JV Jackrabbits beat Stuttgart

The Lonoke Jackrabbits offense waits for a play during junior varsity action on Monday. (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

LONOKE — The Lonoke Jackrabbits junior varsity football team beat Stuttgart 20-12 on Monday night at James B. Abraham Stadium. 

Lonoke took a 6-0 lead in the first half on a touchdown pas from Will Miller to Isaac Toney. The two-point conversion failed.

Stuttgart tied the game at 6-6 on a touchdown pass on the final play of the first half. 

Lonoke reclaimed the lead at 14-6 on a 2-yard run by Joe Carter with 7 minutes left in the game. Miller then threw to Carter for the two-point conversion.

Lonoke's final touchdown came on a 7-yard run by Carter with 1:41 left. The two-point conversion failed.

Stuttgart cut the deficit to 20-12 with 49 seconds left. Lonoke sealed the victory on a long run for a first down by Carter. 

Lonoke's Isaac Toney scores a touchdown during JV action on Monday.

Jackrabbits fall to Panthers in 4A-2 opener

Lonoke center Chance Bronson [66] blocks for running back Josh Coleman during
 Friday's game with Heber Springs. (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

LONOKE — The Lonoke Jackrabbits got off to an ideal start in the 4A-2 conference opener Friday against Heber Springs. However, there were 47 minutes and 14 seconds left to play.

Lonoke's Caleb Bailey returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown but the Panthers took advantage of several Lonoke miscues in winning 40-24. The Jackrabbits are now 1-3 on the season.

After Bailey's touchdown, the Jackrabbits missed the extra point, leaving the score at 6-0 with 11:46 left in the first quarter.

Heber Springs had a chance to tie early on its first possession, driving the ball to the Lonoke 13 but Lonoke's Trey Bevis forced a fumble by Heber Springs quarterback Hunter Chandler and Lonoke's Justin Meadows recovered the ball at the Lonoke 3. The Jackrabbits were then forced to punt and the Panthers drove 58 yards in six plays. Chandler Marquardt scored on a 23-yard run with  1:25 left in the first quarter. The extra point was no good, leaving the score tied at 6-6.

The Jackrabbits were forced to punt on their next possession. On the first play of the second quarter, Heber Springs' Luke McGowan blocked Ethan Holland's punt and returned it for a touchdown. The Panthers kicked the extra point to lead 13-6.

On Lonoke's next possession, Heber Springs' Austin McVay intercepted a pass. That led to a 21-yard touchdown run by Marquardt with 10:45 left in the first half. 

The Jackrabbits got on the board again when Savonte Rountree threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Meadows with 5:41 left in the first half. However, Heber Springs scored late in the half on a 22-yard pass from Chandler to McVay to give the Panthers a 26-12 halftime lead.

Heber Springs pushed its lead to 32-12 on an 18-yard pass from Chandler to Edgar Torres with 5:14 left in the third quarter.

Lonoke did not go away quietly. The Jackrabbits cut the deficit to 32-18 on a 39-yard pass from Rountree to Meadows with 3:29 left in the third quarter. 

The Jackrabbits then forced a punt, which was blocked and Lonoke got the ball at its own 48. Lonoke's possession ended on an interception. Lonoke's defense stiffened and forced another Heber Springs punt. 

The Jackrabbits then pulled to within one score at 32-24 on a 43-yard scoring pass from Rountree to Meadows with 5:42 left. The two-point conversion failed.

Lonoke tried an onside kick but the Panthers recovered at the 50-yard line. They put the game away when Chandler scored on a 1-yard run with 1:35 left. He also scored the two-point conversion to make the score 40-24. 

Heber Springs outgained Lonoke 382-339. The Panthers rushed for 276 yards and passed for 106. 

Bevis led Lonoke with 13 tackles. Chandler Elmore had nine. Gabe Rooney had seven. Getting five tackles each were Bailey, Deondray Joyner, Ethan Holland, Lance Dugger and Lucas McKenzie.

