Northeastern State Rolls Past Westgate

TAHLEQUAH, Ok. – Northeastern State set a modern-day program scoring record and set or tied school records in at least three other statistical categories as the RiverHawks cruised past Westgate Christian (Texas) 70-12 on Saturday afternoon on Gable Field at Doc Wadley Stadium.

NSU is off to a 2-2 start through four games for the first time since 2021 and just the second time since 2010. The RiverHawks scored 70 points for the first time since 1919 and passed the modern scoring mark set in a 64-7 win over Oklahoma Panhandle State on Nov. 6, 1999.

NSU scored 10 touchdowns, eight of those on rushing plays, setting and tying single-game school records, respectively. Kicker Troy Nguyen booted 10 conversion kicks, breaking the former record of nine, set by Larry Dotson at Northwestern Oklahoma State on Oct. 31, 1970. The winning margin of 58 points was the fourth-highest in program history and the RiverHawks’ 31 first downs were their third-most ever, and just one off the school record.

NSU’s defense also shined, limiting the Ravens to minus-22 yards rushing, the third-best total in program history, and intercepting four passes, tied for the sixth-best total ever by the RiverHawks.

“I was just proud of the way that we played hard the entire game,” NSU coach Darrin Chiaverini said. “We got better today as a football program, as a football team. We did what we were supposed to do against that opponent. We’re going to have tougher opponents on our schedule, but I was proud of the way that we played hard.

“We made the simple plays, the routine plays, routine, and we didn’t make the simple plays hard today, which we have been doing the last couple weeks. We took care of the football on offense and we took it away on defense, and that’s winning football.”

Kacie Riley had seven carries for 67 yards and three touchdowns (on runs of 5, 2 and 32 yards) for NSU. Ramon McKinney Jr. led the RiverHawks in rushing with 99 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, while Ethan Washington had 10 carries for 72 yards and two touchdowns. Cam Jackson’s lone carry, on a reverse play, resulted in a 69-yard touchdown, and LJ Robins added nine carries for 54 yards and a touchdown.

Quarterback Donnie Smith completed 8 of 10 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns, one apiece to Jackson and Cam Woods. Backups Dereun Dortch and Brady Norman also took snaps behind center for the RiverHawks.

On defense, 26 players recorded at least one tackle for NSU, led by Kale Charboneau, who had seven. Jaxon Woods, Marvelous Owens, Jordan Tolbert and Hagen Foreman each intercepted a pass as the RiverHawks limited Westgate Christian (1-3) to 181 yards of offense.

Westgate Christian stopped NSU on downs inside the 1 on the RiverHawks’ first series, but the only thing that kept NSU from scoring on each of its subsequent 12 drives was the end of each half.

A 16-yard scoring run by McKinney and Jackson’s 69-yard run put NSU up 14-0 after one quarter. It was 35-0 by halftime and 49-0 before the Ravens scored, on a 6-yard pass from Trey Williams to Dallas Kiram. Jaxon Woods blocked the conversion attempt for NSU.

Riley’s 32-yard touchdown run put NSU up 70-6 with 2:12 left before the Ravens scored with 34 seconds left on a 13-yard pass from Allen Rainey to Christian Ross. Westgate Christian – a second-year program which is not affiliated with either the NCAA or NAIA – suited up only 45 players, the vast majority of them freshmen.

Story and image courtesy Northeastern State Athletics

Apprentice Hosting SC Central in First Conference Football Game

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Day has arrived.

It’s been a long time coming, but Apprentice and South Carolina Central Christian will face off at 1:00 pm Eastern today in the first ever New South Athletic Conference football game.

“To say we are excited would be an understatement,” said NSAC commissioner Mike Davis. “As a conference, we have been working to add football since 2022. This will give these young men on the gridiron the same kind of opportunities and experiences that we are privileged to provide student-athletes in men’s basketball, baseball, and our other sports. I couldn’t be happier.”

Along with the Builders and Gladiators, six other schools are competing for a chance to play for the inaugural NSAC Football Championship on November 15 in Metro Atlanta.

Today’s game can be seen live here.

Photo by Keith Johnston on Unsplash

Apprentice Drops Season Opener at Southern Virginia

BUENA VISTA, Va. – The Apprentice School football team fell in the 2025 season opener Saturday night at the hands of Southern Virginia, 27-6.

The Builders lose their second season opener in the last three years, and with the loss, the all-time series with the Knights is now tied at 8-8.

Southern Virginia took the opening kickoff and drove right down the field to open their season with an emphatic touchdown as Henry Audette caught a 7-yard pass from Devin Watson to take the early 7-0 lead.

Apprentice answered early in the second quarter, capping off an 11-play, 67-yard drive with a Tyreon Taylor rushing score from three yards out to cut the lead to 7-6 after the PAT was blocked.

The defense forced a three-and-out, but the Knight defense responded with a 37-yard pick-six at the 9:03 mark of the second quarter, pushing the SVU lead back out to 13-6 after the Builders disrupted the PAT attempt.

The score remained there until the Knights got the ball with their first drive of the second half, going seven plays to score on a 27-yard pass from Watson to Cintez Gibson. The Knights scored again late in the third on a Crew Sage 9-yard rumble.

The Builders had their opportunities to answer, but three second half fumbles put the Apprentice offense at a stand still.

Chase Gayness led the defense with nine tackles, while Fredarico Staton had an interception. Offensively, T.K. Petty led the way with five catches for 75 yards.

Apprentice will look to rebound next week when they open up the home slate with a 1 p.m matchup against N.C. Wesleyan. Tickets and tailgating spots are on sale now at GoBuilders.com/ticketing.

Story and image courtesy Walker McCrary/Apprentice Athletics