Rivercrest celebrates Homecoming with explosive 54–20 win over Harrisburg

Rivercrest 54, Harrisburg 20

WILSON — Rivercrest turned Homecoming into a track meet, racing past Harrisburg 54–20 in a 3A‑3 opener at Cortez Kennedy Field. The Hornets struck first, but the Colts answered with 39 first‑half points and never looked back. The win moves Rivercrest to 2‑2, 1‑0 in league play.

Senior QB/WR/S Jayden Young fueled the surge with two rushing scores (3, 17), two TD passes and two TD grabs—six total—plus a forced fumble on defense. He found senior RB/DE Tekylun Sanders for an 88‑yard strike and hit sophomore RB/LB Lexx Latham just before halftime. Junior QB Jayden Ralph entered and tossed four touchdowns, including two to senior WR/S Buddah Harris and two to Young, highlighted by a 66‑yard bomb after the break. K Hunter Ellis added two PATs and turned a botched snap into a two‑point run.

Rivercrest’s defense supplied timely stops: CB Jamaris Byrd’s red‑zone interception and NG Kenderick Brooks’ tackles for loss helped deny fourth‑down tries and preserve momentum. Sophomore LB Luke Barnett and DE Jace Moore were active at the point of attack throughout.

Harrisburg showed resolve. Junior QB/CB Bryar Jones opened with a scoring toss to RB/FS Grayson Harkey, who later ripped a 56‑yard TD run. Junior Remington Rapert kept the Hornets within reach with an 84‑yard kickoff return, while WR/SS Jayvin Thompson and TE/OLB Gus Easter chipped in chain‑moving plays for a team still searching for its first win.

Both schools pivot to the heart of league play after an electric Homecoming at “The Tez.”

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Harrisburg – Grayson Harkey 10‑yd pass from Bryar Jones (Remington Rapert run), HHS 8–0.
Rivercrest – Jayden Young 3‑yd run (pass failed), HHS 8–6.
Rivercrest – Jayden Young 17‑yd run (pass failed), RIV 12–8.

2nd Quarter
Rivercrest – Tekylun Sanders 88‑yd pass from Jayden Young (kick failed), RIV 18–8.
Rivercrest – Buddah Harris 42‑yd pass from Jayden Ralph (Hunter Ellis kick), RIV 25–8.
Harrisburg – Remington Rapert 84‑yd kickoff return (pass failed), RIV 25–14.
Rivercrest – Buddah Harris 16‑yd pass from Jayden Ralph (kick failed), RIV 31–14.
Rivercrest – Lexx Latham 10‑yd pass from Jayden Young (Young to Hunter Ellis pass), RIV 39–14.

3rd Quarter
Rivercrest – Jayden Young pass from Jayden Ralph (Hunter Ellis run), RIV 47–14.
Rivercrest – Jayden Young 66‑yd pass from Jayden Ralph (Hunter Ellis kick), RIV 54–14.

4th Quarter
Harrisburg – Grayson Harkey 56‑yd run (run failed), Final 54–20.

Players who stood out

• Jayden Young (RIV, QB/WR/S) — 2 rush TD, 2 pass TD, 2 rec TD; forced fumble.

• Jayden Ralph (RIV, QB) — 4 TD passes.

• Tekylun Sanders (RIV, RB/DE) — 88‑yd TD catch; multiple explosive receptions.

• Remington Rapert (HAR) — 84‑yd kickoff‑return TD; key grabs.

• Grayson Harkey (HAR, RB/FS) — TD reception and 56‑yd TD run.