Ralph throws four touchdown passes as Rivercrest rolls past Piggott

Rivercrest 50, Piggott 14

PIGGOTT — Jayden Ralph threw four touchdown passes, Lexx Latham ran for two scores and Rivercrest defeated Piggott 50-14 Friday night in 3A-3 conference play.

The Colts scored four first-quarter touchdowns and led 37-6 at halftime, overcoming a wet football and missed conversion attempts with a steady supply of big plays. Bryson Newson caught two touchdown passes, while Kris Burks and T.J. Hayes caught one apiece.

Keisean Watkins added a defensive touchdown in the third quarter, grabbing a bobbled handoff out of the air and outrunning the Mohawks to the end zone. Rivercrest improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play while completing its fourth consecutive road game.

The Colts nearly lost possession on their first offensive play, but Lucas Phillips recovered the loose ball. Latham took over from there, carrying on three consecutive plays and scoring with 10:49 remaining in the first quarter. The extra-point attempt missed, leaving Rivercrest ahead 6-0.

After the defense forced a punt, Latham broke tackles on another long run and Lathan Bolden helped move the chains. Ralph then found Newson open for a 14-yard touchdown with 6:52 left. A failed two-point attempt kept the lead at 12-0.

Ralph continued attacking through the air on the next possession. Hayes went up for a long completion that moved the Colts deep into Piggott territory, and Burks got open for the touchdown that made it 18-0. Hayes supplied the fourth score, reaching around a defender to secure Ralph’s pass with 10 seconds left in the quarter.

Dayvion Dixon recovered a fumble on Piggott’s first play of the second quarter. Rivercrest overcame a holding penalty and a long-yardage situation when Ralph found Burks near the goal line. Latham finished with a nine-yard touchdown run, and Evan McClain made the extra point for a 31-0 lead with 10:25 left in the half.

Piggott answered after recovering a Rivercrest fumble. The Mohawks converted fourth-and-long into a touchdown pass, with the receiver breaking a tackle on his way to the end zone. Dixon knocked down the two-point pass.

Bolden restored the 31-point margin with a nine-yard touchdown run at the 3:27 mark. Colton Washington later stopped a Piggott possession with a fourth-down sack, while Kyle Poole intercepted a Rivercrest pass before halftime.

The Colts stopped Piggott on downs to open the second half, with Dean Pirani pressuring the quarterback on fourth down. Bolden converted a third-and-short during Rivercrest’s ensuing possession, and Ralph followed with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Newson. McClain’s kick made it 44-6 with 6:42 left in the third quarter and brought the running clock into effect.

Watkins’ fumble return extended the lead to 50-6 before Piggott responded with a long kickoff return into Colts territory. Jahvid Whittley helped move the Mohawks closer, and Braxton Chase scored with 10:50 remaining. A successful two-point conversion completed the scoring.

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

Rivercrest — Lexx Latham touchdown run (kick no good), Rivercrest 6, Piggott 0. 10:49.

Rivercrest — Bryson Newson 14-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Ralph (two-point run unsuccessful), Rivercrest 12, Piggott 0. 6:52.

Rivercrest — Kris Burks touchdown pass from Ralph (kick no good), Rivercrest 18, Piggott 0. 3:58.

Rivercrest — T.J. Hayes touchdown pass from Ralph (kick no good), Rivercrest 24, Piggott 0. 0:10.

Second Quarter

Rivercrest — Latham nine-yard touchdown run (Evan McClain kick), Rivercrest 31, Piggott 0. 10:25.

Rivercrest — Lathan Bolden nine-yard touchdown run (kick no good), Rivercrest 37, Piggott 6. 3:27.

Third Quarter

Rivercrest — Newson 30-yard touchdown pass from Ralph (McClain kick), Rivercrest 44, Piggott 6. 6:42.

Rivercrest — Keisean Watkins fumble-return touchdown (kick no good), Rivercrest 50, Piggott 6.

Fourth Quarter

Piggott — Braxton Chase touchdown (two-point conversion good), Rivercrest 50, Piggott 14. 10:50.

Players Who Stood Out

Jayden Ralph, Rivercrest — Four touchdown passes, including three during the 24-point first quarter.

Lexx Latham, Rivercrest — Two rushing touchdowns and several substantial gains that helped establish the early lead.

Bryson Newson, Rivercrest — Touchdown receptions of 14 and 30 yards.

Kris Burks, Rivercrest — First-quarter touchdown reception and a long third-down catch that set up Latham’s second score.

T.J. Hayes, Rivercrest — A long reception to set up Burks’ touchdown and a contested touchdown catch of his own.

Lathan Bolden, Rivercrest — Nine-yard touchdown run and first-down carries on other scoring possessions.

Keisean Watkins, Rivercrest — Turned a bobbled handoff into a third-quarter defensive touchdown.

Dayvion Dixon, Rivercrest — Recovered a fumble to set up a touchdown and knocked down a two-point pass.

Colton Washington, Rivercrest — Fourth-down sack and repeated tackles; the broadcast credited him with 11 tackles late in the fourth quarter, before the game ended.

Braxton Chase, Piggott — Fourth-quarter touchdown.

Kyle Poole, Piggott — Intercepted a pass late in the first half.