Rountree completed 15 of 27 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns. Meadows caught eight passes for 181 yards and three scores. Logan Dozier caught two passes for 24 yards.

Lonoke will try to bounce back when the Jackrabbits travel to Newport to take on the Greyhounds. Newport is coming off a 40-20 loss to West Helena.  

Lonoke quarterback Savonte Rountree [9] congratulates teammate Justin Meadows
 after they hooked up for a third touchdown against Heber Springs. 

Lady Jackrabbits improve to 10-0 in league volleyball action

Lonoke's Jarrelyn McCall [22] blocks the hit by Clinton's Randi McDonald during
the Lady Jackrabbits' conference victory on Thursday at the Gina Cox Center.
 Backing up on the play for Lonoke is Janae Miller. (Photos by Mark Buffalo) 

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

LONOKE — It took a little bit of extra work but the Lonoke Lady Jackrabbits volleyball team is still undefeated in league play.

Lonoke beat Clinton in four games to improve to 10-0 in the 4A-Central on Thursday night at the Gina Cox Center. The scores were 25-21, 25-12, 18-25, 25-22. The Lady Jackrabbits have six conference matches remaining.

Lonoke coach Laura Park said the reason for the 10-0 start has been the "heart" her players have shown this year.

"These girls love what they are doing, they work very hard at it; it is a passion for them," Park said. "It shows through. There have been times we've been down 6, 8, 10 or 12 points and should lose and we wind up coming back and winning. 

"It's their determination and their heart. They give everything they've got."

Park said one thing she is emphasizing this year is to not let down at any point, especially after winning the first game or first two games of a match, similar to what they did against Clinton on Thursday. 

"If you've won the first two, you've got to work even harder, and play harder and smarter," Park said. "No one is going to lay down and let you have the win."

During the win over Clinton, Lonoke missed five consecutive serves in the third game when the Lady Jackrabbits lost 25-18. 

"We don't do that normally," Park said. 

Despite the hiccup in the third game, Lonoke played strong in the fourth game. Behind the serve of Paola Negrete, the Lady Jackrabbits rallied from an early deficit to lead 11-9. 

Lonoke eventually got it to game point on the serve of Jarrelyn McCall, who gave Lonoke a 24-20 lead after rate score was tied at 20-20. 

Clinton forced a sideout to get the serve back but a rally at 24-22 went wide, giving the Lady Jackrabbits the victory.

Park rotated seven players in the victory. They included Negrete, McCall, Emily Moore, Janae Miller, Kira Gibbs, Eboni Willis and Charley Jo Chesney.

With six games remaining in conference play, Park knows Lonoke is the team to beat. 

"I try to emphasize to them that we may be 10-0 but we have a target on our back," she said. "I've got several girls who like to go deer hunting. 'You're the biggest deer in the field … and everyone is wanting to come after you. You've got to do what you can to keep them from getting you."

Lonoke travels to Central Arkansas Christian on Tuesday. The Lady Jackrabbits host West Helena next Thursday, Oct. 2.

Lonoke coach Laura Park talks to her team during its win over Clinton.

Bison knock off Augusta for first win

The Carlisle Bison celebrate after beating Augusta on Friday for their first win of season. (Photo by Lindsey Thaxton)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

AUGUSTA — The Carlisle Bison may have struggled in their first two games this season but that is all out the window because the Bison are now 1-0.

Carlisle rallied then held off Augusta for a 44-38 win over the Red Devils in the 2A-6 opener last Friday

"It's good to get that monkey off our back," Carlisle coach Jack Keith said, referring to his first head coaching victory. "Now, maybe we can play more relaxed and not press as much."

The Bison fell behind early as the Red Devils led 12-0 with 3:09 left in the first quarter. Carlisle scored the next 14 points to lead 14-12. Clinton Hampton scored on a 33-yard run. He also added the two-point conversion.

Carlisle quarterback Chase Brazeal scored on a 1-yard run with 10:47 left in the first half.

