ROCKINGHAM — The green glow of Raider Stadium will be lit up on Black Friday for the first time since the 2019 season later this week.
Thanksgiving week football returns to Richmond County as the No. 4 Raiders and head coach Brad Denson look to keep their NCHSAA 4A East playoff run alive in the third round.
Following a statement win over now-eliminated Clayton High School in round two, Richmond is aiming to do the same thing against No. 5 Rolesville High School.
Set to host the Rams and head coach Ranier Rackley in the County, Denson put it plainly what his expectations are for Raider Nation — “PACK THE STANDS” has been the mantra used by the program on social media.
Even though it’s Black Friday, Richmond is calling on its fans to participate in a “green out.”
“It’s Thanksgiving weekend and Black Friday in Raider Stadium,” Denson said. “The best thing other than that is playing the Friday after Thanksgiving weekend and that’s what we are striving to do.
“A third round game in Raider Stadium is special. It’s always a special place to play, but this time of year, there is just something extra about it. I have been around here for a really long time now, and some of the things I have seen transpire on that field on this exact weekend are unexplainable.
“All we have wanted all year is a chance,” Denson added. “A chance to play this game together one more time. We have that chance Friday night and I expect our guys to be ready to go.”
That opportunity to play comes after a 24-13 victory over Clayton last week, which was favored by several outlets across the state.
While the sentiment may be the same this week despite Richmond’s continued dominance on both sides of the ball, the Raiders aren’t concerned with the chatter. All of the outside doubt cast on the County kids hasn’t fazed Richmond between the ears or on the field.
Denson noted how the Raiders have proven themselves week after week and shared how they intend to get to December football again.
“The biggest thing that our guys have proven is their grittiness,” Denson explained. “Their ability to just keep going and stay the course and trust what we were doing is a testament to them. From day one, they have just been unreal.
“Obviously, there have been ups and downs with some of the guys, but overall, they have grown so much. No one has given us a chance this year, and that’s fine with us. These guys and this staff know what we have and believe in what we are doing. We don’t have a chance this week either, but that is why you play the game. I will take our guys, their efforts, their demeanor and the people they are any day.
“We will continue to do all we can to prove people wrong,” Denson continued. “It was a fluke early on playing somewhat good, then we got into our so-called ‘weak conference.’ We kept finding ways to win, and now here we are still plugging away on Thanksgiving weekend. This staff has worked tirelessly for weeks, and we will continue to do that for these guys. It’s another chance for us to take the field as a team and we are embracing every bit of that.”
The next chess piece the Raiders hope to remove from the board are the Rolesville Rams in the Round of 16. In a game where the Nos. 4 and 5 seedings can be thrown out the window, both teams enter Friday’s showdown on extended winning streaks.
Richmond (10-2) has rattled off nine consecutive wins, while Rolesville (11-1) has won its last 10 games.
Many of the components that have made the Rams successful the Raiders have overcome during the regular and postseasons. And what Rolesville has, Denson says Richmond does, too.
“They have athletes, they have size, they have speed and they have great coaches,” Denson said. “Add all of those up, and if they play somewhat together, you get a really good football team.
“That’s Rolesville, but they have to come to Raider Stadium and play us. We have some really good football players as well. We have to play great, but again, all we have wanted all year is a chance.”
The Rams have relied on a tandem of players to wrack up a combined 53 touchdowns this season — senior quarterback Braden Atkinson (38 passing TDs) and senior running back De’Von Thomas (15 rushing TDs).
A Mercer University commit, Atkinson is a pocket passer who doesn’t present a scramble threat on the ground. He’s thrown 186-for-265 this season for 2,704 passing yards and just three interceptions.
Richmond’s defense, which is holding teams to 9.5 points per game in the postseason, will look to limit opportunities to senior wide receiver Jaedon Alford and junior wideout Gavin Waddell, the opponent’s top two targets.
Waddell, a Division I prospect, has caught a team-high 49 passes for 764 yards and 10 scores, while Alford, an Elon University commit, has a team-high 12 receiving touchdowns on 39 catches and 527 yards.
Out of the backfield, Thomas carries with him several Division I offers to go with his 702 rushing yards on 86 carries. He’s averaging 70.2 yards per game and has collected three 100+ yard performances this season.
Another rushing threat is sophomore Amir Brown, who has added nine rushing touchdowns this season.
While Richmond’s offense has been successful in finding the end zone this postseason, the level of comfortability has been raised higher because of the work of the defense and coordinator Chris Campolieta.
“On offense, they have a QB who throws a great ball, but they also have a freight train of a running back that will come downhill at you as well,” Denson said. “We have to key certain guys and make others beat us.
“And we need to get some pressure on the QB and make him feel uncomfortable. It would be huge if we can create a turnover or two. We have rode our defense all year, and we will continue to do that this week. If we play assignment football, get some pressure, and tackle well, then we have a chance.”
The Raiders have continued to split series between junior quarterbacks Evan Hodges and Domonic Tillman during the postseason, finding success with both. Using playmaker wide receivers like juniors Jayden Hamilton and Keonta Pegeus, Richmond has created space and long scoring plays.
A host of running backs, including seniors Jordan Bostick and Javion Smith, along with sophomore Chance Crowder, have also given the Raiders a lot of explosive energy. Hamilton and Pegues are also shifty runners who have rushed for scores in the playoffs.
Richmond, which is averaging 33.0 points per game this postseason, will go against a Rams 4-3 defense that is allowing just 15.0 points against. In the second round, Rolesville limited Pinecrest High School to just eight points.
The Rams’ leading tacklers are senior defensive back Jovon Wright (60 tackles), sophomore defensive back Marquis Bryant (46 tackles) and senior defensive end Jayden Fry (45 tackles).
Leading the team in tackles-for-loss are senior defensive tackle Cameron Harrison (11.0), Fry (9.5) and former University of North Carolina commit Zavion Griffin-Haynes (9.0).
Across their dozen games this season, the Rams have made eight interceptions and recovered eight fumbles.
“They are big, fast, and physical on defense,” Denson noted. “They are based out of a four-man front with man coverage on the perimeter, and they have the guys to do it, too.
“Again, we have to be aware of blitzes, execute assignments, and not have turnovers,” he closed. “As in every other week, our plan is to get the playmakers the ball in space and let them go be them.”
Kickoff between No. 4 Richmond and No. 5 Rolesville is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the gate (cash) or online at GoFan.co.
The Richmond Observer will continue its coverage of the Raider football team’s preparation for Friday’s game throughout the week.
