ROCKINGHAM — The old adage that defense wins championships could be a factor in Friday’s NCHSAA second round playoff showdown.
No. 1 Richmond Senior High School is asking fans to “pack the stands” for its 4A East matchup against No. 16 Leesville Road High School.
The stakes are raised a little bit more this week, as the top-seeded Raiders (10-1) continue their march toward a hopeful state championship against a tough Pride team.
It will be the first time ever the two programs have met on the gridiron.
Fresh off of its 52-14 mercy-rule win over No. 32 Jack Britt last week, Richmond and head coach Bryan Till have shifted their focus to a staunch Pride defense that has carried Leesville Road (8-2) all season.
Remaining focused and continuing to perfect the nuances of the game have been things the Raiders have worked on all week at practice.
“In the practices we have had, it was clear that our guys know this opponent is better,” Till said. “And many of them have had more questions about film, which obviously means they have been watching it.”
Leesville Road held off No. 17 Holly Springs in the first round and was the 4AA state runner up in 2019. Till acknowledged the Pride have had recent success, adding they “have been traditionally a good team for a while in the Raleigh area.”
“They have a good feeder system and their coach has had success at multiple stops along the way,” Till said of Ben Kolstad’s program. “They have a very good defense and run the ball well, two things that are big this time of year in the playoffs.”
Coaches Milton Swinnie and Joey English work with the linebackers at Wednesday’s practice ahead of facing Leesville Road.
One of the toughest defensive-minded teams the Raiders have faced this season, the Pride are only allowing 8.0 points per game. Leesville Road has registered two shutouts and has kept seven opponents to 10 points or less.
Led by UNC commit defensive end Beau Atkinson, the Pride gave up a season-high 17 points to Sanderson, and held both Cardinal Gibbons and Holly Springs to just 13 points.
“They are very sound and assignment-based as a defense,” Till commented. “They have great athletes, but they also compete with great effort play in and play out which is what makes them so good.
“We will have to match that effort and be better in execution than they are in order to win the game. The Cardinal Gibbons game doesn’t impact preparation at all, but it does give our guys a healthy respect for their team.”
There to contest the Pride’s defense will be a Richmond offense that is averaging 43 points per game this season. Richmond has scored at least 47 points in five of its last six games, and has a balanced attack of running and passing the football.
Senior quarterback Kellan Hood (purple) takes a snap during an offensive play at Tuesday’s practice.
Atkinson has collected a team-leading 20 tackles-for-loss and also leads the team with 7 quarterback sacks, one less than Richmond’s defensive end J.D. Lampley (8), who is committed to East Carolina.
Senior linebacker Tyler Lassiter is Leesville Road’s leading tackler (67), and linebackers Jacob Lail (49 tackles) and Dylan Cosey (43 tackles, 9 TFL) are also players to watch. Sophomore Braxton Lassiter has added 6 sacks.
A trio of Pride defenders have three interceptions this season — seniors Anthony Jemerson and Drew Thomas, and junior Josiah Gary. Senior Nasir Winston, a two-way player, has two of Leesville Road’s 14 total interceptions.
Richmond senior dual-threat quarterback Kellan Hood is coming off a career night after throwing for 275 yards and 4 touchdown passes (to three different receivers) against Jack Britt. He’s accounted for 5 total touchdowns in back-to-back games.
Senior wide receiver Cason Douglas is also returning after a big night against the Buccaneers, catching six passes for a career-high 142 yards and two scores.
Offensive line coach Kemp McSween and the front five have been working on techniques all week at practice to try and stunt the Pride’s defense.
Senior offensive linemen Braxton Butler (left) and Jordan Carlyle (right) work on drills during practice. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
Equally as impressive, the Richmond defense has collected 11 of its 13 interceptions in its last five games, and scooped up 10 fumble recoveries in that span. The Raiders had 6 positive turnovers against Jack Britt, tying their season high.
The Richmond defense will look to slow a Leesville Road offense averaging 28.5 points per game and led by junior quarterback John Mark Shaw.
While at practice on Wednesday, defensive coordinator James Johnson said it was imperative that the Raiders are able to stop the Pride’s running attack.
Junior D.J. Scott has rushed the ball 212 times for 1,364 yards and 16 touchdowns this season. Winston is the biggest threat in the receiving game, hauling in 44 receptions for 593 yards and 7 scores.
“No. 22 (Scott) and No. 6 (Winston) account for roughly 65% of their offense,” Till said. “We have to be effective in slowing those guys down in order to win.
“No. 5 (Atkinson) will play tight end, as well as defensive end. That adds another dimension to the offense when he is in because he is a good blocker as well as receiver.”
A win for Richmond would extend its streak to 9 games and put the Raiders into at least the third round of the playoffs for the third time during the Till era.
“We have to be up for the big moments,” Till closed. “The emotion of big games can really play with your focus. We should be excited about those moments and focus in on making the difference-making plays.”
Kickoff from Raider Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Tickets can be bought using GoFan.co.