Augusta reclaimed the lead at 20-14 on a 64-yard pass less than a minute later. Carlisle's Devon Kendrick then scored on a 22-yard run. Hampton added the two-point conversion to give the Bison a 22-20 lead.

Augusta scored another touchdown right before halftime to lead 26-22.

Carlisle took a 30-26 lead on a 5-yard run by Hampton with 9:56 left in the third quarter. The Red Devils respond with a 49-yard touchdown run with 9:03 left in the quarter. Carlisle would not be outdone as Hampton scored on a 1-yard run with 3:52 left to make the score 36-32.

Carlisle pushed its lead to 44-32 on a 1-yard run by Brazeal with 8:37 let tin the game. Hampton added the two-point conversion.

Augusta cut Carlisle's lead to 44-38 with 5:06 left but could not get any closer.

Keith said his team was able to move the ball after being stopped on its first drive when Augusta took a 12-0 lead. 

"They didn't stop us any drive other than that one," he said. 

Hampton rushed for 181 yards on 27 carries. Kendrick had 118 yards on 20 carries. Tyler Sanders had 28 yards on six carries. Grant Sumner had an interception on defense.

Carlisle travels to Des Arc for it second conference game this Friday. The Eagles are coming off a 42-40 win over Brinkley last week. 

"They are going to play tough and hit you in the mouth," Keith said of the Eagles, which finished as the Class 2A state runners-up in 2013. "They are a little faster than usual. We've got some things to square up on the defensive side of the ball. If we get those squared away, we'll be okay.

"The offense has been able to move the ball all year. We've just got to be able to bow our necks and stop somebody."

Kickoff on Friday at Des Arc is set for 7 p.m.

McClellan rallies past Jackrabbits, 21-20

The Lonoke Jackrabbits warm up prior to their game with Beebe on Sept. 12 (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

LITTLE ROCK — It was not a good ending for the Lonoke Jackrabbits football team.

The Little Rock McClellan Lions overcame a 20-6 deficit to beat the Jackrabbits 21-20 on Friday night. With the loss, Lonoke finishes non-conference play at 1-2. 

The Jackrabbits seemed to have everything going their way in the second half. They led 14-6 at halftime and pushed the lead to 20-6 in the third quarter on an 11-yard run by Logan Dozier. The extra point was no good. The score was set up by a 60-yard pass play from Savonte Rountree to Chandler Elmore down to the McClellan 9.

McClellan cut Lonoke's lead to 20-14 in the third quarter on an 11-yard touchdown pass and two-point conversion. 

The Jackrabbits were driving in the fourth quarter and had the ball at the McClellan 32 but consecutive penalties pushed the Jackrabbits back to the Lions 48. After an incomplete pass, Rountree was forced out of the pocket and he attempted a screen pass, which was intercepted and returned 48 yards for a McClellan touchdown. They kicked the extra point to lead 21-20.

Lonoke drove the ball into McClellan territory but could not score again. 

The Jackrabbits led 7-0 after the first possession of the game. Rountree threw a 54-yard touchdown pass to Justin Meadows. Jacob Vandiver kicked the extra point.

McClellan cut the deficit to 7-6 following a Lonoke penalty in the end zone. It looked as if Caleb Bailey had intercepted a pass but the Jackrabbits were called for pass interference. McClellan then scored on a 10-yard run. The Lions missed the extra point.

Lonoke pushed its lead to 14-6 on an 8-yard pass from Rountree to Meadows late in the first half. Vandiver kicked the extra point.

Rountree completed 13 of 30 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns. Elmore caught three passes for 84 yards. Meadows caught two for 60. Dozier caught four passes for 48 yards.

Devin Mosely led Lonoke with 60 yards rushing on 18 carries. Bailey had 55 yards on seven carries. 

Lonoke finished with 414 yards in total offense. McClellan had 164 yards.

