Sharpe, Ervin Power Tabernacle Christian Past North River 48-19

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Kobe Sharpe ran wild and Landn Ervin threw for three scores as the Tabernacle Christian Torches leaned on a balanced, high-powered attack to top North River Christian on Friday night, evening their record at 3-3 heading into the back half of the season.

The Torches mixed a punishing ground game with just enough passing punch to stay in control, and a defense anchored by Sharpe kept North River from finding a rhythm. The win gives Tabernacle momentum at the perfect time, with an emotional rivalry showdown on deck.

Sharpe Sets the Tone on the Ground

The story of the night was Sharpe, who carried 23 times for 228 yards and three touchdowns. His combination of speed and power gave North River fits from the opening series, and his ability to break tackles turned short-yardage plays into chunk gains.

Every time the Torches needed a spark, Sharpe delivered. He kept drives alive on early downs, then finished them in the end zone, giving Tabernacle a steady scoring pace that North River struggled to match.

Ervin Finds His Targets Through the Air

While Sharpe handled the workload on the ground, Ervin made his throws count. The senior quarterback completed 5 of 10 passes for 175 yards and three touchdowns, averaging a hefty 35 yards per completion. He also chipped in 46 rushing yards, keeping the North River defense honest with his legs.

Ervin’s efficiency stood out. He picked his spots, took advantage of one-on-one coverage, and turned a handful of throws into big plays that shifted momentum.

Tidwell Delivers Big Plays

Colton Tidwell was Ervin’s go-to option downfield. The senior hauled in three catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns, stretching the field and giving the Torches a home-run threat on the outside. His long scoring grabs forced North River to respect the pass, which in turn opened more running lanes for Sharpe.

That balance proved tough to defend. When North River loaded the box, Ervin and Tidwell made them pay through the air. When they backed off, Sharpe took over on the ground.

Torches Defense Holds Firm

Sharpe didn’t just shine on offense. He led Tabernacle in tackles with 13 stops, showing up all over the field to slow North River’s attack. Reese Morgan added six tackles, providing steady support and helping the Torches close running lanes and limit big gains.

The defense set the tone by forcing North River into tough down-and-distance situations, giving the offense plenty of chances to build and protect its lead.

A Look at North River

North River battled throughout and showed flashes of the talent that has become a hallmark of the growing program. Eddie Hall’s Chargers will look to regroup quickly and clean up the areas that gave Tabernacle openings. With a home matchup ahead, they have a chance to bounce back and get back on track.

What’s Next

Tabernacle returns to action next Friday night, hosting arch rival Tuscaloosa Christian in what should be one of the most anticipated games on the schedule. A win would push the Torches above .500 and give head coach Josiah Davis’ squad serious momentum down the stretch.

North River Christian stays home next week, steeping out of conference play and welcoming a gritty Trinity Christian squad to T-Town.