Providence Day has a new ‘dawg.’ Junior Brendan Ravin waits his turn, has monster debut

When Providence Day opened its season with a 55-8 win against private school power Trinity Christian on Friday night, the Chargers debuted some high-profile talent.

Junior quarterback Zaid Lott was playing his first game as a regular starter after sitting behind two-time N.C. 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 athlete of the year transferred from Reidsville High School.

And Harrison and Lott played great, even connecting on a pretty touchdown pass , but the (somewhat) new Charger who stole the show was junior receiver Brendan Ravin.

“He might be the best athlete at the school,” Providence Day coach Chad Grier said. “He plays basketball, too. And we kept saying, ‘He’s going to be great.’ With Braxton out, we had to start him at corner on defense and they tried him and he kept making plays.”

A year ago, Ravin split time between the junior varsity and the Chargers’ nationally-ranked state championship varsity team. He caught seven varsity passes. He had eight tackles.

On Friday, Ravin started at wide receiver and also started at defensive back, when preseason All-Observer pick Braxton Winston sat out with injury.

Ravin caught two passes for 34 yards and got his first receiving touchdown. He also had two tackles, two pass breakups and an interception that he returned for a touchdown.

That’s a rare scoring double.

“It’s a crazy feeling,” said Ravin, 17, “because last year, I saw the field a little bit and didn’t get my chance really. This year, I got to come out and prove myself on both sides of the ball and step up.”

Trinity Christian from Fayetteville is a state championship contender among N.C. private schools and has a quarterback, Elijiah Oehlke, who has committed to Wake Forest.

“It was a big step forward going into a varsity game,” Ravin said. “But I can play. I wasn’t nervous at all. I’ve been competing all my life and I’m used to big moments.”

Trinity Christian did throw at Ravin, as Chargers coach Grier said, but the junior did make some plays, including that interception.

“It’s a crazy feeling,” Ravin said. “I’m waiting for the receiver and I break on (the pass) and all of a sudden, I see the ball pop up, and when I see the ball, I’ve got to go get it.”

Lott, the Chargers’ new QB, thinks Ravin will have lots of games like he did on Friday.

“Ravin is a dawg,” Lott said. “We see it in practice all the time. He’s underrated, but people need to stop sleeping on him. And when they do sleep on him, he them hurt for sure.”

Said Grier: “Ravin’s done it since I’ve known him. He’s a smooth, gifted athlete. He’s a gamer, and he’s going to make plays.”