RISON - Typically, most coaches will say they don’t like a bye week when state playoffs start. However, Rison head coach Clay Totty doesn't hesitate in saying that the Wildcats need a little healing time following a pre-season and regular season of action that has seen numerous players go down with injuries.
With that said, the Wildcats will now await the winner of Friday’s Manila-Bismarck contest for a second round game at home on November 18. Rison is 9-0 and champion of the 6-3A Conference. Bismarck will be a heavy favorite to defeat Manila. Of course, the Wildcats are all to familiar with Bismarck. In the second game of the season here, Rison had to score late to edge the Lions, 34-31, after being down as much as 31-20 in the second half.
“We’re going to use this open week to begin some preparations and to try and heal up,” Totty said Monday. 'As far as injuries, it’s been some kind of season. But the kids have showed a lot of heart, and I’m very proud of them. They’ve overcome a lot, and there have been prayers lifted up because of the injuries and adversity this season.”
Totty went back to the start of the 2022 season, when either by some players leaving the program, or because of injuries, as many as seven projected starters were not around when the Wildcats opened with Dumas in late August. And during the season, Totty said that at least eight starters have been injured at various times. The latest casualty was senior quarterback/ defensive back Blaine Dixon, who went down with an injury in the second quarter last week against Drew Central and did not return. Totty said Dixon suffered bruised ribs, but is hoping he will be able to heal as much as possible before the second round of the playoffs.
“He (Dixon) is tough, and is one of our senio” Totty said. “I’m proud of all of our kids, especially our seniors. I’ve seen good leadership from them. It's a good group, one of our best while I've...
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