NRCA defeats rival Ravenscroft with last-minute touchdown
By Joel Bryant, HighSchoolOT reporter
RALEIGH, N.C. — North Raleigh Christian Academy came away with a surprise win over the Knights' archrival Ravenscroft on Friday Night. The Ravens were ranked No. 12 in the latest HighSchoolOT rankings for NCISAA football. The Knights scored a touchdown with 50 seconds left to go ahead 30-27. That score held until the final whistle.
The impressive opening play of the game was a sign of things to come for NRCA.
The Knight’s Khalil Snell returned the opening kick 93 yards for a touchdown to put NRCA in front with 11:48 to go in the first quarter.
Ravenscroft responded fairly quickly. Ravens quarterback Gavin Mathan connected with Deacon Adams on a 48-yard bomb to tie the game up at 7 with 9:30 to go in the opening quarter.
On the next NRCA drive, a pass was intercepted by Ravenscroft's Kyle Morin, giving the Ravens the ball in great field position on the NRCA 24.
The Ravens took advantage of the turnover. Matthew Badger found the end zone from a couple yards out to put Ravenscroft in front of NRCA 14-7 with 6:46 left in the first.
The ensuing possession for NRCA was impressive. The Knights gashed Ravenscroft with a mixture of sweeps, counters, and QB runs. Each seemed to generate 8+ yards. The drive culminating with a touchdown run by Rogerick Ray from a yard out. The extra point was blocked by Ravenscroft. The Ravens led 14-13 into the second quarter.
Ravenscroft perfectly executed a trick play on the following possession. After a reverse and flip back to Mathan, the quarterback found Adams down the field for a 49-yard gain. The Ravens were flagged for celebrating after the play. The NRCA defense held strong and forced a turnover on downs after the play.
Later in the half, Dalton Bennett of NRCA came down with an interception and took it back all the way for a touchdown.
NRCA went into the half up 23-14.
With two minutes left in the game, Ray of NRCA blocked a Ravenscroft punt. The Knights recovered on the Ravenscroft 45. Down 27-23, the Knights drove down the field and scored on a Ray rush with 50 seconds left.
Ray rushed 21 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns while also adding 11 tackles defensively. Jackson Maye of NRCA finished with 21 total tackles and a fumble recovery.
By Joel Bryant, HighSchoolOT reporter
RALEIGH, N.C. — North Raleigh Christian Academy came away with a surprise win over the Knights' archrival Ravenscroft on Friday Night. The Ravens were ranked No. 12 in the latest HighSchoolOT rankings for NCISAA football. The Knights scored a touchdown with 50 seconds left to go ahead 30-27. That score held until the final whistle.
The impressive opening play of the game was a sign of things to come for NRCA.
The Knight’s Khalil Snell returned the opening kick 93 yards for a touchdown to put NRCA in front with 11:48 to go in the first quarter.
Ravenscroft responded fairly quickly. Ravens quarterback Gavin Mathan connected with Deacon Adams on a 48-yard bomb to tie the game up at 7 with 9:30 to go in the opening quarter.
On the next NRCA drive, a pass was intercepted by Ravenscroft's Kyle Morin, giving the Ravens the ball in great field position on the NRCA 24.
The Ravens took advantage of the turnover. Matthew Badger found the end zone from a couple yards out to put Ravenscroft in front of NRCA 14-7 with 6:46 left in the first.
The ensuing possession for NRCA was impressive. The Knights gashed Ravenscroft with a mixture of sweeps, counters, and QB runs. Each seemed to generate 8+ yards. The drive culminating with a touchdown run by Rogerick Ray from a yard out. The extra point was blocked by Ravenscroft. The Ravens led 14-13 into the second quarter.
Ravenscroft perfectly executed a trick play on the following possession. After a reverse and flip back to Mathan, the quarterback found Adams down the field for a 49-yard gain. The Ravens were flagged for celebrating after the play. The NRCA defense held strong and forced a turnover on downs after the play.
Later in the half, Dalton Bennett of NRCA came down with an interception and took it back all the way for a touchdown.
NRCA went into the half up 23-14.
With two minutes left in the game, Ray of NRCA blocked a Ravenscroft punt. The Knights recovered on the Ravenscroft 45. Down 27-23, the Knights drove down the field and scored on a Ray rush with 50 seconds left.
Ray rushed 21 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns while also adding 11 tackles defensively. Jackson Maye of NRCA finished with 21 total tackles and a fumble recovery.
