ROCKINGHAM — Both staples at inside linebacker the past several seasons for the Richmond Senior High School football team, K’Mauri Morgan and Joe Parsons will wear the Raider diamond together in late December.
As the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state playoffs are set to begin later this week, the Raiders are hoping to make a run at the 4A state title.
Regardless of what happens in the postseason, the two senior linebackers will line up side by side one final time a few days before Christmas.
Morgan and Parsons were selected to play in the North Carolina Coaches Association East-West All-Star Game, an annual senior showcase game of the best players from across the state.
Brad Denson, Richmond’s head coach, had the pleasure of informing both players of their selection.
“It’s a huge honor for both of those guys,” Denson said. “To be named to the East-West game at inside linebacker shows what we’ve got on our team. We knew the strength was going to be our box and both guys are a big part of that.
“Since it’s played in December now, it’s a good thing for both of them,” he added. “They’ll both be in shape and good to go to represent our program. And I hope we get to play all the way up until that game happens.”
The Richmond Raider football program is no stranger to participating in the East-West game, having sent more than 90 players to the All-Star game since the school opened in 1972.
Most recently to represent Richmond have been defensive lineman Jacoby Martin (East Carolina, 2024), offensive lineman Tyson Holloway (2023) and offensive lineman Jaiden Covington (2022).
Current athletic director James Johnson will also be on the sidelines for the East team. When the coaching rosters were made, he was still the defensive coordinator at Pinecrest High School.
Morgan, who has been a varsity starter since his sophomore year, shared the emotional response he had when he heard the news.
“Coach Denson announced it at the end of practice one day,” Morgan explained. “When he told us I was happy and I couldn’t stop smiling.”
A four-year varsity starter and often called “the heart of the defense,” Parsons echoed Morgan and said it’s a testament to the dominance of Richmond’s linebacking group.
“I was extremely excited because I think it will help me out tremendously with getting recruited,” Parsons said. “It was a good feeling to know that people across the state are recognizing how good the Richmond Raider linebackers really are.”
Through the regular season, Morgan and Parsons have led the Richmond defense through their vocal leadership and physical play in the box. The Raiders finished with an 8-2 record and are on a current seven-game winnings streak.
Together with the rest of the defense, the two interior linebackers helped Richmond win the Sandhills Athletic Conference championship while limiting opponents to just 15.2 points per game.
At 6-0, 215 pounds, Morgan ended the regular season as the team’s leader in total tackles with 118 (11.8 tackles per game). That number also ranks him tied for seventh in the 4A East with Zion Wright (New Bern High School).
Second for the Raiders with 17.0 tackles-for-loss, Morgan also ranks in the top 10 in the 4A East. His single-game season high was 18 total tackles in the season opener against Seventy-First High School and he collected 17 total tackles twice (Pinecrest and Lee County high schools).
Morgan’s four quarterback sacks against Lee County were also a season best, which accounted for most of his six QB drag downs this season.
In helping him reach this milestone, Morgan gave credit to the Richmond coaching staff, specifically inside linebacker coach Spencer Shaw. He also hopes the all-star game will help him get recruited.
“Our coaches have helped us by making sure we stay consistent in what we do and continue to give it our all through everything we do,” Morgan explained. “They also correct us every time we make a mistake and we try our best to take any advice we can.”
“I hope to get looked at by different colleges so that I will have the opportunity to continue to play and make my family proud,” he continued. “And one day I hope to be able to take care of them.”
Parsons, who stands at 6-2, 250-pounds, is the defense’s play caller and has become a trusted leader on Friday nights. His 84 total tackles were third on the team this season (8.4 tackles per game), and ranked him tied for 23rd in the 4A East.
With 7.0 tackles-for-loss, Parsons recorded three quarterback sacks — one each against Butler, Southern Lee and Lee County high schools. Parsons’ best individual game performances were 15 tackles (Seventy-First), 13 tackles (Butler High School) and 10 tackles (Union Pines High School).
Known for his physical play until the final whistle, Parsons has forced three fumbles this fall, the final two of which at Lee County and against Scotland High School resulted in touchdowns for the offense. He also recovered one fumble in a homecoming win over Union Pines.
Parsons explained that getting to wear the Raider diamond one final time is a special achievement in his career. He also said his grittiness on the football field is what helped him get selected.
“I will represent Richmond Senior wearing the same green and gold helmet I play in every Friday night with the Raider diamond on the side,” Parsons said. “As I go through practice and the game everything will be done to the best of my ability, competing with the other guys as I have already played against several of them this season. I will show them that Richmond County plays a different kind of football.
“I think that my hard work over the last four years is what got me to this point,” he added. “I have been through several injuries but never quit working to get better. I also think how I play the game has helped get me to this point since I play with a tough and gritty mindset at all times.”
With their focus on the upcoming playoffs, both Morgan and Parsons acknowledged the special opportunity they’ll have a few days before the Christmas holiday.
“It’s great being able to share a moment like this with Joe,” Morgan said. “That’s my boy and we’ve been playing beside each other for three years now, so it’s fun knowing that we can go ball out together one last time.”
“Being able to play alongside K’Mauri will make the whole experience better,” Parsons shared. “Me and him have been playing together for a long time and at the varsity level.
“It will be great to play with someone who is like a brother to me, and I know he will give everything he’s got, as this will probably be the last time me and him play side by side.”
The East team will be coached by Beau Williams (Jacksonville High School). Complete rosters were not available at the time of publication.
The 2024-25 East-West All-Star Game will be played Sunday, Dec. 22, at Grimsley High School in Greensboro. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Jamieson Stadium.
Later Sunday, the NCHSAA is set to release its final playoff brackets. Richmond (8-2) is guaranteed a first round home game Friday. The Richmond Observer will publish details when they’re made available.
