RISON - After suffering their first shutout loss in three years, the Rison Wildcats will be looking to rebound this Friday night when they make the trip to Little Rock to face the Joe T. Robinson Junior Varsity Senators in their final non-conference game of the season. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Rison, 1-1, is coming off a 25-o loss to Haskell Harmony Grove. This will be the Wildcats' final tune-up game before opening up 8-3A conference play with a home game against an undefeated Palestine-Wheatley team on Sept. 26. Robinson was able to schedule a Friday night junior varsity game since the varsity team had the night off. Before the season started, Rison Coach Chris Vereen said he wanted to play a quality junior varsity program that would give his team a true test, and Robinson definitely fits that bill.Joe T. Robinson has become one of the most successful programs in central Arkansas over the past few seasons. Over the past five years, the Senators have won four Class 5A Central conference championships (including last year) as well as a state title in 2021.The Senators are 3-0 so far this season, having knocked off Pulaski Academy (53-14), Jonesboro (34-33) and Hot Springs Lakeside (35-16). Hooten's Arkansas Football currently has Robinson ranked no. 2 in state for Class 5A.Vereen said he won't really know to what expect from Robinson until they get into the game since it will be up to Head Coach Tyler Uptergrove to decide who he wants to play. While Rison will have its full roster available, Robinson's junior varsity team will usually consist of juniors, sophomores and freshmen, many who may usually play in reserve roles.With all the success Robinson has seen over the past few years, Vereen said he expects the Senators to have a lot of quality depth that will challenge his Class 3A Wildcats.Robinson usually runs a spread on offense and a 4-2 on defense.Vereen hopes to use this game to clean up some sloppy play that reared its...
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