Cross County Builds Early Lead, Stops Harrisburg at Goal Line
Cross County 24, Harrisburg 20
CHERRY VALLEY — Cross County scored all 24 of its points in the first quarter, then made a goal-line stand in the final minute to defeat rival Harrisburg 24-20 in Friday’s season opener at Thunderbird Stadium.
The Thunderbirds went ahead 8-0 when Ayden Kraft’s long run set up Corbyn Kraft’s 5-yard touchdown and Kolby Walker added the conversion run. Harrisburg answered immediately. Bryar Jones completed a long pass to Tiya Ansley, and Jayvin Thompson finished the possession with a 6-yard touchdown run, trimming the margin to 8-6.
Cross County converted fourth-and-6 on its next scoring drive when Ayden Kraft threw 39 yards to Corbyn Kraft for a touchdown. A conversion pass to Ayden made it 16-6. Walker then intercepted Jones and returned the ball to the end zone, but a penalty erased the touchdown. Cross County retained possession, and Ayden scored from 24 yards before Trytan Tucker found Corbyn for the conversion and a 24-6 lead.
Harrisburg controlled much of the second quarter and completed a seven-play, 56-yard drive with Jones’ 1-yard touchdown run. The Hornets had 233 yards and 12 first downs by halftime, but Ayden Kraft and Walker each intercepted a pass, helping Cross County carry a 24-12 advantage into the break.
Harrisburg struck early in the third quarter when Remi Rapert returned a punt for a touchdown. A successful conversion pass cut the deficit to 24-20 with 10:48 remaining in the period.
The score remained unchanged until Harrisburg’s final possession. Jones converted fourth-and-5 with a completion to Ansley at the Cross County 6. A holding penalty erased a touchdown and moved the Hornets back to the 16. Corbyn Kraft broke up the third-down pass, and Harrisburg’s fourth-down completion ended one yard short of the goal line. Cross County took possession and ran out the final 55 seconds.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
- Cross County — Corbyn Kraft 5-yard run (Kolby Walker conversion run), 8:39. Cross County 8, Harrisburg 0
- Harrisburg — Jayvin Thompson 6-yard run (conversion pass failed), 7:36. Cross County 8, Harrisburg 6
- Cross County — Ayden Kraft 39-yard pass to Corbyn Kraft (Ayden Kraft conversion reception), 6:04. Cross County 16, Harrisburg 6
- Cross County — Ayden Kraft 24-yard run (Trytan Tucker pass to Corbyn Kraft), 0:45. Cross County 24, Harrisburg 6
2nd Quarter
- Harrisburg — Bryar Jones 1-yard run (Grayson Harkey conversion run failed). Cross County 24, Harrisburg 12
3rd Quarter
- Harrisburg — Remi Rapert punt-return touchdown (conversion pass good), 10:48. Cross County 24, Harrisburg 20
4th Quarter
- No scoring.
Players of the Game
- Ayden Kraft, Cross County RB/DB: Accounted for two touchdowns. He had 10 carries for 104 yards and one touchdown by halftime, completed his only pass for a 39-yard touchdown and intercepted a pass before halftime.
- Corbyn Kraft, Cross County RB/DB: Scored on a 5-yard run and caught a 39-yard touchdown pass. He added a two-point reception, had four first-half carries for 14 yards and broke up a third-and-goal pass from the 16 late in the fourth quarter.
- Kolby Walker, Cross County FB/OLB: Ran for the game’s first conversion, recorded four first-half tackles and intercepted a pass that he returned to the end zone before the touchdown was erased by a penalty.
- Bryar Jones, Harrisburg QB: Passed for 145 yards by halftime, scored on a 1-yard run and completed a fourth-and-5 pass to Tiya Ansley at the Cross County 6 during Harrisburg’s final drive.
- Remi Rapert, Harrisburg WR: Returned a third-quarter punt for a touchdown, cutting Cross County’s lead to 24-18 before the conversion made it a four-point game.