ROCKINGHAM — Just days away from facing its third ranked opponent in as many games to start the season, the Richmond Raider football program is embracing the challenge.
Through two weeks of regular-season football, a scrappy Richmond squad nearly upset a top-five Seventy-First High School before blistering its way past Butler High School for its first win Saturday.
As the resurgence of the program continues to pick up speed, Week 3 will see a familiar and formidable opponent standing in the Raiders’ way.
Richmond and head coach Brad Denson will travel to Cardinal Gibbons High School, another top 4A team and a final four team from a season ago in the state playoffs.
Before the whistles start Friday night, Denson shared that the Raiders have to maintain the energy they’ve created through the first two weeks of the season. And that comes at the levels of the players and the coaches at practice and on game day.
“As a program, we just keep having fun and keep everyone involved in practice,” Denson said. “The more we can do that, the more the kids stay focused and can be attentive.
“As a staff, we have to bring energy each day. If we are out there being all nonchalant, the kids will follow what we do. Focus, along with energy, are things that have to stay consistent.”
Richmond has spent the last couple of days getting ready for the Crusaders (1-0), albeit on a short week following a rainout Friday and a make-up game Saturday against Butler.
Fortunately for the players, not much has changed. Denson and the coaching staff, however, have had to put in some extra work to get the team prepped.
“The short week is more on the coaches and the game planning side of it,” Denson explained. “Luckily we had the holiday weekend, so we met as a staff and got the game plan together.
“The kids are pretty much on the same schedule. We did dial down the practice and team segments a little (Monday), but other than that, all is normal and the game prep is moving along.”
The Crusaders, who are coached by Steven Wright, are coming off an unexpected off week. Originally scheduled to play Mallard Creek High School in Week 2, Cardinal Gibbons and the Mavericks were rained out and ultimately canceled the game.
Denson said the only benefit for the Raiders is that they have one more week of game experience compared to Cardinal Gibbons. He said it’s a double-edged sword.
“I don’t think it really benefits us other than them not having but so much game experience,” Denson shared. “They get time off to heal up any bangs or bruises and we are on a little shorter week, so we just have to play through them. That’s part of our mantra this year of ‘be tough’.”
Friday’s meeting will be the sixth time Richmond and Cardinal Gibbons have met since 2019 including the regular season and playoffs. The Raiders’ only win came in the series opener on the road and the Crusaders have won the past four meetings.
While there has been a changing of the guard at Richmond since the last time the two teams met in Raider Stadium last season, a 26-9 loss, Denson said the Raiders will give themselves a chance if they continue to play the hard-nosed style of football shown the past two weeks.
“We are going to have to play a mistake-free game for sure,” Denson said. “Hopefully we can continue to create a turnover or two on the defensive side and with the offense, we must control the line of scrimmage and not have turnovers.
“Cardinal Gibbons is extremely well-coached and they will be disciplined in what they do. We have to match that.”
On paper, the Crusaders put up big offensive numbers in their first game of the season against Jordan High School on Aug. 23. Winning 43-24, Cardinal Gibbons put up 475 yards of total offense and used a balanced attack of three passing and three rushing scores.
After seeing a run-heavy Seventy-First attack, and a Butler team that had to adjust to using its ground game more, Denson said the Raiders will see a layered offense in the Crusaders that all starts with the quarterback.
“On offense, they are very multiple with formations and schemes,” Denson explained. “Their outside zone run game is always good and they have a QB who can throw every ball and use his legs as well.
“They have several big targets to throw to out on the perimeter, along with an all-state offensive lineman at tackle. But the one who makes them go is the QB.”
At quarterback for the Crusaders is junior Gannon Jones, who threw 15-of-22 for 332 passing yards in the team’s season opener. He added three passing touchdowns and was mobile with 78 rushing yards on nine carries and a score.
Leading the team in receiving are senior Sam Dodd and junior Connor Mcgeehan, who stand at 6-3 and 6-0, respectively. Dodd pulled in two scores of five catches and 169 yards, while Mcgeehan caught four passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.
Another possible threat is junior wide receiver Brayden Karras, who made three receptions for 44 yards against Jordan. Cardinal Gibbons’ go-to back Noah Terry carried the ball just seven times, but scored twice in Week 1.
Helping pave the way for the run game is senior Jack Sheehan, a 6-6, 300-pounder at offensive tackle.
There to combat the Crusaders’ offense will be a stout Richmond defense that shutout Butler High School for more than three straight quarters in Week 2.
The Raiders also have three of the top five total tacklers in the 4A classification through two games — junior linebacker Terande Spencer (tied first with 31 tackles), senior linebacker K’Mauri Morgan (tied third with 29 tackles) and senior linebacker Joe Parsons (fourth with 28 tackles).
Richmond’s defensive coordinator Chris Campolieta shared following last week’s win that the defense “made good adjustments” against Butler, which allowed the Raiders to dominate in the box and the secondary.
A lot of that momentum was created by Richmond’s ability to produce four positive turnovers in the second half — three fumbles and an interception. One of those fumble recoveries was returned to the end zone for a score by senior Chris Covington.
While the Raider defense’s motor has been humming, Cardinal Gibbons’ has yet to force any turnover this season. But fast off the line, the Crusaders recorded seven tackles-for-loss and had two sacks against Jordan.
“On defense, they are always very sound in what they do,” Denson noted. “Their guys will be coached up and will do exactly what their coaches teach them.
“The big thing that I see with them is that there is not a weak link anywhere. This is a very good team all around and we will have to play a great game.”
Leading tacklers for the Crusaders include senior defensive tackle Chris Pinder (eight tackles, two TFL), junior linebacker Billy Turner (six tackles) and three others who all had four tackles against Jordan, including senior defensive lineman Conway Kelly and his two TFL.
“We are here for the challenge and look forward to visiting them on Friday night,” Denson closed. “We are still 1-1 and have a .500 record, so we haven’t really done much. We need the statement win over a really good Gibbons program.
“We need all of Raider Nation there and to remember the 7 p.m. start. Go ahead now and get off work early, plan for it, and be there. These kids need and deserve for you to be there supporting them. See you Friday night in Raleigh.”
Kickoff between the Raiders and Crusaders is slated for 7 p.m. Cardinal Gibbons also has a clear bag policy for fans.
TICKETS: Click here to purchase tickets ahead of Friday’s game.
