Bison swat Hornets for third win

Carlisle's Brent Bowlan runs behind the blocking of teammate Gray Amaden during the Bison's 36-8 win over Hazen on Friday night. (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

HAZEN — Twos are wild.

For the first time this season, the Carlisle Bison have won two consecutive games and ended a two-game losing streak to the Hazen Hornets.

The Bison jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead then cruised to a 36-8 win over Hazen on Friday at Hornet Field. Carlisle is now 3-3 overall and 2-2 in 2A-6 play.

“That’s a big thing right there,” Carlisle coach Mark Uhiren said of winning a rivalry game. “I think the seniors wanted this one pretty badly. You like to see them win more than anything. They know that this is the last time they will play Hazen. It’s a big deal for them.”

The Bison started conference play at 0-2. After falling behind 36-0 to Augusta, they made a game of it before falling 50-32. Against Des Arc, the Bison led late in the game before the Eagles scored a touchdown late to win. 

“I tell them to forget about it but I can’t help but keep thinking about Des Arc,” Uhiren said. “Can you imagine what that would feel like. 

“Right now, I’m trying to get across to them that we’re working towards the playoffs if that is possible. We’re keeping it in the back of our minds. Each game is a step. We’re still learning tons of things. We make fewer mistakes each game.”

Carlisle got the ball to start the game. The Bison then drove 53 yards in 10 plays with Brent Bowlan scoring on a 5-yard run with 6:55 left in the first quarter. Devon Kendrick kicked the extra point to give the Bison a 7-0 lead.

On the first play from scrimmage for Hazen, the Hornets fumbled the ball with Carlisle’s Ki Dearen recovering at the Hazen 27. Eight plays later, Ty Golleher scored on a 17-yard run with 2:35 left in the first quarter. The extra point was no good, leaving the score at 13-0.

The Bison then forced a Hazen punt and they took over at their own 17 early in the second quarter. They drove 83 yards in 13 plays with Golleher scoring on a 2-yard run with 3:45 left in the half. Bison quarterback Carson Cunningham then threw to Zach Caviness for the two-point conversion and a 21-0 lead.

Hazen got on the board to start the second half as the Hornets drove 53 yards in 10 plays. Quintin Bonds scored on a 4-yard run with 6:24 left in the third quarter. Boomsey Minor scored the two-point conversion.

The Bison put the game away with two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Kendrick scored all 15 points. He scored touchdowns on runs of 23 and and 8 yards. He scored a two-point conversion and kicked an extra point. 

Golleher finished with 221 yards rushing on 22 carries. Kendrick had 112 yards on 14 carries. Jasean Harper had 31 yards on 9 carries. Bowman had 25 yards on 10 carries.

The Bison finished with 402 yards in total offense, all on the ground.

Hazen had 59 yards of total offense.

The Bison now host the Palestine-Wheatley Patriots next week at Fred C. Hardke Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

The Patriots are 6-0 overall and 5-0 in 2A-6 play. They beat 39-6 on Friday night.

“The challenge is going to be there, that’s for sure,” Uhiren said of playing Palestine-Wheatley. “It is going to be a home game. That is going to help us a little bit. It seems like we’ve been all the road all year long. Fortunately in this league, all our games are close. 

“When you play at home, you like for people to come and support the kids. I just told them in the locker room that we’ve got to get a little better every week.”

Carlisle's Carson Cunningham returns an interception.