Bison post shutout of Patriots for homecoming win

The Carlisle Bison stop the Palestine-Wheatley Patriots on the final play of the game, preserving a 22-0 shutout. (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

CARLISLE — The Carlisle Bison had their best defensive effort in beating the Palestine-Wheatley Patriots 22-0 for a homecoming victory Friday at Fred C. Hardke Field. Kimberly Lott reigned as homecoming queen. 

The Bison (3-4) were coming off a 38-0 loss to Hazen on Oct. 10. 

"It was a great win," Carlisle coach Jack Keith said. "If we hadn't been playing them on homecoming, I wouldn't been quite as scared of them. Homecoming has all these distractions. I was real proud of our guys for going through all the distractions and coming out focused and hitting on all cylinders from the word go. We came out with an intensity and was able to maintain it for four quarters.

"It was, by far, the best defensive game we've had all years against a pretty good offense. Shutting them out is no small task."

Carlisle forced the Patriots to punt on the first possession of the game. The Bison then drove 67 yards in four plays with Clinton Hampton scoring on a 5-yard run with 8:54 left in the first quarter to make the score 6-0. The TD was set up by a 43-yard run by Hampton, down to the Palestine 43.

The Bison forced another punt the drove 47 yards in eight plays with Chase Brazeal scoring on a 1-yard run with 4:22 left in the first quarter. Hampton scored the two-point conversion to make the score 14-0. 

Carlisle's third touchdown came on the first possession of the second half. Jacob Cagle ran 38 yards for a score with 8:32 left in the third quarter. Hampton scored the two-point conversion.

Palestine's best scoring opportunity came on the final possession of the game but the Bison held them out of the end zone on the game's final play. 

Hampton led the Bison with 154 yards rushing on 28 carries. Cagle had 139 yards on 25 carries. Brazeal had 7 yards on 5 carries.

Carlisle travels to Brinkley next Friday, Oct. 24. The Bison host Clarendon on Oct. 31 and McCrory on Nov. 6.

Keith said the Bison only have to worry about what they do as they hope to clinch a playoff spot. 

"It's all about having that control," Keith said. "You don't have to worry about beating someone by so many points and someone else winning for us. We've got three games left that we have a good chance of winning. If we win all three, we'll have a pretty good seed."

Carlisle's Clinton Hampton scores a touchdown against Palestine-Wheatley