Rugged ground game leads Harding over Porter Ridge

Harding learned a lesson in survival in the second round of the N.C. 4A playoffs.

The Rams, who returned to relevance as the top seed in the West Region, toppled Porter Ridge 17-10 Friday on Trayvon Corbett’s 94-yard kick return in the third quarter and a key fourth-quarter stop inside Harding’s 10. The Rams, who advance to a home date in the third round, absorbed Porter Ridge’s best shot in a game played almost exclusively on the ground.

Corbett’s run came after Porter Ridge tied the score at 10-all on a 1-yard run by quarterback Grayson McCall. Gathering the ensuing kickoff at his 6, Corbett shot through a gap in the Pirates’ coverage untouched to put Harding ahead for good.

Rams running back Quavaris Crouch, the nation’s top junior running back, was key to Harding’s success with 164 yards and a score on 23 carries as well as a disruptive defensive force with three tackles for loss.

Harding leaned heavily on its running attack, which piled up 161 yards on 23 first-half attempts. Crouch led the way with 131 yards on 15 carries, including 40-yard romp to push the Rams ahead 10-3 in the second quarter.

Porter Ridge earned some success on the ground, especially in the first quarter, with Jaylen Coleman amassing 59 yards on 11 carries. In the second quarter, though, Harding turned up the pressure to limit the running lanes.

Both sides exchanged field goals on their first possession, with Harding striking first on Alejandro Guevara’s 32-yarder, only to be matched by Jared Whitley’s 40-yarder.

Records: Harding is 11-1. Porter Ridge is 8-5.

Three who mattered

Crouch: The Harding running back went over the 100-yard mark in the first half with 131 on 15 carries and a touchdown. He also racked up three tackles for loss.

Corbett: His 94-yard kick return was the difference.

Malcolm Hines: The Porter Ridge running back rolled up 65 yards on 11 carries, including 63 in the second half as the Pirates’ ground game kicked into gear.

Observations

▪ Neither side did much passing, completing one first-half attempt between them. No one attempted a pass in the second half

▪ Jaylen Coleman took over at quarterback for Grayson McCall in the third quarter when he left with an undisclosed injury.

Worth mentioning

Harding advances to the third round, its best postseason showing since the 1987 team lost the state title game to Garner.

What's next

Harding is at home for the third round.

This story was originally published November 17, 2017 at 10:25 PM with the headline "Rugged ground game leads Harding over Porter Ridge."