Ethan Holland led Lonoke with 11 tackles. Bailey and Dylan Goforth had nine each. 

The Jackrabbits open 4A-2 conference play this Friday against the Heber Springs Panthers, which enter conference play at 2-1. Kickoff at James B. Abraham Stadium is set for 7 p.m.

Jr. Jackrabbits get second win, shut out Riverview 12-0

Lonoke's Michael Hodges rushed for 208 yards against Riverview.
(Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

SEARCY — The Lonoke Junior Jackrabbits opened 4A-2 conference play with a 12-0 win over Riverview on Thursday.

Lonoke is now 2-1 on the season. 

Lonoke's Michael Hodges and Xavier Hodge both scored touchdowns in the victory. Hodges rushed for 208 yards on 24 carries. Hodge had 22 yards on 7 carries. 

Lonoke quarterback Kade Stuart completed 4 of 8 passes for 13 yards. Tallon Swint caught four passes for 13 yards. 

"It's always nice to get off to a 1-0 start in conference play," Lonoke coach Darrick Lowery said. "We played a bit of a sloppy first half but the guys came out of halftime with enthusiasm and locked in and we were able to pull out the win. 

"Our offensive line did a much better job in the second half. Give those guys a lot of credit for the win."

Lonoke will travel to Heber Springs next week. 

Junior Bison come up 2 points, 7 yards short against Augusta

Carlisle's JaMarious Harper heads into the end zone for the first of four touchdowns against Augusta.
(Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

CARLISLE — The Carlisle Junior Bison simply ran out of time.

After trailing 30-12 at halftime, Carlisle came up seven yards short of beating Augusta in the home opener Thursday at Fred C. Hardke Field. The Junior Red Devils won 30-28.

Carlisle cut the deficit to 30-20 on a  51-yard run by JaMarious Harper with 6:12 left in the third quarter. Kolton Davidson added the two-point conversion. 

Carlisle forced Augusta into a three-and-out on its next possession. The Junior Bison then drove 62 yards in 13 plays with Harper scoring on a 7-yard run with 6:07 left in the game. Davidson scored the two-point conversion to trail 30-28. Davidson gained 55 yards on the drive.

Augusta held the ball for almost four minutes, driving the ball to the Carlisle 24. The Junior Bison got the ball back when Houston Garrich stripped the ball away from Augusta's Devin Taylor. The Juinor Bison recovered the ball at their own 21 with 2:29 left.

Behind the running of Davidson and Harper, Carlisle drove the ball to the Augusta 20. The Junior Bison took their final timeout with 32 seconds left. Harper then gained three yards to the Augusta 17. Carlisle then rushed to the line and Davidson gained 10 yards to the Augusta 7. The clock stopped to move the chains with 1 second left. Carlisle was not able to snap the ball again before the horn sounded. 

Harper scored Carlisle's first touchdown on an 8-yard run with 6:05 left in the first half, tying the score at 6-6.

The Junior Bison outgained Augusta 344-212. Davidson had 211 yards rushing on 21 carries. He also caught one pass for 21 yards from Braiden Jenkins. Harper had 105 yards on 14 carries.

Taylor led Augusta with 126 yards rushing on 15 carries. 

Carlisle will host Des Arc this Thursday in a 2A-6 conference game. 

Kolton Davidson rushed for 211 yards against Augusta.
(Photo by Mark Buffalo)

Second quarter dooms Bison in 34-32 loss to 4A Dragons

Carlisle's Clinton Hampton [1] follows the blocking of Colton Isbell during the Bison's game
with England on Sept. 5. Hampton rushed for 303 yards against DeWitt last week. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

CARLISLE — The Carlisle Bison got off to a quick start but a bad second quarter doomed them in a 34-32 loss to Class 4A DeWitt on Friday night at Fred C. Hardke Field. 

The Bison took a 16-0 lead in the first quarter. Clinton Hampton scored on a 4-yard run and added the two-point conversion. He scored on a 4-yard run with 5:36 left in the first quarter. Jacob Cagle added the two-point conversion.

