In an age where many schools are opting to throw the ball, Rison has continued to overpower opponents with its bruising ground game.
On Friday, Strong will get an up-close look at the Wildcats’ attack, as the schools will meet in the final non-conference game for both squads prior to the start of conference play next week.
Game time is set for 7 p.m. from Rison.
Rison (1-1), the top-ranked team in this week’s 3A poll by the Associated Press, enters off a bye week having topped Prescott in double overtime before falling at Fordyce in Week 1.
The Bulldogs (0-2) have suffered lopsided losses on the road to Hamburg and Lake Village.
“They’re a traditional throwback. They like to ground and pound, three yards and a cloud of dust,” Strong coach Sirl Wright said of the Wildcats. “The way society has gone to the spread offenses and all of the razzle dazzle throwing the ball, Rison pretty much turns around and hands the ball and runs old, traditional formations.
“Defensively, they pin their ears back and just go get you. They’re picked No. 1 in their conference, and I think they’re going to be a very tough opponent.”
Wright also noted the difference between the Wildcats and Lafayette County (scrimmage), Hamburg and Lake Village.
“Lafayette County was more of a spread-type team, and Hamburg and Lake Village like to spread it out, so there’s a contrast with Rison,” Wright said. “They are trying to impose their physical nature on you, and either you’re going to have to get down and dirty with them or get out of the way.”
Since 2010, Rison has won 10 or more games six times, including a 12-1 mark a year ago that saw the Wildcats reach the state semifinals.
The Wildcats already own a win over a fellow 3A state title contender, and Wright said their two games will serve them well with conference play beginning.
“They’re coming back with a lot of experience,” Wright said. “Overall, they’ve been battle-tested from the beginning. I think they went through the regular season undefeated last year, and this year, it’s kind of turned on them a little bit, but they weren’t playing any cupcakes.
“I think that sharpens your tools playing against tough teams like that.”
The script didn’t change for the Bulldogs last week, who struggled in the first half for the second straight week at Lake Village.
“It was pretty much like the Hamburg game,” Wright said. “The first half, we didn’t play very good. There were a lot of turnovers, and once the momentum got going, Lake Village just ran with that. When we got to the second half, I challenged them again that it was about self-respect, especially when you get to the point where they imply the mercy rule.
“Either you’re going to keep getting scored on or you’re going to stand up and fight. The good, positive thing was that we came back and dominated the game in the second half.”
With many underclassmen on the roster, Wright is hoping his team will learn from its mistakes.
“It’s going to be a struggle for us this year simply because we have a lot more sophomores than we have juniors and seniors,” Wright said.
“We have a lot more inexperience than some other teams, and sometimes you’ve got to go with the growing pains.”
Senior Derrion Davis had a big game a week ago with 268 yards rushing, and fellow senior Jamyron Thompson made a big play on special teams, nearly scoring on a punt return.
In each of the last two weeks, the Bulldogs have responded with solid play in the second half, and Wright is looking for his team to put a complete game together.
“Number one, we’ve got to bring the intensity that we’ve had in the second half and take care of the ball,” Wright said. “We haven’t had those in the second half, so we’re going to have to flip that coin and have that in the first half.
“We know what they’re going to do. They’re going to try and run over us, so either we’ve got to step up or they’re going to roll us out of the way, and I don’t want to get rolled out of the way.
“We’re going to prepare all week on the tough factor and see how we can match up with Rison.”