ROCKINGHAM — Several chances late in Friday’s game to go ahead or tie the score went unfulfilled for the Richmond Raider football team.
Falling to Pinecrest High School 20-12, the latest edition of the Sandhills Athletic Conference 4A rivalry was a defensive battle.
The Raiders trailed 14-6 at the half. Scoring a four-yard rushing score early in the second quarter was sophomore quarterback Domonic Tillman.
Junior linebacker K’Mauri Morgan intercepted a pass that was tipped by sophomore linebacker Terande Spencer to set up the scoring drive.
Richmond’s defense shut out the Patriots (5-0, 1-0 SAC) in the second half. A seven-yard passing score from Tillman to senior wide receiver Javian Drake cut the Raiders’ deficit to 14-12.
Pinecrest sealed the victory with a pick-six from Isaiah Sherian with 2:08 left in regulation. Richmond’s ensuing drive ended in a turnover on downs after a fourth-down pass attempt fell incomplete.
Earlier in the quarter, a botched Pinecrest punt gave Richmond possession near the red zone, but the Raiders were unable to convert on fourth down.
The Patriots used rushing scores from Jaylin Morgan and Zymire Spencer to score two first-half touchdowns.
Click here to read a full account of Friday’s loss, including quotes from head coach Bryan Till.
The Raiders (1-5, 1-1 SAC) will try to earn another conference win at Hoke County High School (2-4, 0-2 SAC) next Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Below are photos of Friday’s rivalry loss to Pinecrest taken by sports editor Kyle Pillar.
