Bison push Eagles but fall 28-24

Carlisle's Tyler Teel [36] and Gray Amaden sack Des Arc quarterback Noah Kennedy in the first quarter. (Photos by Mark Buffalo) 

By Mark Buffalo

Sports Editor

CARLISLE — It may not have been the outcome that Carlisle fans wanted but the Bison showed they are not a pushover in a 28-24 loss to the Des Arc Eagles on Friday at Fred C. Hardke Field. 

The Bison (1-3, 1-1 2A-6)) led 16-14 at halftime and 24-22 early in the fourth quarter before the Eagles (3-1, 2-1)  rallied for the win. 

"I'm real proud of how they played and real proud of their heart," Carlisle coach Jack Keith said. "They played four full quarters and never gave up at all. There were times we put the defense in a bad spot and we could have laid down and let them walk in. We fought them all the way."

Keith said his team made a few mistakes that were costly. 

"When you're in a tight ballgame like that, an offsides or motion penalty, missing a block here or there … that's big," Keith said. "We've got to get those little mistakes cleaned up. When we do, we'll be a team to be reckoned with."

Des Arc, which dominated the time of possession 32 minutes to 16 minutes, jumped out to an 8-0 lead after forcing the Bison to punt on the game's opening possession. The Eagles drove 80 yards in 11 plays with Noah Kennedy scoring on a 3-yard run with 5:17 left in the first quarter. Trey Lee added the two-point conversion.

It didn't take the Bison any time to even the score. 

On the next play from scrimmage, Carlisle quarterback Ty Golleher darted 63 yards for a touchdown with 4:59 left in the first quarter. Devon Kendrick scored the two-point conversion to tie the game at 8-8.

The Bison forced Des Arc to punt on its next possession. However, the Eagles tried a fake punt but they dropped a wide-open pass. That led to Carlisle taking a 16-8 lead. Golleher scored on a 26-yard run with 11:18 left in the first half. Kendrick scored the two-point conversion. 

Des Arc pulled to within 2 at 16-14 following an interception. Lee scored on a 3-yard run with 2:01 left in the first half. The two-point conversion attempt failed as the Bison led 16-14 at halftime. 

The Eagles got the ball to start the second half and drove 83 yards in 18 plays with Lee scoring on a 1-yard run with 3:31 left in the third quarter. He also scored the two-point conversion to give his team a 22-16 lead. 

Carlisle answered to reclaim the lead. Kendrick scored on a 6-yard run with 11:19 left in the game. Golleher scored the two-point conversion to give the Bison a 24-22 lead.

Des Arc took a 28-24 lead after driving 60 yards in 8 plays. Kennedy scored on a 1-yard run with 7:31 left. The big play of the drive was a 35-yard pass completion from Kennedy to Colt Covington down to the Bison 5. 

Carlisle appeared to have a potential game-winning drive as it moved the ball to the Des Arc 38. The drive ended with Kendrick threw an incomplete pass with 3:30 left. From there, the Eagles held the ball for the remainder of the game. 

Carlisle finished with 236 yards in total offense. Golleher had 128 yards rushing on 13 carries. Kendrick had 58 yards on 11 carries. 

Des Arc had 333 yards in total offense. Lee had 127 yards on 28 carries. Daylon Conway had 54 yards on 10 carries. 

Kennedy completed 5 of 10 passes for 80 yards. 

Des Arc coach Drake Widener said the Bison had a great game plan against his team. 

"I think their game plan coming in was about as good as you could have," he said. "They took away all of stuff with our wings, which is the center point of our offense. But our fullback [Lee] stepped up in the second half. He scored two touchdowns. I was really proud of the kids. 

"Carlisle is a good football team. They are getting better every week. I think people really need to pay attention to them come playoff time."

Keith said his team can build off the game with Des Arc for the remainder of the season. They travel to Marvell next week before hosting Hazen on Oct. 9.

"They are a good team," Keith said of Des Arc. "They've got good size. We can build off the good, for sure. I'll never accept a moral victory but this is one we can learn from. It is one that will make us better down the road."

Carlisle's Ty Golleher drags Des Arc's Colt Covington into the end zone for a touchdown.