ROCKINGHAM — The momentum belonged to the Richmond Raiders in the second half of Friday’s showdown with Pinecrest High School, which sparked a rally to quiet their neighbors from Moore County.
A series of plays in the final two quarters allowed Richmond to shut out the Patriots’ offense and edge its way to win 28-21 on Senior Night.
The Raiders scored three unanswered touchdowns and erased a 14-point halftime deficit to improve to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the Sandhills Athletic Conference.
Head coach Bryan Till said the pinnacle moment that shifted the game in Richmond’s favor was a fake punt on 4th-and-7 with 8:45 left in the third quarter. Senior Jaleak Gates took a handoff from fellow senior Gabe Altman and collected 17 yards and the first down.
That led to a 28-yard passing touchdown from senior Kellan Hood to senior Javares Stanback to make it a one-possession game. Till said the Raiders’ defense stopping Pinecrest on the subsequent drive was also a game-changing moment.
Tying the game at 21 points was a six-yard touchdown run by junior tailback Taye Spencer at the start of the fourth quarter.
Scoring the game-winning touchdown was senior J.D. Lampley, who blistered his way across the goal line from a yard out with 7:29 to play. Lampley’s score, who plays defensive end, was set up by a 70-yard dash by Hood.
With 61 seconds left on the clock, the Raiders were inside their own red zone and fumbled. A Pinecrest defender picked up the ball, but Hood made a heads-up play and stripped the ball loose.
Spencer landed on it to maintain possession and the Raiders ran out the clock to pick up a crucial 4A win over the Patriots.
Next will be a road trip to Hoke County High School (2-4, 0-2 SAC) on Friday, which will be another pivotal 4A game. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Below are photos taken by sports editor Kyle Pillar of Richmond’s win over Pinecrest on Friday.
