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DEFENSE STEPS UP IN SECOND HALF - Rison's Ryan Cottrell (no. 51) brings the heat on Dardanelle quarterback Creed Vega during last week's non-conference game at Dardanelle. (Photo by Kim Kaye King) -
MORRISON FINDS HIS GROOVE - Rison quarterback Owen Morrison fights for yardage during first half action against Dardanelle. Morrison had his best night yet throwing the ball as he completed 13-of-19 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns. The 13 pass completions is the most by any Wildcat team since 1960. (Photo by Kim Kaye King)
DARDANELLE - Trying desperately to dig themselves out of a 28-point hole, a couple of trips by Rison into the red zone came up empty, proving to be the difference, as the Wildcats' valiant comeback bid fell short last Friday night at Bob Keenan Field, where the Dardanelle Sand Lizards held on for a 35-20 win in a non-conference tussle.
Although they enjoyed their most offensive success so far this season, the Wildcats remained winless after three outings. It's the first 0-3 start for Rison since 1975. Meanwhile, the Class 5A Sand Lizards improved to 2-1 before getting ready to start their rough road through the West division of their classification.
Very disappointed at a 21-0 deficit by the end of the opening quarter, which expanded to 35-7 at the break, Rison head coach Caleb Carmikle said, "At halftime we challenged the whole team, especially our seniors. In the second half, they collectively, as a team, responded to the challenge. For the first time this season, we showed the type of intensity and passion of playing together as a team, something that has been missing. We shut them (Dardanelle) out in the second half, we finished drives, and for the first time we found some rhythm on offense. We certainly want to see this (second half performance) carry over to the next game, to keep that momentum going. We still have a lot to improve on, things that have to be fixed. But I believe we have something positive to build on (before facing Hoxie here Sept. 22)." Since statistics started being compiled on a regular basis with the 1960 season, Rison had the most pass completions in a game during the span of 63 years, when quarterback Owen Morrison went 13 out of 19, with 2 touchdowns, 157 yards, and an interception against the Sand Lizards. The senior also added 55 yards rushing on 11 carries. Sophomore Jeremiah Marshall led the Wildcats' ground attack with 72 yards on 20 carries, while senior Steven Shaddock added 36 yards on 7 rushes and a TD. Za'Kyler Walker paced…
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