10/05/2026
Raleigh opened Region 6-3A play in dominant fashion on Homecoming Night, rolling past McLaurin 48-0 on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The victory improved the Lions to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in region play.
“That’s the main thing,” said Raleigh head coach Ryan Higdon regarding the Lions’ 1-0 start to region play. “You play a district ball game, and you want to come out with a win — especially in the first one to set yourself up so that you don’t have to play catch up.”
Raleigh wasted little time setting the tone, scoring on its second offensive play from scrimmage following the opening kickoff. Jaylin Owens capped the quick possession with an 11-yard touchdown run.
The Lions built a 33-0 lead by the end of the first quarter, with special teams playing a major role in the fast start. Raleigh blocked two McLaurin punts for safeties and returned a free kick for a touchdown.
The Lions’ offense added two touchdown passes during the opening quarter, including a 32-yard reception by Brendan Harper and a 48-yard touchdown catch by Brandon Laird.
Raleigh added two more scores in the second quarter, with the first starting a running clock and the second completing the Lions’ scoring for the night. The defense preserved the shutout in the second half to secure the 48-0 victory.
Raleigh now enters unfamiliar territory for Higdon, as the Lions head into a bye week before traveling to Magee on Friday, October 16.
“It’s the first bye week I’ve ever had as a coach,” Higdon said. “So I’m gonna have to make a few phone calls to coaching buddies and see how they handle bye weeks. We’ll focus on us, trying to get better, and get some guys healthy. We’ll focus on getting better and start turning our focus on Magee when that time comes.”
“Magee will be typical Magee,” Higdon added. “They’ll be well coached with a lot of good athletes. We’ll have to be ready when we roll in there next week.”
Kickoff at Magee is scheduled for 7 p.m.