9/10/2026
Auburn Riverside 35, River Ridge 29
(Lacey, WA) The Auburn Riverside Ravens travelled to South Sound Stadium to take on the River Ridge Hawks in a non-league 3A clash. The Ravens are coming off a big win over Rogers (Puyallup), shutting out the Rams 38-0. The Hawks were on the road at Kelso and suffered a 27-7 loss to the Hilanders. What transpired was a battle between not only the two talented teams but the young coaches as well. Darrin Reeves for Auburn Riverside and Tim Claridge for River Ridge are both in their second year with their school and have made big strides in turning their programs around. It all came down to one last drive in an intense and wild night of football
1st Half
Auburn Riverside would get the ball first to start the game, and each team would exchange punts on their opening drives. On the Ravens’ second drive of the game, their offense caught a rhythm that would carry on the rest of the night. Emediong Ukpe would get rolling early, putting together some nice runs to get the Ravens into striking range. QB Colten Reid would also cash in with arm to Brayden Rudolph multiple times on the drive for big gains with the last being a 28 yard touchdown to take the early lead. Auburn Riverside would then launch a squib kick towards River Ridge on the kickoff that would go through the hands of a returner. The Ravens would jump on the ball, and the offense took the field once again.
Once again, Auburn Riverside went to work on the ground with Ukpe, who pummeled his way for multiple big gains and first downs. He would get his first touchdown of the night on a short pass from Reid in the flat, which he broke free for 14 yards and the score. Auburn Riverside would lead 14-0, but River Ridge began to catch fire themselves. QB Ryzen Nunez for the Hawks would have full control of the offense with his arm and his legs as he broke free for multiple big runs. They would march down the field before Nunez found Ayden Rookwood for a 28-yard touchdown reception.
Reid, Ukpe, and company would not be flustered and would once again make quick work of the field. Ukpe’s running mixed with the receiving threat of the Ravens found them in the red zone once again. Colton Reid would drop back from 13 yards out and find Sayon Rias in the back of the end zone to recollect a two-score lead. On the final drive of the half, the Hawks put together a methodical drive with Jimmy Ha and Ryzen Nunez leading the charge with their feet. With just 17 seconds left in the half, Nunez finds a wide-open Xavier Street for the six-yard touchdown reception and a successful two-point conversion to bring the score to 21-14.
2nd Half
River Ridge put together the longest drive of the game to begin the second half, but penalties would hold them back field position-wise. Taking almost eight minutes off the clock, tragedy would strike for the Hawks as Nunez was hit while on the run and lost the football. Auburn Riverside would recover and take possession. Once again, the Ravens would strike quickly with their fast-paced offense as Colten Reid found Sayon Rias once again in the back of the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown.
River Ridge now had to move quickly down two scores, and they did just that; Ryzen Nunez would find Ayden Rookwood once again for a 61-yard touchdown to open up the fourth quarter. Back and forth the teams went as both offenses had been on fire. On the kickoff, however, a big return from Rai Hampton plus a penalty gave Auburn Riverside great field position on the 30-yard line. It only took one play from Emediong Ukpe to retake the two-score lead as he rushed for a 30-yard touchdown.
River Ridge did not waver, though, and after a long run from Ryzen Nunez to set them up in striking range, Nunez found a wide-open Ayden Rookwood for a 35-yard touchdown and his third of the game. Once again, they would get a successful two-point conversion and bring the game within six points. The Hawks’ defense needed a stop, and they got it. Ryzen Nunez would sack Raven’s QB Colten Reid for a loss, and River Ridge would hold Auburn Riverside on fourth down. It all came down to the final drive with less than two minutes to go and few timeouts for River Ridge. Nunez would pick up multiple third- and fourth-down conversions with help from Adrian Harvey and Jimmy Ha. With less than 20 seconds to play on fourth down, the Hawks had to go for broke. Nunez looked to the back of the end zone but was just over the head of Ayden Rookwood. Auburn Riverside would get the ball back, kneel it down, and take home the win 35-29.
Sumner Holiday Inn MVP of the Game
The Sumner Holiday Inn MVP of the game went to Emediong Ukpe, who did it all for the Ravens. He tallied 123 yards on 15 carries while also scoring two touchdowns in the game. He was a driving force for the Auburn Riverside offense and seemed unstoppable at times on the ground. An outstanding game for the senior as he helped his team advance to 2-0 on the season.
What’s Next?
Auburn Riverside will face Kentwood High School on the road on Thursday, September 17th, with a 7:00 pm kickoff. River Ridge will play Shelton on the road Friday, September 18th, with a 7:00 pm kickoff.
Stats of Note
Auburn Riverside:
- Emediong Ukpe – 15 carries, 123 yds, 2 TDs
- Colton Reid – 13/14 passing for 183 yds, 4 TDs
- Brayden Rudolph – 2 catches for 53 yds, TD
- Sayon Rias – 3 catches for 49 yds, 2 TDs
River Ridge:
- Ayden Rookwood – 4 catches for 130 yds, 3 TDs
- Ryzen Nunez – 9/14 passing for 167 yds, 4 TDs
- Jimmy Ha – 16 carries for 63 yds
Link to full game replay on the NFHS Network (Subscription required)
Game Highlights
Colten Reid Finds Brayden Rudolph Wide Open for 28 Yard TD
Ryzen Nunez Finds Ayden Rookwood for Six
Colten Reid Finds Sayon Rias in the Back of the End Zone
Ayden Rookwood with the 61 Yard Touchdown
Emediong Ukpe 30 Yard Touchdown Run
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