Then there was the second quarter.

DeWitt scored 31 points to lead 31-16 at halftime.

DeWitt's Jake Rieves scored on a  2-yard run on the first play of the second quarter. Jamari Gamble scored the two-point conversion to make the score 16-8.

Dayne Van Camp then scored on a 51-yard run with 7:49 left. Rieves scored the two-point conversion to tie the game at 16-16.

DeWitt's Jamarious Bradford scored on an 18-yard run with 1:46 left in the first half. After the two-point conversion, the Dragons led 24-16.

The Dragons then returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown. Wayne Van Camp kicked the extra point to make the score 31-16 at halftime.

"We got off to a great start, scoring on our first two drives and stopping them on their first drive," Carlisle coach Jack Keith said. "You can't get off to a much better start that going up 16-0."

Keith said the Bison let it get away from them in the second quarter.

"We had a big fumble that led to a score for them … and they had another interception returned for another score," he said. "It kinda fell apart there in the second quarter. But I was proud of the way they bounced back after halftime. We were able to get back into it and kept moving the ball."

DeWitt pushed their lead to 34-16 on a  20-yard field goal early in the third quarter. The Bison then scored two third-quarter touchdowns. Hampton scored on a 1-yard run with 7:59 left. He scored the two-point conversion. Devon Kendrick returned a block punt 31 yards for a touchdown with 6:02 left. Zack Caviness scored the two-point conversion. 

Hampton led the Bison with 303 yards rushing on 31 carries. Cagle had 86 yards on 23 carries. 

Clay Parker led the Bison with 11 tack.es. Dylan Brazeal had nine. Thomas McCallie had eight. Nick Schafer had an interception. 

"You take one quarter away and it's a big difference," Keith said of his team's performance against DeWitt. "We've got to keep competing and get rid of that one bad quarter and we'll be alright."

The Bison travel to Augusta for the 2A-6 conference opener Friday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Late TD lifts Jackrabbits past Badgers

Lonoke receiver Justin Meadows heads toward the end zone for a touchdown in the first quarter
of the Jackrabbits win over the Beebe Badgers on Friday night. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

BEEBE — The Lonoke Jackrabbits showed all kinds of heart as things looked bleak after turning the ball over on downs with 9:27 left in their game with the Beebe Badgers on Friday at Bro Erwin Stadium.

However, Lonoke was the recipient of a fourth Beebe turnover at its own 10 then drove 90 yards in about 2 minutes to beat the Badgers 30-26. 

Logan Dozier threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Chandler Elmore with 23 seconds left out of the wildcat formation. 

"I was proud of the offense, going about 90 yards," Lonoke coach Doug Bost said. "We threw some passes, caught it, made plays. I'm real proud of them being able to drive the field in less than three minutes."

Lonoke quarterback Savonte Rountree engineered the game-winning drive as he completed a 27-yard pass to Caleb Bailey and a 13-yard pass to Logan Dozier, moving the ball to the 50-yard line. After a penalty, Rountree threw a 17-yard pass to Justin Meadows. Two plays later, Rountree threw  a 21-yard pass to Elmore to the Beebe 12-yard line. 

Rountree was sacked back to the 15-yard line but Beebe was called for a defensive holding penalty, moving the ball to the Beebe 5. Two plays later, Elmore scored the go-ahead touchdown. 

Rountree then threw to Meadows for the two-point conversion.

Bost said his team tried to run the ball in from the Beebe 2 before going for the wildcat play with Dozier. Bost said the Badger defense was plugging up the holes. 

"We shot Chandler out of the backfield and he made a play," He said. "It was close. He [Elmore] said he caught it. We'll take that rascal."

Beebe had a final chance but fumbled the ball after a long pass play. The fumble was Beebe's fifth of the game.

"They turned the ball over and you've got to convert after that," Bost said. "We were able to do that a few times."

