RISON - Playing just one game over a three-week stretch to end September is something that Rison head coach Clay Totty is not happy about, especially when the first two battles of October will have major implications in the 6-3A Conference title chase.
Following non-conference wins over Dumas, Bismarck and Dardanelle, the ‘Cats will have an open date this week after Parkers Chapel opted for the 8man football route before the season started. Unable to fill the slot voided by the Trojans, Rison will not play again until going to Pine Bluff Sept. 23 to face Dollarway in the conference opener. Then on Sept. 30 the 'Cats will have another open date, before starting October with crucial league games against Camden Harmony and Fordyce.
“It’s sure not ideal, but we'll keep showing up and fighting,” Totty said Monday about the three-week span with just one game.
Totty said he’s still holding out hope he can pick up a game with an upper classification junior varsity, but as of early this week, it didn’t seem likely that will happen.
“We really would like to get something (a game) on Monday, Sept. 26, after Dollarway, but nothing has worked out so far,” Totty remarked.
In last week's win over Dardanelle, the Wildcats lost sophomore lineman Dylan Dedman when he suffered a fractured ankle in the first half. During preseason, the ‘Cats also lost the services of junior lineman, Aaron Mayfield to an injury. Sophomore lineman Braden Matthews did return to the camp for the last two games after a medical condition sidelined him in pre-season and the Dumas contest, but a lack of depth remains a concern. Also, junior defensive back/running back Treyvione Wainwright was unable to play in the Dardanelle game.
“We still have a lot of room for improvement, so there are going to be things we'll be working on during the off weeks,” Totty said. “But with the injuries, this will be our third time (since start...
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