FORDYCE - The 71st consecutive meeting in the storied Ri‐son Fordyce rivalry was headed straight for its very first overtime game last Friday night at Paul “Bear” Bryant Stadium.
All of a sudden, though, lightning struck in epic and dramatic fashion.
As the final seconds ticked off the clock and the score knotted, 24-24, Rison quarterback Blaine Dixon found DJ Kines for a 28yard pass completion on third and 13 that put the Wildcats inside the Fordyce 1-yard line with just 4.2 seconds left. It was just the second pass catch in Kines’ varsity career, followed quickly by coach Clay Totty using his final timeout to ensure his team would be able to get off one final play. “We don't get a play off there if we don't have a timeout,” Totty said.
With the nose of the ball only a whisker away from the goalline, senior back Bradyn Dupuy, who had already carried 27 times for 112 yards, got one last tote. Behind the right side of the line, Dupuy nudged the ball across the plane of the goalline for a TD before being knocked back, sending teammates and ‘Cat fans into a frenzy - a 30-24 Rison lead with 1.1 seconds remaining on the scoreboard.
And just when everyone thought there were no more fireworks to go off, they were wrong. After a failed 2-point conversion attempt, Fordyce fielded Dixon’s ensuing kick at the Redbugs’ 35, and giving ground on a second lateral attempt at the 23, the pitch went high and was snagged out of the air by Rison’s Treyvione Wainwright at the 20. The junior raced into the end zone with time having already elapsed, but for another touchdown. After the officiating crew informed coaches a PAT attempt was necessary (point rule), and order was restored, Dixon drilled his kick through the uprights and Rison made the short trip back to Cleveland County with a wild and crazy 37-24 win.
“I can't say enough enough about these kids; they played hard and I’m proud of them,” Totty said. ?...
To access content, please login or purchase a subscription.