RISON - Kyson Walker rolled up 153 yards rushing and two touchdowns on seven carries and hauled in a 38-yard pass as the Rison Wildcats pulled away from the Star City Bulldogs for a 31-14 victory Tuesday night at George Walker Field of Champions.
Rison Coach Chris Vereen said he learned at least three things from the scrimmage: turnovers and pass defense continue to a problem, but the Wildcats now have a kicker.
Three of Rison’s six possessions in the first half ended in turnovers: two fumbles and an interception. The other three first half drives ended in scores: Walker scoring on runs of two and 68 yards, and a 29-yard field goal on the last play of the half by Aden Bitely, a move-in from White Hall who is a new addition to the team this year.
Star City attempted just four passes in the first half with the starting units for both teams on the field. Two were completed, a 25-yarder that put the Bulldogs at the Rison 1 to set up their first scored, and another that went for a 97-yard touchdown on a third-and-eight situation from the Wildcat 3. Rison freshman Payne Prescott picked off one Star City pass.
Vereen said they will need to clean up both the turnovers and pass defense. He said they seem to be in position against the passing game, but just aren’t coming up with the plays.
However, he said perhaps the most positive thing from the scrimmage was the emergence of Bitely as the kicker. He said the inability last year to make point-afters cost them at least two games.
The scrimmage consisted of two 12-minute quarters played by the starting units for both teams without live kick returns or contested point afters. The second half consisted of one quarter featuring the reserves from both teams.
Star City’s opening drive ended on a fumble recovered by Rison’s Kyson Fletcher at the Wildcats’ 46 yard line. Three plays later, however, Rison fumbled it away.
After forcing a punt, Walker ripped off a 52-yard run to start Rison’s second series and two plays later he sco…