ROCKINGHAM — For the second time this football season, senior running back Jaheim Covington has been named the Official Richmond County Male Athlete of the Week presented by Moss Brothers Tires & Service.
Covington is coming off a career night during Richmond’s second-round playoff win over Hough High School. The tailback not only set a new personal high in rushing yards in a game, but he also broke the program’s all-time record for a rushing touchdown. This is Covington’s third career selection.
Athletic Profile
Age: 18
Birthday: Aug. 15, 2001
Year: Senior
Fall Sport: Football
Position: Running Back
Years on Varsity: 3 Years
Height & Weight: 5-9, 190 pounds
Experience: 8 Years
“SETTING RECORDS” WITH JAHEIM COVINGTON
The No. 1 seeded Raiders saw the No. 8 Huskies hang around for a majority of Friday’s second-round playoff game. It wasn’t until the third quarter Richmond broke the game open for good, starting with a red zone interception from senior safety Xavion Lindsey in the final 90 seconds of the period.
Two plays later at his own one-yard line, Covington took a handoff from junior quarterback Caleb Hood and split right. He was immediately met by defender Isaiah Brown-Murray, but shrugged him off. Two more would-be tacklers converged on Covington, but he spun out of that before stepping out of one last tackle attempt inside the 10-yard line.
Then the rest was history — literally. Covington broke loose down the home sideline and raced 99 yards for a score, the longest rushing touchdown in Richmond’s 47-year history.
On top of the highlight reel touchdown run, Covington finished the game with a career-high 204 yards on 11 carries (18.55 yards per attempt). He had a game-high three rushing touchdowns, the other two being of four and two yards, respectively.
Just prior to his long touchdown run, Covington dazzled fans with another powerful performance on a 55-yard burst. For the final handful of yards on the carry, Covington dragged a defender with him who had grabbed his facemask.
As he and the Raiders prepare to face No. 4 Myers Park High School in the quarterfinals this Friday, Covington is sitting on 22 rushing scores this season.
Raider Video Chats: Jaheim Covington, Official Richmond County Male Athlete of the Week
In his video, Covington talks about his career night and record-breaking run, Richmond’s win over Hough in the second round and what fans can expect against Myers Park.
Click photo for video.
