Youngker Spoils Havasu High School’s Homecoming Game

By Lonnie Stevenson

Lake Havasu High School hosted the Youngker Roughriders Friday night for the annual homecoming game.

The Knights jumped out first, taking a 13-0 lead into the second quarter before the visitors found a rhythm taking a 21-13 lead into halftime.

Senior lineman Robby Schaper got the scoring started for Havasu in the first quarter scoring on a 1-yard run. The extra point was blocked, and Havasu led 6-0.

Havasu defense held Youngker on the next drive, getting the ball back into the offense’s hands at the Havasu 15-yard line.

On the first play of the drive, senior quarterback Tyler Thompson found a hole in the Youngker defense and quickly scampered down the sideline for an 85-yard touchdown, putting Havasu up 13-0.

Play was highlighted, though, by a 26-yard touchdown pass from Youngker senior quarterback Jacob Lira to senior wide receiver Julius Barber at which time the horn sounded ending the second quarter while the ball was still in the air.

Senior Tyler Thompson runs the ball the field for a touchdown. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

That play swung all the momentum over to the visitors and Havasu never recovered.

Havasu received the opening kickoff of the second half but was unable to move the ball and get a first down. After punting the ball to Youngker, the Roughriders went on a time-consuming drive, scoring on an 18-yard touchdown pass with 5:18 left in the third quarter to extend the lead 28-13 and Havasu never recovered. The final score was 41-13 Youngker.

But there was more than a game going on. It was homecoming and the 2023 Homecoming Court included Siena Anderson and Leo Andrade, Tatum Wilcox and Tyler Thompson, Nyri Alozian and Ryer Spencer, Saige Loya and Jake Zemojitel.

Nikole Wolfe and Kan Parra were crowned Homecoming Queen and King at halftime.

The high school did a mini cheer clinic for girls in Lake Havasu ages 5-14. They performed with the LHHS cheerleaders during the game.

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

The Knight’s loss drops Havasu to 1-3 on the season. Four of the next five games for the Knights are on the road starting with a game against Thunderbird High School in Phoenix, Sept 29, followed by another trip to the Valley Oct. 6, against Northwest Christian High School.

Havasu’s next home game is Oct. 13, against St. Mary’s.

To view video of the game, visit our RiverScene Magazine page.