ROCKINGHAM — There are just 27.5 miles that separate Richmond Senior and Pinecrest high schools, and that close proximity creates a unique football rivalry between the Raiders and Patriots.
The latest installment of the two undefeated Sandhill Athletic Conference teams will play out on Friday in Rockingham, as head coach Bryan Till and the Raiders (5-0, 1-0 SAC) host the Patriots (5-0, 1-0 SAC).
It’s the third time this season that No. 2 Richmond (Maxpreps.com rankings) will contest another ranked team, but Pinecrest’s mark as the No. 16 team is the lowest ranked opponent the Raiders have faced (No. 8 Cardinal Gibbons and No. 14 Butler).
Both teams are coming off odd Week 6 games, seeing the Raiders play just one half of football because of Mother Nature against Purnell Swett High School, which is the second time this season Richmond lost an entire half of football.
Pinecrest and head coach Chris Metzger have perhaps the bigger challenge, as the Patriots will make a road trip and play a highly-explosive RIchmond team just four days after bruising their way pat SAC opponent Seventy-First High School 20-6 on Monday after their game last Friday was rescheduled.
“Both of our teams had different things play out, but we’re both undefeated and that should draw in a big crown and some excitement,” Till said. “I think the shortened week for them has to impact from a preparation standpoint. Their bodies should be healthy.
“But I know their coaches should have prepared them for us ahead of time with film,” he added. “Wednesday was really their only chance to have their best practice day (on the field).”
All extra storylines aside, on paper, Friday’s meeting hints at a defensive showdown between the two Sandhills schools. The Richmond defense has recorded three shutouts in five games, and the Patriots have held each of their five opponents to 14 or fewer points. Richmond is averaging giving up 8.4 points per game, while Pinecrest is allowing 9.8 points per four quarters.
Till noted that the low scoring against the Patriots ”is a big deal” and that Metzger’s team runs a “very sound and solid defense.” However, he added the Raiders are prepared to do what’s necessary to move the ball into the end zone.
In getting his defense ready this week, Till said film study has been key in understanding what the Patriots do offensively. Pinecrest operates a pro-style split back offense that sees most of the snaps come from under center, which Till noted as an “easy way to hide the ball.”
The Patriots’ identity this season has been to run the ball downhill, using a swarm of rotating tailbacks to assist junior quarterback Ben Garbark. Senior running back Nick Boulanger (389 yards, four touchdowns) and Anthony Martin (221 yards, four scores) are the primary backs who flank Garbark in the back field.
But the Raider defense can also expect to see Luke Wolters and Logan Leviner get a considerable number of reps out of the backfield. Someone Richmond is also gearing up for is senior Zyheem Kelly, who Till called the Patriots’ “dog.”
Kelly is a two-way player who takes reps at running back, wide receiver, cornerback and safety. Through five games this season, Kelly has 97 rushing yards and a score, is the team’s leading receiver with seven receptions and three receiving touchdowns, and has three interceptions, just one behind team leader Georgio Najm.
“Their offense has a little bit of everything,” Till explained. “They have a good running game with a lot of moving parts, and (Garbark) is a good quarterback who can run and throw. Because they run so much, the play-action works for big plays because they don’t throw it as often.
“Pinecrest isn’t afraid to run trick plays either,” he added. “Against Seventy-First, both teams had several fourth-down stops. We expect them to be run heavy, and it’s our job to not allow them to sustain long drives down the field.”
Till compared the Patriots’ offense to that of Butler, who Richmond defeated 42-14 at home during Week 3. He said Pinecrest runs a small number of formations with a high volume of variations and motions that the Raiders have spent the week preparing for. He expects to see several sets with two tailbacks behind the line of scrimmage, and said wide receiver Braxton Barber (five catches, two touchdowns) is also under his defense’s microscope.
Looking to continue leading the defense will be seniors Dereck Barringer (26 tackles), Dre Bethea and Gavin Russell (24 tackles each) and junior CJ Tillman (21 tackles and team-leading nine tackles for loss). Tillman got the green light to play Friday after being sidelined last week with a concussion.
From a “rivalry” standpoint, the numbers favor the Raiders, as they have won the previous five games, and 38 of the 41 all-time meetings. During the five-game stretch, the Raiders have outscored the Patriots 157-70 (+87 points), and are coming off a 31-0 shutout of Pinecrest last season.
While both offenses have been impressive in the early going, the Raiders’ starting 11 has been much more explosive. Richmond has scored 203 points in its first five games, but is missing an entire game due to two games ending early (Purnell Swett and Anson high school). The Patriots’ offense is slightly ahead with 205 points scored and the Raiders’ defense has allowed an SAC-low 44 points.
The ground game proved to be the difference maker a week ago against Purnell Swett, seeing the Raiders use three players to score four total rushing touchdowns. Junior quarterback Caleb Hood will look to get the throwing game back in action after completing just three balls on four attempts in Week 6. Returning to the mix will be junior wide receiver Jakolbe Baldwin, who was finishing nursing an ankle injury last week. Fellow junior wideout and leading receiver Dalton Stroman (14 receptions, 404 yards and six TDs) will look to extend his touchdown streak to six games.
“We’re hoping to get back to a full game schedule,” Till closed with a grin. Kickoff against the Patriots is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday inside Raider Stadium. Richmond County Schools’ three middle school football teams will also be recognized at halftime.
Follow your real home for all Raider and Lady Raider athletics on Twitter at @ROSports_ for live in-game updates, interviews and more.
