ROCKINGHAM — An aerial attack by the offense, coupled with a suffocating performance by the defense, fueled the Richmond Raider football team’s homecoming win Friday.
Racking up 451 yards of total offense compared to Union Pines’ 80 yards of total offense, the Raiders rolled to a 27-8 win.
It was the team’s fifth straight victory and it also boosted Richmond into the current lead in the Sandhills Athletic Conference standings.
Although junior quarterbacks Evan Hodges and Domonic Tillman combined for 392 passing yards, all of Richmond’s touchdowns came on the ground.
Sophomore running back Chance Crowder scored the first and final touchdowns, while Tillman and senior tailback Jordan Bostick each rushed into the end zone one time.
The Raiders erased a one-point deficit in the second quarter to take a 14-8 lead into halftime. Richmond’s defense shut out the Vikings from the second quarter on.
Senior linebacker Joe Parsons and junior linebacker Terande Spencer each recovered a fumble in or near the red zone in the second half, both of which led to Richmond’s two second-half scores.
Homecoming king and senior cornerback Keidreion Crump intercepted a pass near the end of the first half, the Raiders’ third defensive takeaway.
Richmond dominated the ball game despite being whistled for 16 penalties and 141 penalty yards.
Click here to read a full game story, complete with interviews of several players and coaches.
The Raiders (6-2, 4-0 SAC) will travel to Lee County High School (4-3, 1-2 SAC) next Friday for their final regular-season road game. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Below are photos of Friday’s homecoming win, taken by sports editor Kyle Pillar.