Ryle has had no trouble putting points on the board this year, scoring at least 31 in each of its first three contests and averaging 35.7 during its unbeaten start.
It took just 12 seconds for the Raiders to score Friday, and they surpassed their season points high in the first half alone, generating 43 in the first two quarters vs. Highlands in a 50-14 win at Borland Stadium.
"I knew we had an explosive offense -- I think our defense gets overlooked," Ryle coach Mike Engler said. “It did feel nice -- when I was at LexCath a couple of years ago, they had the running clock on us in the first half in the state semifinals, and I remember that to this day."
Jake Chisholm took the opening kickoff back 91 yards to make it 7-0 before either team had run a play.
"I was thinking: I’m gonna return this for a touchdown," Chisholm said. “I’m not gonna lie -- Cole (Burch) called the ball but I called him off. I saw that lane, made one cut and just ran from there all the way to the end zone."
Cole Burch scored on a 2-yard run to make it a two-score game, and Chisholm found the end zone again on a hook and lateral to extend Ryle’s lead to 21.
“We had been practicing it all week, and once (Easton) Pilyer caught that ball I saw that green space and before he pitched the ball I knew it was a touchdown,” Chisholm said.
Burch punched in another 2-yard run with 35 seconds to give the Raiders a 28-0 lead.
There will still 35 seconds left in the first quarter at the time.
Burch scored his third TD of the night from three yards out three minutes into the second quarter, and he added the conversion to induce the running clock, essentially ending any doubt in this game well before halftime.
By the half, Tanner Morgan was 13 of 15 for 219 yards and two touchdowns, and he finished with 250 passing yards. Chisholm had three catches for 98 yards, but team leader Bryce Ashley caught 10 passes for 105 yards.
Ryle, which also beat the Bluebirds last season, 48-24, is 4-0 for the second straight year. The Raiders have improved on their offensive output each week (31, 34, 42, 50).
Hear more from Tanner Morgan about the 50-14 win:
Ryle travels to Campbell County next week while Highlands visits Louisville St. Xavier.
