RAEFORD — The Sandhills Athletic Conference held its annual football media day at Hoke County High School on Sunday.
Representing Richmond Senior High School at this year’s event were seniors Johnny Lunceford (center) and Jacoby Martin (defensive end).
The Raiders’ coaching staff was well-represented by head coach Bryan Till, defensive coordinator Chris Campolieta, offensive coordinator Patrick Hope and wide receivers coach John Rich. Athletic director Mike Way was also part of the media day.
Chad Hill, Union Pines High School’s AD and the president of the SAC, welcomed everyone to the event. That was followed by a steak dinner and blessing by Pastor Paul Lemmond of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Six of the seven SAC programs had two player representatives, while Southern Lee High School brought four players.
While the players met with the media on the field, the coaches and ADs held a meeting led by Hill. Among the discussion points were game day logistics, pre-game handshake procedures, chain gang limitations and game film sharing.
To cap the event, the coaches and media each voted in separate polls to choose preseason favorites.
For the first time in several years, the Raiders did not land in first place in either poll.
Pinecrest High School won the coaches poll (four first-place votes) and the media tally (seven first-place votes).
Richmond landed in a second-place tie with Scotland High School in the media poll, as each program received one of the nine total first-place votes cast. The Raiders were tabbed the third-place team in the coaches poll behind Scotland (three first-place votes).
Two scrimmages are scheduled this week for Richmond. The first is at home against Cape Fear High School on Wednesday (9 a.m.), followed by a meeting with Pine Forest at Douglas Byrd on Friday (6 p.m.).
The Raiders open their season at home on Aug. 18 against non-conference Seventy-First High School. The Richmond Observer will publish a season preview in the coming week.
Below are photos from Sunday’s Sandhills Athletic Conference football media day taken by sports editor Kyle Pillar.
