Tabernacle Christian Burns Riverside 74-43 to Improve to 2-0

GARDENDALE, AL — The Tabernacle Christian School Torches turned a fast start into a track meet Friday night, racing to a 74-43 win over the visiting Riverside Christian Academy Knights at Bill Noble Park.

Sophomore running back Kobe Sharpe set the tone early and never let up, rushing for 244 yards and three touchdowns on just eight carries. Quarterback Landn Ervin added two touchdown passes and a pair of scoring runs, and the Torches built a 58-22 halftime cushion that put the outcome out of reach before the break.

The victory moves Tabernacle to 2-0 to open the 2026 season. Riverside, which showed plenty of firepower of its own, dropped to 0-2.

First Half Action

The Torches wasted no time. Their defense forced a three-and-out on the Knights’ opening possession, and the offense answered with a quick touchdown toss from Landn Ervin to Logan Beck to grab the early lead.

Riverside’s next drive ended in disaster. A fumble handed the ball back to Tabernacle, and Sharpe took the next handoff to the house on an electric run. Junior Aden Garrett punched in a two-point conversion, and the Torches led 16-0.

The defense kept the pressure on, stiffening for a turnover on downs to give the offense the ball at its own 30. Sharpe picked up a quick first down on the ground, and Ervin followed with a gutsy run to the 10. One play later, Ervin fired a touchdown toss to Beck. Garrett added his second two-point conversion run to make it 24-0 with two minutes left in the first quarter.

The visitors finally answered through the air, connecting on a long touchdown strike to cut the deficit to 24-8. The Torches responded in a hurry. Sharpe broke off a 40-yard run to the Knights’ 20, then speedy junior Jackson Woodard scampered in from 20 yards out for his first score of the night. Woodard tacked on the two-point run to push the lead to 32-6.

The Knights showed their resolve, taking the ensuing kickoff the distance for a return touchdown. After a failed two-point try, Tabernacle led the visitors from Tennessee 32-14 at the end of the first quarter.

Key Turning Points

Riverside opened the second quarter with a spark, recovering an onside kick. But the Knights failed to convert a first down and punted it away. Sharpe returned the kick to midfield, and the Torches went right back to work.

Ervin moved the chains with a hard run, then hit Sharpe on a shovel pass for another first down. Ervin capped the drive with his second touchdown pass of the night, and Woodard added another two-point conversion to make it 40-17 with 9:30 left in the half.

Riverside kept swinging. A long completion set up the Knights at the Tabernacle 10, and Luke Hall powered in for a touchdown run. The Torches answered instantly, as Sharpe ripped off a 50-yard scoring run.

The Tabernacle defense then delivered the knockout sequence. Chase Winborne and Aiden Garrett dropped Knights ball carriers on back-to-back tackles for loss, forcing a punt. Woodard capitalized with another highlight touchdown run to stretch the margin to 52-22 midway through the second quarter.

After another defensive stand forced a Riverside turnover at the Knights’ 40, a strong run by Kolby Pierce set up Ervin, who found the end zone again on the ground. Tabernacle carried a commanding 58-22 lead into halftime.

Final Outlook

The second half offered little drama. Sharpe and Ervin each added scoring runs to ice the game, and the Torches closed out a 74-43 victory.

Riverside had reasons for optimism despite the loss. Hall finished 9 of 26 through the air for 234 yards and three touchdowns while adding 40 yards and a score on six carries. Wideout Noah Patterson was a constant threat, hauling in six catches for 210 yards and two touchdowns.

For Tabernacle, Sharpe’s 244-yard, three-touchdown night led the way, and Ervin was efficient at 3 of 5 for 36 yards and two scores through the air. Logan Beck chipped in two receptions for 19 yards and two touchdowns.

The Torches now shift their focus to conference play. Tabernacle hits the road next Friday night to open CFA action against Jacksonville Christian, looking to carry its 2-0 momentum into the league schedule.

Riverside returns home searching for its first win of 2026 after two straight setbacks to open the season.