RISON - Troubling vibes, starting when Jessieville was awarded its onsides kick to start the game, never ceased in last Friday night's Class 3A state playoff opener at George Walker Field of Champions. And by the time the third quarter was over, when the Lions converted another successful onsides kick into a touchdown, they were on their way to a 40-27 victory over Rison to end the Wildcats' season. In all, the Lions turned three Wildcat turnovers into touchdowns.
Appearing as though they had some extra motivation for the game by coming to Rison to avenge a 48-7 rout by the Wildcats in a playoff opener here just two years ago, head coach T.J. Burk's crew steadily gained confidence and momentum as the game wore on, and now, with a 7-4 record, travel to Salem for a second round playoff clash with the Greyhounds. Head coach Caleb Carmikle's Wildcats, who anguished through a 0-7 start to their season before winning three straight, finished at 3-8.
Using a three-quarterback rotation to fit their attack in certain situations, the Lions controlled the trenches for a ground attack that pounded out 257 yards, the Wildcats were never really able to slow down the Jessieville rushing assault. And when the game finally turned in the pivotal third quarter, it was the Lions who came up with a big defensive stand and interception that eventually sent their narrow 7-point lead to a 19-point cushion by the 8-minute mark of the final period.
For their short yardage situations, the Lions turned to 220pound quarterback Dawson Lawhon, who had four touchdown plunges, three from a yard out, the other from 3 yards away. For the bulk of their rushing attack, they relied on Jacob Graves, who carried 19 times for 117 yards, including a 17-yard TD run. And when the Lions wanted to pass, Dalton Ellison delivered four crucial completions, three receptions by Karston Criswell, including a 37-yard TD catch with just 2:56 gone in the game after Jessieville covered an...
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