Xzayvion Harris fuels Hunt over Union Pines in opening game of 2026 HighSchoolOT Jamboree

CARY, N.C. — Hunt senior quarterback Xzayvion Harris was electric, although a bit tired throughout the second half of Hunt's 14-8 win over Union Pines in the first game of Saturday's HighSchoolOT jamboree.

The deciding play was certainly the most awe-inspiring. With 36 seconds to go, Hunt was nearing the red zone with the opportunity for a go-ahead touchdown. However, the Warriors botched the snap and a winded Harris hurried to collect the ball as it bounced further and further from the end zone. Harris picked it up and surveyed the field. He moved forward, causing the Viking safety to commit forward. He launched the ball over the defense to a waiting Jayden Newsome in the end zone. That was the final word in the season-opener as Hunt came away with the win.

The HighSchoolOT Jamboree at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park is brought to you by State Employees Credit Union, Talk it Out NC, the United States Army, and Wake Orthopaedics. The event features 10 high-profile programs from around the state: Union Pines, Hunt, J.H. Rose, #19 Rolesville, #9 Southeast Raleigh, #22 Wake Forest, #7 Cardinal Gibbons, #4 Millbrook, Middle Creek, and #25 Southern Durham.

First HighSchoolOT Jamboree of 2026 features larger venue, 10 contending teams

The teams played two 22 minute halves with running clocks until the 2-minute mark. For additional differing rules, read here.

The Vikings started slow, gaining zero yards combined on their first two drives. It wasn’t until inside the 10-minute mark of the first half that Union Pines took the lid off with a 17-yard breakout run from junior running back Zane Maxwell.

That got the ball rolling for UPHS as junior quarterback Vida Blue connected for 15 yards with receiver John Erguiza. A third straight play resulting in first down was another run by Maxwell, this time for 14 yards. A penalty broke up the action, but didn’t stop Union’s momentum, as Blue pushed forward with a 12-yard connection to Liam Hicks.

• View and purchase photos from Hunt vs. Union Pines scrimmage (Aug. 8, 2026)

The Vikings put cleats to the ground and rushed into the red zone. Eventually, Viking senior Dylan Benedict got his first carry of the night for a 4-yard touchdown with 1:59 to play in the first half. Senior running back Adrian Colon ran in the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.

Without much opportunity before half, Hunt didn’t waste any time. Harris was on point with his passing. He started the drive with a 7-yard gain to wide receiver Jahkeal Creech. Then, he hit Kemaury Barnes and Tyson Baker for three straight completions, each for between 9-13 yards.

Harris was even gaining meaningful yards and picking up first downs while scrambling on the ground. He was cooking with a rollout pass to Barnes as the Warriors neared the red zone. They got there with 10 seconds remaining as Harris connected with Andrew Looney to get to the Union Pines 6-yard line.

Ultimately, Harris looked gassed just before the buzzer sounded. Creech switched to quarterback for the final play of the half, but wasn’t able to connect leaving the Vikings ahead 8-0 heading into the break.

Harris’ final drive helped lift him to 60 yards on 6-for-10 completion by halftime. The senior also rushed for 26 yards in the first on just three carries.

The game was put on a weather delay due to heat index at halftime. As a result, the second half was a shortened 10-minute period that began at 6:30 p.m.

Warrior running back Doryan Jones certainly looked energized after the break, rushing for 47 yards in four consecutive carries to open the second half. Eventually, a screen play helped Harris set up Creech for a 19-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion was good for Harris to tie the game 8-8 with 5:58 to play.

Hunt's defense forced a quick punt after three solid stops. The next drive resulted in Harris' miracle pass to Newsome for the go ahead end zone.

Scoring plays

1st half

• Union Pines — 1:59 remianing: 4-yard rushing TD for Dylan Benedict; 2-point conversion ran in by Adrian Colon. 8-0

2nd half

• Hunt — 5:58 remaining: 19-yard passing TD from Xzayvion Harris to Jahkeal Creech; 2-point conversion ran in by Harris. 8-8
• Hunt — 0:28 remaining: 18-yard passing TD from Harris to Jayden Newsome; 2-point conversion failed. 14-8

Stats

Union Pines

• Passing: Via Blue 2-for-3 and 27 yards, Cyrus Sprinkle 1-for-1 and -2 yards
• Rushing: Zane Maxwell (5 carries/34 yards), Adrian Colon (5 carries/20 yards), Terai Lottie (2 carries/9 yards), Kosie McDowell (2 carries/5 yards), Dylan Benedict (1 carry/4 yards/1 TD)
• Receiving: John Erguiza (1 reception/15 yards), Tyson Davis (1 reception/12 yards), Andrew Looney (1 reception/-2 yards)

Hunt

• Passing: Xzayvion Harris 9-for-17 and 105 yards (2 TDs)
• Rushing: Doryan Jones (9 carries/67yards), Harris (6 carries/66yards), #20 (2 carries/4 yards)
• Receiving: Jahkeal Creech (3 receptions/34 yards/ 1 TD), Jayden Newsome (2 receptions/26 yards/1 TD), Kemaury Barnes (2 receptions/23 yards), Tyson Baker (1 reception/13yards), Carlos McCray (1 reception/9 yards)