Gunner Rivers will Face Off Against Luke Bryan’s Son in Week 1

NC State fans will get an early look at one of the program’s future stars.

Wolfpack 2027 quarterback commit Gunner Rivers and St. Michael Catholic (Fairhope, Ala.) will open the 2026 high school football season against Battle Ground Academy (Franklin, Tenn.) on August 22 at 1:30 p.m., with the game set to be televised nationally on the ESPN Network.

The nationally televised matchup features two talented quarterbacks with famous fathers.

A Battle of Famous Families

While Gunner Rivers’ father needs little introduction to football fans, Battle Ground Academy quarterback Bo Bryan is the son of country music superstar Luke Bryan.

Philip Rivers and Luke Bryan have built careers in completely different worlds, but on August 22, their sons will share the field.

Adding another layer to the storyline, Philip Rivers is also the head coach at St. Michael Catholic.

Two State Powers Collide

This isn’t simply a made-for-TV matchup because of recognizable last names.

Both programs enter the season as legitimate championship contenders.

2025 Records

St. Michael Catholic
13-1
Lost in the Alabama state semifinals

Battle Ground Academy
13-1
Tennessee state champions

The game features two programs coming off outstanding seasons and should provide one of the best high school matchups of opening weekend.

About Bo Bryan

Bryan enters the season as Battle Ground Academy’s projected starting quarterback after serving primarily as a backup last year.

2025 Statistics

28-of-44 passing
336 passing yards
5 touchdown passes

The three-star prospect is currently ranked as the No. 67 overall player in Tennessee in the 2027 recruiting class and holds offers from:

UT Martin
Austin Peay
North Alabama

Gunner Rivers Is Much More Than a Famous Last Name

While Rivers’ family name naturally draws attention, his recruiting profile speaks for itself.

The NC State commitment is one of the most highly regarded prospects the Wolfpack has landed in the modern recruiting era.

247Sports Rankings (2027 Class)

No. 43 overall player nationally
No. 4 quarterback nationally
No. 1 player in Alabama

His ranking currently ties him as the eighth-highest rated recruit to commit to NC State since modern recruiting rankings began.

Simply put, Rivers is an elite quarterback prospect regardless of who his father is.

Elite Junior Season

Rivers backed up the recruiting hype with outstanding production during his junior campaign.

2025 Statistics

69.1% completion percentage
3,176 passing yards
46 touchdown passes
5 interceptions
131.8 passer rating

His combination of accuracy, decision-making, and explosive playmaking is a major reason why he’s viewed as one of the nation’s top quarterback prospects.

A Preview for Wolfpack Fans

NC State fans won’t have to wait until Rivers arrives in Raleigh to see him in action.

With the season opener set to air on ESPN, Wolfpack fans will get an opportunity to watch one of the program’s future cornerstones perform on a national stage against one of the top teams in the Southeast.

For a quarterback already carrying lofty expectations, it will be another chance to prove why he’s one of the biggest recruiting wins of the Dave Doeren era.