Bison rout Mustangs for 2nd win

Devon Kendrick leads the Bison onto the field during their game with Des Arc. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

MARVELL — The Carlisle Bison broke open a close game to beat the Marvell Mustangs 62-14 on Friday night.

With the win, Carlisle improves to 2-3 overall and 2-1 in 2A-6 league play.

The Bison jumped out to a 14-0 lead. Tyler Teel scored on a 34-yard run with 7:42 left in the first quarter. Devon Kendrick added the two-point conversion. Carlisle's second score came on a  37-yard pass from Ty Golleher to Kendrick with 1:13 left.

Marvell got on the board on the ensuing kickoff as Kadavieus Sanders returned the ball 81 yards for a touchdown. He also scored the two-point conversion to make the score 14-8.

The Mustangs tied it at 14-14 when Sanders returned a Bison fumble 47 yards for a touchdown early in the second quarter.

From there, it was all Bison as they scored the final 48 points of the game. 

Golleher scored on a 59-yard run with 11:28 left i the first half. 

Carlisle pushed its lead to 28-14 when Golleher threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Brynden Weems with 7:58 left in the half. Teel added the two-point conversion. 

Carlisle's next TD was of the defensive variety as Zach Means returned an interception 17 yards for a score. Nicolas Duhoux kicked his first of four extra points. 

Kendrick also returned an interception 44 yards for a score late in the first half as the Bison led 42-14. Carlisle scored a final TD in the second quarter — a 4-yard run by Gollheer with 47 seconds left, made the score 48-14 at halftime.

The Bison scored two second half touchdowns. Teel scored on an 8-yard run with 9:16 left in the third quarter and Garnell Harris scored on a 12-yard run with 3:42 left in the game.

Golleher led the Bison with 92 yards rushing on six carries.

The Bison will host rival Hazen this Friday at Fred C. Hardke Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.  

Greyhounds run past the Jackrabbits

Lonoke's Casey Martin scores his second touchdown against Newport on Friday. (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

LONOKE — The Lonoke Jackrabbits  could not stop the Newport Greyhounds in a 36-18 loss Friday night at James B. Abraham Stadium.

Lonoke is now 2-3 overall and 0-2 in 4A-2 play. Newport's win was its first of the season. 

Newport all-state running back Carl Turner rushed for 213 yards on 28 carries. He scored touchdowns on runs of 43, 10 and 33 yards. 

The Greyhounds took a 6-0 lead with 9:59 left in the first quarter when quarterback Quavion Harris thew a 68-yard touchdown pass to Darrien Roddy. Lonoke answered when Justin Meadows broke away for a 22-yard touchdown run with 6:36 left in the first quarter to tie the game at 6-6.

Newport then scored three consecutive touchdowns to lead 24-6 with 5:55 left in the third quarter. Turner scored two of his TDs while Harris scored on a 3-yard run. 

Lonoke's Casey Martin returned a kickoff 85 yards for a score with 5:43 left in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 24-12. Newport pushed its lead back to 18 at 30-12 following a 5-yard run by Roddy with 1:06 left in the third quarter.

Lonoke's last touchdown came on an 8-yard run by Martin with 8:29 left in the game. Lonoke attempted an onside kick but Newport recovered the ball. Two plays later, Turner scored on a 33-yard run to set the final score. 

Lonoke quarterback Savonte Rountree completed 2 of 11 passes for 39 yards. Ethan Holland caught both passes. 

Meadows led Lonoke with 76 yards rushing on five carries. Josh Coleman had 53 yards on 21 carries. 

Lance Dugger led Lonoke with 8 tackles. Michael Hodges had 7. Hayden Holman and Holland had 6 tackles each. Martin and Gabe Rooney had 5 tackles each.

Lonoke travels to Southside Batesville this Friday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Lonoke quarterback Savonte Rountree looks to the sideline for a play call against Newport. 

Jr. Bison rally past Des Arc, now 3-0 in league play

Junior Bison quarterback Braiden Jenkins gets ready to take a snap against McCrory earlier this season. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

DES ARC — The Carlisle Junior Bison took a big step towards winning their first conference title since 2010 when they beat the Des Arc Junior Eagles 20-12 last week.

The Junior Bison are now 3-1 overall and 3-0 in 2A-6 conference play.

Des Arc led 6-0 after the first quarter.  Carlisle tied the score at 6-0 with 7:25 left in the first quarter on a 33-yard run by Kamryn Taylor. The two-point conversion was no good. 

Des Arc reclaimed the lead at 12-6 in the second quarter. The Junior Bison took a 14-12 lead with 58 seconds left in the first half. Taylor scored on a 2-yard run and Davarious Allen scored the two-point conversion.

Carlisle added to its lead with 22 seconds left in the first half on a 10-yard run by JaSean Harper. 

Taylor led the Junior Bison with 79 yards rushing on 10 carries. Harper had 64 yards on five carries. Kaden Bray and 36 yards on five carries. Braiden Jenkins completed his only pass attempt for 18 yards. 

The Junior Bison will host Marvell on Thursday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Fred C. Hardke Field.

Injuries hurt Jackrabbits in loss to Panthers

Lonoke quarterback Will Miller looks to the sideline for a play during his team's game with Little Rock McClellan on Sept. 18. Miller threw a touchdown pass in relief against Heber Springs. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

HEBER SPRINGS — Injuries hampered the Lonoke Jackrabbits in a 20-19 loss to Heber Springs in the 4A-2 conference opener Friday night.

