Rivercrest turned a 16–8 first‑quarter deficit into an emphatic 50–34 road win

Published On: October 18, 2025Categories: High School, News

Rivercrest 50, Walnut Ridge 34

WALNUT RIDGE — Rivercrest turned a 16–8 first‑quarter deficit into an emphatic 50–34 road win Friday, seizing the 3A‑3 lead.

Quarterback Jayden Ralph threw four touchdown passes—each to wideout Buddah Harris—and guided a 22‑point third quarter that flipped the game for the Colts. Harris also logged an interception and several open‑field stops from the secondary. Sophomore back Lexx Latham powered the ground game, grinding out more than 200 rushing yards and two scores as Rivercrest controlled tempo and field position.

Walnut Ridge answered throughout. Dual‑threat back Jace Blake gashed the edges behind a veteran line and scored twice on keepers. Running back Carter Morse added two short touchdowns, while tight end Trevor Augustine moved the chains with contested grabs. DT/FB Brogan Tate’s goal‑line burst cut the margin to 36–28 late in the third.

Rivercrest’s defense finished it. Edge rusher Brody Cooper generated steady pressure, Lathan Bolden and Jace “Jay‑Bird” Moore rallied to the ball, and Tekylun Sanders provided the dagger with a scoop‑and‑score late in the third. Kenderick Brooks’ recovery on a fourth‑quarter fumble halted the last Bobcat charge.

After an 89‑yard opening march by the Bobcats, Rivercrest answered with Latham’s 4‑yard burst and a Ralph‑to‑Harris two‑point play. They connected again late in the first, twice more in the second—including a 22‑yard strike for 28–22 at half—then Sanders’ 52‑yard scoop‑and‑score made it 50–28. Ralph hit Harris on fourth‑and‑long.

The Colts (4‑0 conference) return home next week; the Bobcats (3‑1) remain squarely in the title chase after three quarters of haymakers.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Walnut Ridge – Jace Blake run (Blake run), WR 8–0.
Rivercrest – Lexx Latham run (Ralph to Buddah Harris), 8–8.
Walnut Ridge – Blake run (Blake run), WR 16–8.
Rivercrest – Ralph to Harris pass (conversion failed), WR 16–14.

2nd Quarter
Walnut Ridge – Carter Morse run (pass failed), WR 22–14.
Rivercrest – Ralph to Harris 22‑yd pass (conversion failed), WR 22–20.
Rivercrest – Ralph to Harris pass (Ralph to Harris), RC 28–22.

3rd Quarter
Rivercrest – Ralph to Harris TD pass, 4th‑and‑long (Ralph to Tekylun Sanders), RC 36–22.
Walnut Ridge – Brogan Tate 1‑yd run (run failed), RC 36–28.
Rivercrest – Latham 8‑yd run (Tekylun Sanders run), RC 44–28.
Rivercrest – Tekylun Sanders 52‑yd fumble return (pass failed), RC 50–28.

4th Quarter
Walnut Ridge – Morse 1‑yd run (pass failed), Final: RC 50–34.