Bison clinch playoff spot with rout of Lions

Bison coach Jack Keith talks to his team prior to their game with Brinkley. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

CLARENDON — For the 25th time in 27 seasons and 10th in a row, the Carlisle Bison football team is playoff bound.

Carlisle improved to 4-5 overall and 4-3 in 2A-6 conference with a 44-12 win over the Clarendon Lions. With the win, The Bison secured a playoff spot, which starts next week.

"This is huge," Carlisle coach Jack Keith said of his team making the playoffs. "We can play loose this week against McCrory and not have to press and worrying about winning to get in."

In the win over Clarendon, the Bison took an 8-0 lead with 2:43 left in the first quarter. Devon Kendrick scored on a 9-yard run. He added the two-point conversion.

The Bison pushed the lead to 22-0 on a 2-yard run by Ty Golleher and a 58-yard touchdown pass from Golleher to Brynden Weems. 

Clarendon got on the board with a two-yard run with 2:13 left in the first half. Carlisle got that score back when Golleher scored on a 5-yard run with 25 seconds left. Kendrick added the two-point conversion to give the Bison a  30-6 halftime lead.

The Bison's lead ballooned to 37-6 when JaSean Harper scored on a 7-yard run with 8:11 left in the third quarter. Nicolas Duhoux kicked the extra point.

Carlisle's final score came on a 11-yard run by Garnell Harris with 9:17 left in the game. Duhoux kicked the extra point to give the Bison a 44-6. 

Clarendon added another touchdown with 2:22 left.

"We showed up and played the game we're supposed to play," Keith said. "We took care of business."

Golleher led the Bison with 121 yards rising on 25 carries. He completed both of his passes for 82 yards. Catching passes were Weems and Tristan Seidenschwarz.

Kendrick added 67 yards rushing on 11 carries.

The Bison conclude the regular season on the road Thursday night against McCrory. The Jaguars are undefeated in conference play at 7-0.