When Providence Day opened its season on Friday night with a 55-8 win over private school Trinity Christian, the Chargers were able to debut some top-class talent.
Junior quarterback Zaid Lott played his first game as a starter after sitting behind two-time NC Mr. Football Jadyn Davis for two seasons. Lott committed to UNC this summer.
Junior tight end Kendre Harrison played his first game for Providence Day after the reigning MaxPreps National Male Athlete of the Year transferred from Reidsville High School.
And Harrison and Lott played great, even managing a nice touchdown pass, but the (fairly) new Charger who stole the show was junior receiver Brendan Ravin.
“He’s probably the best athlete in the school,” Providence Day coach Chad Grier said. “He also plays basketball. And we always said, ‘He’s going to be great.’ With Braxton out, we had to use him on defense as a cornerback, and they tried him, and he’s consistently performed well.”
A year ago, Ravin alternated between playing for the junior varsity team and the Chargers’ nationally ranked state championship team. He caught seven passes for the team and had eight tackles.
On Friday, Ravin started at wide receiver and also at defensive back when preseason All-Observer selection Braxton Winston was sidelined due to injury.
Ravin caught two passes for 34 yards and scored his first receiving touchdown. He also had two tackles, two pass breakups and an interception that he returned for a touchdown.
This is a rare double hit.
“It’s a crazy feeling,” said Ravin, 17, “because last year I only saw the field a little bit and didn’t really get my chance. This year I have to come out and prove myself on both sides of the ball and step up.”
Trinity Christian of Fayetteville is a contender for the state championship among North Carolina’s private schools and has a quarterback in Elijiah Oehlke who has chosen to play for Wake Forest.
“It was a big step forward to go into a varsity game now,” Ravin said. “But I can play. I wasn’t nervous at all. I’ve been competing my whole life and I’m used to big moments.”
Trinity Christian did throw to Ravin, as Chargers coach Grier said, but the junior made some plays, including this interception.
“It’s a crazy feeling,” Ravin said. “I’m waiting for the receiver and I’m breaking in (to pass), and all of a sudden I see the ball pop up, and when I see the ball, I have to go get it.”
Lott, the Chargers’ new quarterback, believes Ravin will play many games like Friday’s.
“Ravin is a real guy,” Lott said. “We see that all the time in training. He’s underestimated, but people have to stop underestimating him. And when they underestimate him, he’s sure to hurt them.”
Grier said, “Ravin has done this since I’ve known him. He’s a smooth, gifted athlete. He’s a player and he’s going to make plays.”
