Thunderbirds’ Goal-Line Stand Preserves Rivalry Win Over Harrisburg
Cross County 24, Harrisburg 20
CHERRY VALLEY — Cross County scored all 24 of its points in the first quarter, then stopped Harrisburg one yard from the winning touchdown to secure a 24-20 rivalry victory Friday at Thunderbird Stadium.
Ayden Kraft opened the decisive quarter with a long run to the Harrisburg 5, and Corbyn Kraft scored on the next snap. Kolby Walker added the two-point run for an 8-0 lead.
Harrisburg answered immediately. Bryar Jones connected with Tiya Ansley deep into scoring position, and Jayvin Thompson finished the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run, cutting the margin to 8-6.
Cross County responded on fourth-and-6 when Ayden Kraft threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Corbyn Kraft. Ayden Kraft’s two-point catch made it 16-6. Walker then intercepted Jones. His return touchdown was erased by holding, but Cross County retained possession, and Ayden Kraft scored on a 24-yard run. Trytan Tucker found Corbyn Kraft for the conversion and a 24-6 advantage.
Harrisburg narrowed it to 24-12 on Jones’ 1-yard second-quarter touchdown. Cross County protected the lead with two red-zone stops: a fourth-and-1 stop at its 3 and Ayden Kraft’s interception near the goal line before halftime. Kraft had 104 rushing yards on 10 first-half carries.
Remi Rapert changed the game early in the third quarter, returning a punt 57 yards for a touchdown. Jones passed to Ansley for the conversion, making it 24-20.
Harrisburg finished with 359 yards. Jones passed for 218, Ansley caught five passes for 130 yards, and Grayson Harkey rushed 20 times for 104.
The Hornets reached the Cross County 6 in the final 90 seconds. A touchdown was erased by holding. Corbyn Kraft broke up a third-down pass, and Harrisburg’s fourth-down completion ended at the 1. Cross County then exhausted the remaining 55 seconds. The win was Cross County’s fourth straight in the rivalry.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Cross County – Corbyn Kraft 5-yard run (Kolby Walker run), 8-0, 8:39
Harrisburg – Jayvin Thompson 6-yard run (pass failed), 8-6, 7:36
Cross County – Ayden Kraft 39-yard pass to Corbyn Kraft (Ayden Kraft 2-point reception), 16-6, 6:04
Cross County – Ayden Kraft 24-yard run (Trytan Tucker pass to Corbyn Kraft), 24-6, 0:45
2nd Quarter
Harrisburg – Bryar Jones 1-yard run (Grayson Harkey run failed), 24-12
3rd Quarter
Harrisburg – Remi Rapert 57-yard punt return (Bryar Jones pass to Tiya Ansley), 24-20, 10:48
4th Quarter
No scoring
Players of the Game
Ayden Kraft, Cross County senior RB/FS — Had 10 carries for 104 yards by halftime, scored on a 24-yard run, completed a 39-yard touchdown pass, caught a two-point pass and intercepted a pass near the goal line.
Corbyn Kraft, Cross County sophomore RB/DB — Scored on a 5-yard run, caught a 39-yard touchdown pass and a two-point pass, then broke up Harrisburg’s third-and-goal throw during the final stand.
Kolby Walker, Cross County junior OLB/FB — Recorded four tackles by halftime, intercepted a pass and scored Cross County’s first two-point conversion. His interception return reached the end zone before a holding penalty erased the return.
Tiya Ansley, Harrisburg junior WR — Caught five passes for 130 yards, including a 66-yard reception, caught a two-point pass and added three tackles and one pass breakup.
Remi Rapert, Harrisburg senior WR — Returned a punt 57 yards for a touchdown, caught three passes for 53 yards, totaled 129 all-purpose yards and recorded five tackles with two pass breakups.