RISON - While the storied rivalry between the Rison Wildcats and Fordyce Redbugs never needs any extra hype, this year’s battle will have a lot at stake as the two unbeaten teams clash this Friday night will likely determine the 8-3A conference championship. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Paul “Bear” Bryant Stadium in Fordyce.Both teams enter the game with identical 5-0 conference marks and 8-0 overall records. The winner will hold sole possession of first place in the 8-3A with one week left in the regular season.A Rison victory assures the Wildcats of the conference title since the ‘Cats have already knocked off the other conference contender, McGehee, 33-20, on Oct. 11. Rison wraps up the regular season at home next Friday, Nov. 8, against the Barton Bears (currently 1-4 in league action and 3-5 overall). Should Fordyce win, the Redbugs would still need to beat McGehee on the road next week to clinch the 8-3A title.After finishing 6-6 last year and losing the 2023 conference championship to Camden Harmony Grove in a 29-28 nailbiter, Fordyce has seven starters back on offense and eight back on defense to help fuel the Redbugs’ 8-0 start. However, the most significant difference this year has been the emergence of massive freshman quarterback Andreal Ellison, who is listed at 6-3, 270 lbs.“I assure you, he will be the first one you notice when he walks out on the field,” said Rison Coach Chris Vereen.While his size may lead some to question his athleticism, Vereen said he is nimble on his feet and throws the ball extremely well. He compared him to former University of Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen who also has spent a few seasons in the NFL.With Ellison’s ability to throw, Vereen said the Fordyce offense has been working out of the spread for most of the year though the Redbugs will line up in the I or the wing at times. He noted that Fordyce Coach Tim Rodgers also has some run packages t...
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