Morse’s four touchdowns power Walnut Ridge past Rivercrest

Walnut Ridge 55, Rivercrest 18

October 23, 2026 | 3A-3 | Walnut Ridge

WALNUT RIDGE — Carter Morse ran for four touchdowns, Jasper Callahan scored on a run and a kickoff return, and Walnut Ridge defeated Rivercrest 55-18 Friday night in a meeting of conference contenders.

The Bobcats scored 40 first-half points on senior night, repeatedly creating room with a ground attack that featured Morse, Callahan and Jace Blake. Walnut Ridge then held Rivercrest scoreless after halftime and added two more rushing touchdowns to finish the victory.

Walnut Ridge gained the first advantage when Rivercrest’s opening pass was tipped and intercepted. The Bobcats converted that turnover into Callahan’s touchdown run, benefiting from consecutive offside penalties before he reached the end zone. The extra point gave Walnut Ridge a 7-0 lead with 8:46 remaining in the first quarter.

Morse extended the lead with a determined run through multiple tackle attempts. He kept moving after contact and carried defenders toward the end zone, putting the Bobcats ahead 13-0 with 5:59 left in the quarter. The extra point failed.

Rivercrest briefly changed the game’s direction early in the second quarter. After its defense stopped Walnut Ridge near the goal line, Lexx Latham broke free for a 95-yard touchdown run. The missed kick left the Colts trailing 13-6 with 9:24 remaining before halftime.

Callahan answered immediately. He fielded the ensuing kickoff near his 30, made the coverage unit miss and raced to the end zone. The two-point attempt failed, but Walnut Ridge had restored a 13-point lead just 10 seconds after Latham’s score.

Jayden Ralph kept Rivercrest within reach by finding Kris Burks for a touchdown on fourth-and-seven. Ralph’s two-point run was stopped, leaving the score 19-12 with 7:52 remaining. Walnut Ridge answered with another touchdown and extra point, then took control after a Rivercrest fumble deep in Bobcats territory.

Morse scored on a 36-yard run and added another rushing touchdown with 1:28 left in the half. His two-point run following the latter score made it 40-12. Ralph found Latham for a touchdown with 13 seconds remaining, but the conversion failed and Walnut Ridge carried a 40-18 lead into halftime.

The Bobcats opened the third quarter with a lengthy possession capped by Blake’s 5-yard touchdown run. Blake then passed to Callahan for two points and a 48-18 lead with 5:46 left.

Memphis Bazzell helped stop Rivercrest’s ensuing possession with pressure on Ralph, including a fourth-down sack. Morse supplied the final touchdown on a 22-yard run with 8:43 remaining in the fourth quarter, and the extra point made it 55-18.

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

Walnut Ridge: Jasper Callahan touchdown run (kick good), 8:46. Walnut Ridge 7, Rivercrest 0.

Walnut Ridge: Carter Morse touchdown run (kick failed), 5:59. Walnut Ridge 13, Rivercrest 0.

Second Quarter

Rivercrest: Lexx Latham 95-yard run (kick failed), 9:24. Walnut Ridge 13, Rivercrest 6.

Walnut Ridge: Callahan kickoff-return touchdown (two-point attempt failed), 9:14. Walnut Ridge 19, Rivercrest 6.

Rivercrest: Kris Burks touchdown pass from Jayden Ralph (run failed), 7:52. Walnut Ridge 19, Rivercrest 12.

Walnut Ridge: Morse 36-yard run (kick failed), 4:00. Walnut Ridge 32, Rivercrest 12.

Walnut Ridge: Morse touchdown run (Morse run), 1:28. Walnut Ridge 40, Rivercrest 12.

Rivercrest: Latham touchdown pass from Ralph (run failed), 0:13. Walnut Ridge 40, Rivercrest 18.

Third Quarter

Walnut Ridge: Jace Blake 5-yard run (Callahan pass from Blake), 5:46. Walnut Ridge 48, Rivercrest 18.

Fourth Quarter

Walnut Ridge: Morse 22-yard run (kick good), 8:43. Walnut Ridge 55, Rivercrest 18.

Players Who Stood Out

Carter Morse, Walnut Ridge: Four rushing touchdowns and a two-point run; two of the scores covered 36 and 22 yards.

Jasper Callahan, Walnut Ridge: A rushing touchdown, a kickoff-return touchdown and a two-point reception.

Jace Blake, Walnut Ridge: A 5-yard touchdown run and a two-point pass to Callahan on the opening possession of the second half.

Lexx Latham, Rivercrest: A 95-yard touchdown run and a touchdown reception.

Jayden Ralph, Rivercrest: Threw touchdown passes to Kris Burks and Latham.