Lonoke (2-2, 0-1 4A-2) played without big play specialist Justin Meadows, who injured a shoulder in the Jackrabbits' loss to Little Rock McClellan on Sept. 18. In Friday's game against Heber Springs, Lonoke lost starting quarterback Savonte Rountree and starting running back and backup quarterback Logan Dozier to injuries.  Despite that, the Jackrabbits still had a chance to beat the Panthers.

Heber Springs (2-2, 1-0) took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 7-yard. Dozier, before getting hurt, threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jawaun Bryant early in the second quarter. Casey Martin kicked the tying extra point. 

The score was tied 7-7 at halftime. The Panthers got the ball to start the second half and drove inside the red zone but turned the ball over on downs. However, Lonoke fumbled the ball back to Heber Springs. 

Heber Springs' Edgar Torres scored on a 15-yard run. The extra point gave the Panthers a 14-7 lead.

Lonoke pulled to within one at 14-13 on a 3-yard run by Josh Coleman late in the third quarter. The Jackrabbits attempted the two-point conversion but were stopped on the play.

Lonoke got the ball back deep in its own territory. Martin ran 53 yards to get the Jackrabbits in striking distance. Lonoke's third quarterback of the game, Will Miller, threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Bryant early in the fourth quarter. The two-point conversion failed, leaving Lonoke ahead at 19-14. 

Heber Springs drove 71 yards for the go-ahead score. Torres scored on a 4-yard run. The two-point conversion was no good, leaving the score at 20-19.

Lonoke had a chance to rally but the Jackrabbits turned the ball over with an interception. From there, Heber Springs ran out the clock to get the win. 

Miller completed 2 of 3 passes for 29 yards.

Martin rushed for 100 yards on 11 carries. Coleman had 69 yards on 20 carries. 

Ethan Holland led Lonoke with 9 tackles. Michael Hodges had six.

Lonoke will host Newport for homecoming this week. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at James. B. Abraham Stadium.

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. 

Junior Bison rally past Augusta, now 2-0 in league play

Junior Bison quarterback Braiden Jenkins looks to pitch during the season opener against McCrory. (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

AUGUSTA — The Carlisle Junior Bison outlasted the Augusta Junior Red Devils for a 54-34 win last week.

With the win, Carlisle improves to 2-1 overall and 2-0 in 2A-6 play.

Carlisle trailed 14-0 with 17 seconds left in the first quarter.

The Junior Bison got on the board with 6:40 left in the first half on a 39-yard run by Kamryn Taylor.  Jenkins added the two-point conversion. 

Carlisle took a 16-14 lead when Jenkins scored on a 59-yard run then added the two-point conversion with 1:55 left in the first half. 

The Junior Bison added to their lead with 4:47 left in the third quarter. Davarious Allen scored on a 12-yard run. He also scored the two-point conversion give Carlisle a 24-14 lead. 

Carlisle's lead grew to 38-14. Kaden Bray scored on a 1-yard run with 7:57 left in the game. Jalen Burton then scored on a 20-yard run with 4:22 left. Jenkins added the two-point conversion.

Augusta scored again with 3:52 left on a 79-yard run. Carlisle's JaSean Harper returned the ensuing kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown. Zac VanHouten scored the two-point conversion.

Augusta returned the favor, returning its kickoff 79 yards for a touchdown with 3:24 left to make the score 46-28. And the Junior Bison did it again as Harper returned a kickoff 69 yards for a touchdown. VanHouten scored his second two-point conversion of the game to make the score 54-28. 

Augusta's final touchdown came on a 48-yard run with 50 seconds left. 

Bray led the Junior Bison with 98 yards rushing on 14 carries. Jenkins had 62 yards on seven carries. 

The Junior Bison travel to Des Arc to play the Junior Eagles on Thursday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Kaden Bray led the Junior Bison in rushing against Augusta.

Bison get first win, 1-0 in league play

The Bison coaching staff talk to their players during the scrimmage game at Lonoke last month. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

CARLISLE — The Carlisle Bison may have started 0-2 this season but that means nothing now as those games do not get them to the playoffs.

The Bison opened 2A-6 play with a 28-22 win over the Augusta Red Devils on Friday night at Fred C. Hardke Field. The Bison are 1-0 in league play. 

The Bison took a 6-0 lead less than two minutes into the game. Ty Golleher scored on a three-yard run with 10:11 left in the first quarter.

Augusta tied the score at 6-6 on a 48-yard run with 10:41 left in the first half. The Red Devils took a 14-6 lead when they returned a Bison fumble 65 yards for a touchdown. 

The Bison tied the game at 14-14 when Devon Kendrick scored on a two-yard run with 8:47 left. He also scored the two-point conversion. 

Carlisle led 20-14 following a 24-yard run by Kendrick with 9:18 left in the third quarter. Augusta reclaimed the lead at 22-20 following an eight-yard scoring run and a two-point conversion.

The Bison took the lead for good when Kendrick scored on a 25-yard run with 8:01 left in the game. Kolton Davidson scored the two-point conversion. 

The bison finished with 379 yard rushing. Kendrick had 188 yards on 23 carries. Golleher had 146 yards on 23 carries. Davidson had 34 yards on six carries.

Augusta had 210 yards rushing and 47 yards passing. 

The Bison will host the Des Arc Eagles this Friday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The Eagles are 2-1 overall and 1-1 in league play, having lost to McCrory and beaten Brinkley.