ROCKINGHAM – In a battle of unbeatens, the Richmond Senior High School junior varsity football team prevailed Thursday over Jack Britt High School 27-8 despite four turnovers.
Richmond was able to get on the board first when freshman kicker Trevor Moss kicked a field goal on their second possession of the game to make the score 3-0. Sophomore running back Tashawn Wall followed that up with a 7-yard touchdown run to put Richmond up 10-0. Wall’s scoring play was set up by a 12-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Noah Altman to freshman wide receiver Jakolbe Baldwin.
With just under ten minutes to go before halftime, however, Altman threw an interception to Jack Britt that was the Raiders’ first turnover off the night. The Buccaneers were able to drive down the field, score and convert the two-point conversion to make it 10-8. That would be the last time Jack Britt would get in the end zone.
The Raiders would fumble three times in the rest of the game, two of which by sophomore running back LaCyruss Ellerbe, but the Bucs weren’t able to capitalize on points due to Richmond’s pressuring defense.
“Our defense takes pride in stopping offenses,” head coach Patrick Hope said. “They’re upset when teams gain yards and score on them. It took a turnover and a trick play to set up their only score. It is hard to score on our defense, especially when having to go 80-plus yards.”
With the Raiders up 10-8, coming out of halftime Altman took over the next drive, rushing for 42 yards overall including the scoring run to put Richmond up 17-8. Moss would later tack on a 37-yard field goal to up the Raiders’ lead to 20-8.
Sophomore running back Azariah Roseboro would later finish off the Bucs with a fourth quarter 6-yard touchdown run to end the game at 27-8.
Despite the four turnovers, Hope was impressed with how his team didn’t give up and learned from their mistakes.
“I told the defense that the offense owed them after the first three giveaways and we responded only having one in the second half,” Hope said. “Our O-line took over in the second half offensively with great blocking and protection.”
Jack Britt (4-1, 1-1 SAC) was Richmond’s toughest opponent so far other than Wake Forest Hope noted. And he knew it would take all three phases of the game playing well to get a win.
“I felt like it would be an emotional game, and it was,” he said. “But when we settled down, it became business as usual.”
Richmond (6-0, 3-0 SAC) will be at home again next Thursday when they host Hoke County High School at 6:30 p.m. at Raider Stadium.