Lonoke took a 6-0 lead on a 74-yard pass from Rountree to Meadows with 5:25 left in the first quarter.

Beebe took a 7-6 lead when Xavier Jones scored on a 1-yard run with 10:05 left in the first half. Tyler Jones kicked the extra point.

Lonoke reclaimed the lead on a 38-yard pass from Rountree to Meadows with 27.8 seconds left in the first half. Dozier threw to Stephon Carthron for the two-point conversion and a 14-7 lead.

However, Beebe drove 64 yards in five plays with Aaron Nunez scored on a 1-yard run with 3 seconds left. Jovaughn Wyrick had a 41-yard run on the drive. 

A bad snap on the extra point left Lonoke ahead 14-13.

Beebe took a 19-14 lead on a 27-yard run by Jones with 8:09 left in the third quarter. Lonoke reclaimed the lead at 22-19 on a 5-yard run by Rountree with 5:45 left in the third quarter. Dozier scored the two-point conversion. 

Beebe took a 26-22 lead with 44.7 seconds left in the third quarter on a 1-yard run by Jones.

Rountree completed 9 of 16 passes for 255 yards. He rushed for 72 yards on 16 carries. Bailey rushed for 65 yards on 10 carries. 

Meadows caught 5 passes for 175 yards. Elmore caught three passes for 47 yards.

Lonoke will attempt to improve to 2-1 when they travel to Little Rock to take on the McClellan Lions on Friday, Sept. 19. Game time is 7 p.m.

Lonoke's Chandler Elmore tackles Beebe's Jesse Crisco in the first half (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

Lonoke's Stephon Carthron catches a pass for a 2-point conversion
(Photo by Mark Buffalo)

Bison to host Class 4A DeWitt on Friday

The Carlisle Bison enter the field prior to their game with England last week. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

The Carlisle Bison will take on a "new" opponent this Friday. 

For the first time during the modern era of high school football, the Carlisle Bison will play the DeWitt Dragons. DeWitt is coming off a 34-13 loss to Little Rock Episcopal on Sept. 2. The Bison lost to England 54-22 on Friday night.

DeWitt is ranked 34th in Class 4A by Hooten's Arkansas Football. The Bison are ranked 22nd in Class 2A. 

The Dragons are favored by 10 points over the Bison.

Kickoff at Fred C. Hardke Field is set for 7 p.m.

Lonoke travels to Beebe on Friday night

The Jackrabbits defense make a stop against Star City. (Photo by Scott Ward, KOESPORTS.com)

The Lonoke Jackrabbits will face a familiar opponent when they play the Beebe Badgers on Friday night at Beebe's Bro Erwin Stadium.

The Badgers and Jackrabbits have been rivals for many years, having played against each other in the second week of the season for a while now. A year ago, Lonoke beat Beebe 41-14 at James B. Abraham Stadium.

Lonoke, ranked 10th in Class 4A by Hooten's Arkansas Football, is coming off a 31-18 loss to Star City in the season opener last week. Beebe, ranked ninth in Class 5A, is coming off a 48-29 loss to Greenbrier on Sept. 2 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

Lonoke is a 4-point favorite over Beebe, according to Hooten's Arkansas Football.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. 

Jackrabbits come up short against Star City in opener

Lonoke's Trey Bevis [28] and Chandler Elmore make a tackle against Star City. (Photo by Scott Ward, KOESPORTS.COM)

By Mark Buffalo 

and Larry Cash

Staff Writers

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

LONOKE — In a seesaw affair, Lonoke wasn't able to pull off a victory as the Star City Bulldogs beat the Jackrabbits 31-18 in the season opener Friday night at James B. Abraham Stadium.

Star City led 3-0 on a 26-yard field goal by Eric Estavon with 6:43 left in the first quarter.

Star City pushed its lead to 9-0 on a 50-yard touchdown pass from Blake Brown to Blake Wynn with 4:55 left in the first quarter.

