RIPLEY, Miss. (Sept. 12, 2025) – Ripley’s young offense built an early 14‑7 halftime lead on Friday night behind the poise of freshman quarterback Kyran McDonald and a stout defensive effort. Playing at home in front of a raucous crowd, the Tigers looked poised to secure a statement win before visiting Lewisburg rallied late to snatch a 28‑21 victory. The loss evened Ripley’s record at 1‑1 while Lewisburg improved to 2‑1.
Early fireworks and Ripley momentum
The opening quarter featured both defenses trading punts until Lewisburg pieced together a 12‑play march that bled into the second period. Tailback Jayden Snow capped that possession with a six‑yard dive, giving the Patriots a 7‑0 advantage. Ripley struck back immediately. Freshman Kyran McDonald, who accounted for 277 of the Tigers’ 344 total yards, uncorked a 43‑yard strike on third‑and‑four to wideout Elijah Perry, knotting the score at 7. On Ripley’s next possession, running back Ethan Adams burst through the middle for a 31‑yard touchdown, sending the Tigers into the locker room up 14‑7 and electrifying the home crowd.
Second‑half momentum swings the other way
Ripley’s defense set the tone for much of the night, but the Patriots gradually wore the Tigers down on the ground. Lewisburg gained fewer total yards (287 to Ripley’s 344) and attempted only ten passes, yet relied on its rushing attack and a disciplined offensive line to flip momentum after the break. Junior Lukas Edwards powered his way for 119 yards on 17 carries and scored the tying touchdown on a one‑yard plunge early in the fourth quarter. Sophomore Levi Presley added 52 yards and two touchdowns on 11 rushes, including the go‑ahead seven‑yard scamper with just over two minutes remaining. Lewisburg’s ability to sustain drives — especially in short‑yardage situations — kept Ripley’s offense off the field and wore down a defense that had been stout in the first half.
Quarterback Jacob Manns completed only three passes for Lewisburg, but one of them was a 56‑yard bomb to Cole Peterson that set up the Patriots’ first scoring drive. Ripley’s opportunistic defense generated a takeaway when sophomore defensive back Cohen Wright intercepted Manns in the first quarter and returned it into Patriot territory, but the Tigers couldn’t convert the turnover into points. Ripley was also hurt by 12 penalties for 70 yards and a critical fumble, while Lewisburg committed just two infractions.
Freshman Kyran McDonald shines in defeat
Ripley’s offense revolved around the dual‑threat ability of Kyran McDonald, and the freshman more than delivered. He completed 14 of 20 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, and he also led the Tigers with 132 rushing yards on 20 carries. McDonald found Kee‑won Adams five times for 71 yards, including an 18‑yard touchdown reception midway through the fourth quarter that briefly tied the game at 21. Adams added three rushes and handled kick‑return duties. Ethan Adams chipped in 46 rushing yards and a score, though his second‑half fumble proved costly. Special‑teams ace Paxton Kennamore averaged 41 yards on six punts, pinning Lewisburg inside its own 20 on three occasions.
Ripley’s defense, spearheaded by linebacker Jackson Dilworth (five solo tackles) and defensive back Bradley Haynes (three tackles and a fumble recovery), held Lewisburg to 4.5 yards per carry and routinely forced third‑and‑long. However, the Tigers couldn’t get off the field on fourth downs, and a rash of penalties extended multiple Patriot drives in the second half.
Late turning point and finish
After Edwards’ one‑yard plunge tied the game at 21 early in the fourth quarter, Ripley still controlled its own destiny. But on the Tigers’ ensuing possession, McDonald was sacked on third down and Kennamore was forced to punt. Lewisburg responded with a clock‑eating march, and Presley’s seven‑yard touchdown run with 2:08 remaining put the visitors in front for good. Ripley’s final drive reached midfield before stalling on fourth‑and‑long, leaving the Tigers one big play short of a memorable upset.
What it means
The Tigers’ narrow loss provided a glimpse of their potential under first‑year head coach and their freshman quarterback. Ripley out‑gained Lewisburg and held the lead for much of the night, but turnovers and penalties proved decisive. With McDonald showing maturity beyond his years, Ripley looks capable of making noise in the weeks ahead. The Tigers will try to learn from this setback when they travel to East Webster next Friday, while Lewisburg returns home to face Lafayette.
