Harp, takeaways carry Little Rock Christian past Central
Little Rock Christian 31, Little Rock Central 9
October 9, 2026
Nick Harp scored twice in the third quarter, Grayson Raines threw two touchdown passes and Little Rock Christian collected three takeaways Friday in a 31-9 victory over Little Rock Central at Quigley Stadium.
The Warriors improved to 4-2 overall and 3-0 in the 7A Central, following their victory over Bryant with another strong defensive performance. Central fell to 1-5 and 0-3 in conference play.
After a scoreless first quarter, Blake Haughaboo broke through the middle for a 26-yard touchdown with 9:43 remaining in the second. Cooper Wilkerson supplied a downfield block, and Eric Cucos kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead. The drive began at Central’s 49 after a short punt and included a first-down completion from Haden Hall to Wilkerson.
Central answered with a 30-yard field goal, then threatened again after a long punt return gave the Tigers possession at the Warriors’ 27. Hall, also handling punting duties, chased the returner out of bounds to prevent a touchdown.
The defense finished the rescue. Ryan Mullen forced a fumble on the ensuing possession, and Jack Moore recovered. Little Rock Christian drove from its own 20, with Harp powering through contact for a first down before Raines found Mann Pickens for a 6-yard touchdown. Cucos’ extra point made it 14-3 with 2:40 left in the half.
Ashton Chapple intercepted a deflected pass on Central’s next possession. Hall then connected with Pickens and Ridge Bowman as the Warriors moved into scoring position. Bowman made another catch and got out of bounds to stop the clock, and Cucos converted a 34-yard field goal with 17 seconds remaining for a 17-3 halftime lead.
Little Rock Christian extended the margin on the opening possession of the second half. Bowman converted a third down with a catch, Sawyer Henry added consecutive receptions and Hall ran for another first down. With Hall split out wide, Raines delivered a 6-yard touchdown shovel pass to Harp on third-and-goal. Cucos added the kick for a 24-3 lead with 7:59 left in the third quarter.
Harp followed with a sack on Central’s next series. The Warriors then overcame a holding penalty, using a third-and-13 screen to Haughaboo and a catch by Pickens to set up Harp’s 2-yard touchdown run. Cucos’ fourth extra point made it 31-3 with 2:57 left in the quarter.
Central’s Kemon Porter intercepted Hall later in the third quarter, but the Tigers could not turn that takeaway into points. Adam Cruz added a fourth-quarter interception for the Warriors, whose defense kept Central out of the end zone until a long touchdown run with 1:22 remaining. Isaiah Reding blocked the extra point.
Little Rock Christian hosts North Little Rock on Oct. 16. Central travels to Conway.
Scoring summary
Q2 9:43 — Little Rock Christian — Blake Haughaboo 26-yard run (Eric Cucos kick). Little Rock Christian 7, Central 0.
Q2 2:40 — Little Rock Christian — Mann Pickens 6-yard pass from Grayson Raines (Eric Cucos kick). Little Rock Christian 14, Central 3.
Q2 0:17 — Little Rock Christian — Eric Cucos 34-yard field goal. Little Rock Christian 17, Central 3.
Q3 7:59 — Little Rock Christian — Nick Harp 6-yard shovel pass from Grayson Raines (Eric Cucos kick). Little Rock Christian 24, Central 3.
Q3 2:57 — Little Rock Christian — Nick Harp 2-yard run (Eric Cucos kick). Little Rock Christian 31, Central 3.
Players who stood out
Nick Harp, Little Rock Christian, running back/linebacker — Caught a 6-yard touchdown shovel pass, scored on a 2-yard run and recorded a third-quarter sack.
Grayson Raines, Little Rock Christian, quarterback — Threw two 6-yard touchdown passes, one to Mann Pickens and one to Nick Harp.
Blake Haughaboo, Little Rock Christian — Opened the scoring with a 26-yard touchdown run and converted third-and-13 with a screen reception on the final touchdown drive.
Mann Pickens, Little Rock Christian, receiver — Caught a 6-yard touchdown pass and helped set up the final touchdown with another reception.
Eric Cucos, Little Rock Christian, kicker — Made a 34-yard field goal and all four extra points for seven kicking points.
Ryan Mullen and Jack Moore, Little Rock Christian, defense — Mullen forced a second-quarter fumble and Moore recovered, ending a Central threat and setting up a touchdown drive.
Ashton Chapple and Adam Cruz, Little Rock Christian, secondary — Each intercepted a pass; Chapple’s second-quarter takeaway set up a field goal.
Kemon Porter, Central, defensive back — Intercepted a third-quarter pass and returned it to midfield.
Isaiah Reding, Little Rock Christian, linebacker — Blocked Central’s extra-point attempt with 1:22 remaining.