Lonoke got on the board when Savonte Rountree threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Chandler Elmore with 2:16 left in the first quarter. The extra point was no good, leaving the score at 9-6.

The Jackrabbits took a 12-9 lead with 8:59 left in the first half on a 4-yard run by Rountree. The extra point was no good. 

Lonoke got the ball back after an Ethan Holland interception but could not score.

Star City took a 16-12 lead on a 4-yard run by Darren Chaney with 35.8 seconds left in the first half.

Lonoke reclaimed the lead when Justin Meadows returned the second half kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was no good, leaving the score at 18-16.

Star City took a 24-18 lead when the Bulldogs recovered a Lonoke fumble and returned it 62 yards for a touchdown with 6:25 left in the third quarter. 

The Bulldogs added to their lead with a 7-yard touchdown run by Duwan Harris with 1:25 left in the third quarter.

Rountree completed 4 of 13 passes for 79 yards. He rushed 13 times for 97 yards.

Josh Coleman had 29 yards on seven carries. 

Elmore caught 2 passes for 38 yards. 

Lonoke had 224 yards in total offense.

Star City had 368 yards in total offense. The Bulldogs had 201 yards passing and 167 yards rushing.

Holland led Lonoke with 10 tackles. He also had an interception and a fumble recovery.

Elmore had nine tackles. Caleb Bailey had eight. Braylon Bryant and Lance Dugger had six tackles each.

Lonoke will travel to Beebe to take on the Badgers this Friday at Bro. Erwin Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

The Badgers are coming off a 48-29 loss to Greenbrier in the season opener last week at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. 

Josh Coleman takes a handoff from quarterback Savonte Rountree (Photo by Scott Ward, KOESPORTS.COM)

Bison can't keep up with Lions in season opener

Bison head coach Jack Keith (with hat) and assistant Lonnie Roberson talk to their team during Friday's season opener against England. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

CARLISLE — It was not a good opening night for the Carlisle Bison football team.

The England Lions jumped out to a 21-0 en route to a 54-22 win over Carlisle in the season opener Friday night at Fred C. Hardke Field. 

England's win was its first over the Bison since 2005.

England's first touchdown came on a 15-yard run by Braden Brazeal. After a Carlisle punt, Brazeal threw a 91-yard touchdown pass to Tyrik Harris. After forcing another Carlisle punt, Harris returned the kick 48 yards for a touchdown with 3:49 left in the first half.

The Bison got on the board late in the first half, driving 61 yards in seven plays with Jacob Cagle scoring on a 6-yard run with 47 seconds left in the half. Clinton Hampton scored the two-point conversion to make the score 21-8. 

The big play of the drive was a 30-yard pass play from Chase Brazeal to Nick Schafer down to the England 10. Cagle scored three plays later.

England scored four times in the second half before the Bison were able to crack the scoreboard for a second time. Brazil threw a 13-yard scoring pass to Xavier Iverson. Malik Coleman scored on a 5-yard run. Monte Toney scored on a 5-yard run while Iverson threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Spencer Apel to give the Lions a 47-8 lead with 28 seconds left in the third quarter.

Carlisle broke the scoring drought when Cagle scored on a 37-yard run with 9:51 left in the game. The two-point conversion failed.

England's Zach Montgomery scored the Lions' final touchdown on a 63-yard run with 6:46 left. 

Carlisle's final touchdown came on a 6-yard pass from quarterback Cole Sheets to Schafer with 13 seconds left. Hampton added the two-point conversion.

The Bison finished with 173 yards in total offense. Cagle rushed for 111 yards on 21 carries. Chase Brazeal completed 2 of 4 passes for 32 yards. Schafer caught two passes for 36 yards.

England had 437 yards in total offense. Braden Brazeal completed 9 of 14 passes for 213 yards.

Carlisle will try to bounce back next week in the final non-conference game as it hosts the DeWitt Dragons at Fred C. Hardke Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on Sept. 12. 

