Bison rally for 27-26 win over Patriots

The Bison head to the line of scrimmage after breaking the huddle against Hazen. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

PALESTINE — The Carlisle Bison made the plays when it needed to in a 27-26 win over the Palestine-Wheatley Patriots on Friday night.

With the win, Carlisle is now 3-4 overall but 3-2 in 2A-6 conference play. The Bison are currently fourth in the conference. McCrory is undefeated at 6-0. Des Arc and Hazen are both 4-1, followed by the Bison. Augusta is 3-3. Brinkley is 2-3. Palestine-Wheatley is 2-4. Marvell and Clarendon are both winless at 0-5. The top five teams in the conference advance to the Class 2A state playoffs, which start in three weeks.

In Friday's game, the Patriots led 26-20 with 6:16 left in the game following a 5-yard run by Antwan Dawson.

Carlisle got the ball back to a the Palestine 49. The Bison drove 49 yards in 12 plays with Devon Kendrick scoring on a 2-yard run with 59 seconds left. Nicolas Duhoux broke the tie by kicking the extra point, making the score 27-26.

The Patriots returned the ensuing kickoff to the Bison 48. A few plays later, Palestine fumbled and Carlisle's Cody Edge returned the ball for a touchdown. However, the scoring play was called back because of a block in the back penalty. The Bison took possession of the ball and kneeled out the clock for the victory.

Carlisle led 6-0 in the first quarter on a 39-yard run by quarterback Ty Golleher. Palestine tied it at 6-6 on an 18-yard run by Dawson. 

The Bison reclaimed the lead at 12-6 on 7-yard run by Kendrick with 5:56 left in the first half. 

The Patriots tied it at 12-12 on a  3-yard run by Davonte Jordan with 3:44 left in the first half. They took a 20-12 lead when Dawson returned a Bison fumble 86 yards for a touchdown. They scored the two-point conversion. 

The score remained the same until Kendrick scored on a 14-yard run with 1:20 left in the third quarter. He also scored the two-point conversion to tie the game at 20-20. 

Kendrick led the Bison with 160 yard rushing on 15 carries. Golleher had 129 yards on 7 carries. Tyler Teel had 114 yards on 23 carries. 

Carlisle will host Brinkley for homecoming Friday night at Fred C. Hardke Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.