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)