ROCKINGHAM – The first season of a new era of Richmond Raider football came to a close Friday.
In head coach Brad Denson’s first season leading the program, the No. 4 Raiders made it to the third round of the NCHSAA 4A East state playoffs.
Running into an aerial No. 5 Rolesville High School, the Raiders weren’t able to advance and suffered a 44-6 defeat.
Denson said following the game that being “outplayed” by Rolesville and the Raiders not keeping their composure in check during the first half led to the loss.
Trailing by six scores in the third quarter, Richmond got on the board. A direct snap to running back Chance Crowder was handed off to receiver Keonta Pegues, who threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jayden Hamilton.
Click here to read a full game story.
Richmond’s season came to an end with a 10-3 record and earned its first Sandhills Athletic Conference championship since 2021.
The team also snapped a playoff victory drought which also spanned back to the 2021 season.
The All-Conference team will be published when it’s released.
Below are photos of Friday’s third round playoff game, taken by sports editor Kyle Pillar.
