SOUTHERN PINES — The Richmond County Ninth Grade Academy football team earned its third-straight win to open the season on Thursday.
Playing up US Highway 1 in Southern Pines as the only one of the three Richmond programs in action last week, the freshman Raiders mounted a come-from-behind victory to hand Pinecrest High School a 14-13 loss.
The victory came after the Raiders swept Cardinal Gibbons High School in back-to-back weeks. In its season opener two weeks ago, the freshman team scored 26 unanswered points to defeat the Crusaders.
Richmond (3-0) and head coach Taivon Jones saw the Patriots score a first-quarter touchdown and add the extra point to take a 7-0 lead. But on the ensuing kickoff, Brandon Askins responded with a kickoff return for a touchdown. Teammate Irwin Campos tacked on the PAT to knot the game.
Again, the Patriots would go up another score in the second quarter, but the missed extra point attempt would prove to be the difference maker. The 13-7 Pinecrest lead would hold until halftime.
In the third quarter, quarterback Emoni McBride would throw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Cincere Wall to knot the game. Campos again delivered the PAT, seeing the ball split the uprights and give the Raiders a one-point lead.
Both teams played a scoreless fourth quarter and the McBride hook up with Wall would solidify the Raiders’ win.
Richmond and Pinecrest will meet again this week, playing at RCNGA on Thursday. Kickoff between the two squads is set for 4 p.m.
Head coach Taivon Jones contributed information used in this article. To submit local scores, email sports editor Kyle Pillar at kpillar@richmondobserver.com.