Bison tight end Nick Schafer catches a pass late in the first half.
(Photo by Mark Buffalo)

Carlisle running back Jacob Cagle, right, takes the ball from quarterback Chase Brazeal.
Cagle scored a touchdown on the play. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

Jr. Rabbits hold on to beat Beebe 8-6

Lonoke's Michael Hodges head to the end zone for a two-point conversion
in the Junior Rabbits' 8-6 win over Beebe
(Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

LONOKE — The Lonoke Junior Jackrabbits broke a scoreless tie in the fourth quarter then held out Beebe for a potential game-tying two-point conversion to beat the Junior Badgers 8-6 in the season opener Thursday night at James B. Abraham Stadium.

Lonoke recovered a Beebe fumble at the 50-yard line with 4:08 left in the game. From there, Lonoke's Michael Hodges carried the ball 10 straight times as he scored on a 1-yard run with 39.8 seconds left. He also scored the two-point conversion to make the score 8-0.

Beebe seemed to be dead in the water, facing third down with 8 seconds left. The Junior Badgers lined up in punt formation but it lead to a fake with Bailey Dillon racing 73 yards for a touchdown with no time remaining. Lonoke then stopped Beebe on the two-point conversion, giving the Junior Jackrabbits the win.

"We've tried to instill in these kids … to play a four-quarter ball game," second-year Lonoke coach Darrick Lowery said. "They showed a lot of heart. We knew it was going to be a tough game with Beebe. It always is because they are very physical. Our kids responded."

Lowery gave credit to the offensive line for the game-winning drive.

"They put the team on their back, and pounded it in, getting the touchdown and the two points, which proved to be the difference," Lowery said. 

Hodges rushed for 77 yards on 18  carries.

Lonoke will travel to Little Rock to play Little Rock Christian next week. 

"It was a real sloppy game," Lowery said of the season opener. "We've got a lot of mistakes we can correct. A lot of good things can come from watching the film. We will be ready to go for next week."

Lonoke's Myke Williams [5] tackles Beebe's Isaac Curry.
(Photo by Mark Buffalo)

Lonoke vs. Star City in season opener

The Lonoke Junior Jackrabbits make a tackle against Maumelle last week. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

For the fifth consecutive season, the Lonoke Jackrabbits and Star City Bulldogs will kick off the football season. Friday's game is at James B. Abraham Stadium with a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Star City has won the previous three meetings; Lonoke won the first matchup in 2010 in the Hootens Kickoff Classic at Golden Lion Stadium in Pine Bluff. 

Lonoke is coming off its best season since finishing as state runner-up in 2009. The Jackrabbits lost to Maumelle in the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs. Star City advanced to the third round, losing to Pine Bluff Dollarway. 

Lonoke is ranked fourth in Class 4A by Hooten's Arkansas Football; Star City is ranked sixth but the Bulldogs are favored by seven in the season opener.

Junior High Action

Lonoke will host Beebe in the season opener Thursday at James B. Abraham Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Bison vs. England in season opener

Carlisle's Jacob Cagle carries the ball during the Bison's scrimmage with Dumas last week at Fred C. Hardke Field. (Photo by Scott Ward, www.koesports.com)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

The Carlisle Bison will face a familiar foe Friday night when they open the 2014 football season.

Carlisle will play former conference member England in the "Battle of the Beasts," sponsored by the Bank of England and the Carlisle Banking Center at Fred C. Hardke Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

A year ago, the Bison beat England 30-12 in the regular-season finale. The Lions jumped out to a 12-0 lead before Carlisle rallied for the win.

Carlisle's season ended with a 38-28 loss to eventual state champion Junction City in the Class 2A state title game. England lost to Hector 56-14 in the second round of the state playoffs.

The Bison are ranked 13th in Class 2A by Hooten's Arkansas Football; England is ranked 16th. Carlisle is favored by 13 points in the Lonoke County matchup. 

Junior High Action

The Carlisle Junior Bison will play at McCrory in the regular-season opener Thursday night. Game time is 7 p.m.