RISON - The Rison Junior Wildcats opened their 2026 campaign with a dominating 40-14 win over the Class 4A DeWitt Junior Dragons last Thursday at George Walker Field of Champions in Rison.
Even with two freshmen (running back/defensive back Payne Prescott and tight end/defensive end Isaiah Hamilton) bumped up to the varsity this year, the defending 8-3A conference co-champions looked were hitting on all cylinders.
Junior Wildcat Coach Zach Branch noted that the starting defensive unit pitched a shutout until the reserves were brought in at the end of the game when the Junior Dragons scored both of their touchdowns. Branch said his Junior ‘Cats were up 40-0 when he began making substitutions.
Freshman Weston Phillips had a standout performance on both offense and defense.
Taking over for at quarterback for Logan McGarity, who is now leading the varsity Wildcats as a sophomore, Philips racked up 118 yards rushing on seven carries that included a 20-yard touchdown romp.
He also threw two touchdown passes to Trent Pickett, one for 51 yards and another for 33, while going 3-for-3 through the air for 96 yards without an interception.
Phillips also had a defensive score, returning an interception for a touchdown.
Rison had an effective run game overall as running back Bryant Branch had 41 yards on just four attempts, including a four-yard touchdown run and a conversion. Pickett finished with 15 yards rushing on four carries with two two-point conversions. Mason Johnson, who had 11 yards on the ground, ran in a two-pointer as well.
The Junior Wildcats will have their first road game of the year when they travel to Ouachita County Harmony Grove for a 7 p.m. kickoff Thursday.