PALESTINE - Rison's defense pitched a shutout while its offense scored on some big plays as the Junior Wildcats opened 83A conference play with 28-0 win over the Palestine-Wheatley Junior Patriots last Thursday at Palestine.After stopping the Junior Patriots on their first drive of the game, the Junior 'Cats scored on their first possession with a 30yard run from Deion Jones. Payne Prescott added the two point to make it 8-0.Palestine-Wheatley answered with a long, time-consuming drove that gave the Junior Patriots a 1st-and-goal from the Rison 5. However, the Junior 'Cat defense turned them back to protect their 8-0 lead until halftime.Rison began to pull away from there.After the Junior 'Cats recovered Palestine-Wheatley's onside kick attempt to start the second half, Rison made it a two-score game when quarterback Logan McGarity hit Isaiah Hamilton from 11 yards out cap the opening drive of the third quarter. Jones added the conversion run to put the Junior Wildcats up 160.Rison then forced the Junior Patriots to a three-and-out, setting up the Junior 'Cats for another third-quarter score. This time McGarity ripped off a 40yard run on a quarterback keeper, but the two-point attempt was stopped, leaving Rison with a 22-0 kead.The Junior 'Cats had yet another big play to close out the scoring when Michael Kanneh scored on a 58-yard run in the fourth quarter to make it 28-0 after the conversion attempt was no good. Rison Coach Zach Branch lauded his defense for turning back Palestine-Wheatley in the second quarter when the Junior Patriots had a chance to tie the game. The defense kept them out of the end zone the rest of the way, including a nice stand by the reserves late in the game.Branch said defensive tackle MJ Chambers, defensive end Isaiah Hamilton, linebacker Bryant Branch and safety Payne Prescott have been mainstays on a defense that has held Rison's opponents to just four touchdowns over the first four g...
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