunity. We love the game. It’s not a conference game but we think of it as a conference game. We think of it as a state championship game. The kids are excited. They want to play in this game. They love the crowd and the atmosphere that we get.

“We’re expecting it again. Even though it’s not a conference game, we’re not letting our foot off the pedal for sure.”