ROCKINGHAM — When the green and gold lights flash over Raider Stadium on Friday to open the first round of the 4A playoffs, it will be the final start to the postseason for nearly two dozen Richmond Raider football players.
Many of the seniors have been members of the program since their freshman year, a couple are first-year guys, but the majority of them have contributed at the varsity level in various roles for two or three years.
A run out of the tunnel past the Mr. Raider statue and through the banner and the smoke will be the first of five hopeful home playoff games for the No. 1 Raiders, should their goal of reaching the state championship come true.
Not taking anything for granted, all of the Raiders hope to defeat No. 32 Jack Britt High School and move onto the second round.
Some of the seniors on this year’s team were part of the 2019 roster as sophomores that made it to the 4AA Western Regional Championship. They hope to replicate that in the 4A East this fall, and bring home the program’s eighth state championship title.
As part of its playoff coverage, the Richmond Observer met with 12 senior players from various position groups to talk about their upcoming playoff run.
The players’ responses are listed below in alphabetical order by last name.
Gabe Altman, linebacker
ROSports: This is a special group of seniors that has been through a lot in the last couple of years. Talk about this group and what makes you guys state champion contenders.
“With everything we’ve been through, we haven’t lost focus on the end goal. And that’s shown in how we play the game and how we never give up.
“We’ve got a lot of good players on this team who play both ways, and that will help us contend. At practice we get a lot of good looks and our coaches put together a great game plan to help us be successful.”
Mikey Baldwin, linebacker
ROSports: The defense has been a hard-hitting group this season. How are you guys carrying that style of play over into the playoffs?
“We are going to continue to improve and get better on defense no matter what. We still have some small things we’re working on, but our coaches are helping us.
”The thing we want to continue to do is hit hard and make plays. I feel like we have the best defense in the state and that we can win the state championship.”
Justin Colon, offensive lineman
ROSports: This team has been resilient this season with a lot of guys playing different roles. How will that help the Raiders in the postseason?
“We are a team full of warriors and there have been a lot of tough situations this season where we proved people wrong time and time again.
“This team has a lot of heart, and that does a lot for us. If we stay focused, execute our assignments and do what our coaches tell us to do, we should win a lot of playoff games.”
Jaiden Covington, offensive lineman
ROSports: The offensive line is the unsung heroes of the offense. Talk about the group’s preparation and what makes you guys work so well together.
“Coach (Kemp) McSween gets us right before every game. We were told early on that we can take whatever is thrown at us, and all five of us are aware that if we break down, the offense can break down around us.
“We’re the most veteran group on the team. A bunch of us played AAU and middle school football together and that has really helped us get the job done this season.”
Cason Douglas, wide receiver
ROSports: You’ve grown into a bigger role in the offense and special teams unit this year. Talk about your progression and what you hope to accomplish as a team.
“I’ve been progressing each week and learning as much as I can. I really try to listen to what the coaches are telling me to do, and that has made a difference in my play this year.
“In the playoffs I hope that I can help where the mismatches are and do everything I can to the best of my ability. The team is beyond ready for the show to start on Friday.”
Chris Ellerbe, wide receiver
ROSports: How excited are you for the playoffs and what about this receiving corps will help the Raiders win playoff games?
“I’m really excited because we’ve worked so hard to get better as a team since COVID started. It’s taken a lot to get where we are today but we are ready for the playoffs.
“The wide receivers can help the offense by not just being focused on catching the ball, but working hard on our blocks to help create big plays.”
Kellan Hood, quarterback
ROSports: Coach Bryan Till has talked about there being a chip on the team’s shoulder. Explain that and how that motivates the Raiders as the playoffs start.
“It definitely motivates us because people are still doubting us. We are the No. 1 seeded team and there are already people trying to bring us down and saying we’ll be knocked out of the playoffs quickly.
“That makes us want to prove them wrong even more. We just have to stay focused, stick to the game plan and play together through whatever adversity we face the next six weeks. If we can do that, we hopefully can get that state championship W.”
Thomas Kvapil, wide receiver
ROSports: As a foreign exchange student, this is your first playoff run with the team. How excited are you to be a part of the Raider Magic?
“I’m looking forward to earning that state championship ring. This has been such a huge experience as a foreign exchange student to even have the opportunity to be a part of this big family.
“I know the whole team is looking forward to the games and making a big run against big schools and big names. I think we’ll do great and go Raiders!”
J.D. Lampley, defensive lineman
ROSports: Senior leadership is vital, especially during a playoff run. How are you and the rest of the seniors shouldering that responsibility and helping the younger guys in the playoffs?
“A lot of us have been playing together since we were little with Coach Errol Hood and that has really helped us become a strong unit of players and leaders. Collectively as seniors, if we practice hard and set the standard high, the younger guys see that example and will hopefully follow it.
“We just want to win for six weeks and get that state championship. It will take leadership from the seniors and the effort of every player on the team to accomplish that.”
Kelay Lindsey, defensive back
ROSports: A lot of people wrote the Raiders off this year. How have you guys remained competitive and consistent, especially in the secondary?
“We’re not really focused on turnovers as much as doing our job on every play. If we do our job, the turnovers come naturally. Our coaches always put us in the right position, especially Coach (James) Johnson as defensive coordinator.
“The secondary has a great off-field friendship and that keeps us connected on the field, which turns into big plays.”
Alex Medina, kicker
ROSports: The kicking game is important, so how do you hope to make an impact during your first playoff experience?
“I’m really looking forward to the environment of a home playoff game. I’ve been in the crowd during the playoffs, but it should be cool to see it from the field the first time.
“Kicking is an important role that many people don’t think about. A game could come down to one kick, whether it’s an extra point or a field goal, or keeping teams pinned deep on kickoffs.”
Trey Thomas, wide receiver
ROSports: You’ve been with the Raiders for four years. What has that experience been like and what are the team’s goals for the next couple of weeks?
“It’s been a great experience being a Raider football player. I’ve gotten to know what the team’s level of commitment feels like and being around everyone has been a lot of fun.
“We are going to take the playoffs one game at a time, and focus on doing our part to win games and hopefully win state.”
Kickoff between No. 1 Richmond and No. 32 Jack Britt is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Raider Stadium. Follow the Richmond Observer on Twitter @ROSports_ for live updates.
