MAXTON, N.C. – The Richmond Senior High School junior varsity Raiders football team ended its first Sandhills Athletic Conference game the same way they entered it: undefeated.
In their most dominating performance of the season, the Raiders (4-0, 1-0 SAC) steamrolled Purnell Swett High School (0-1, 0-1 SAC) 49 – 0. Richmond scored on its first four possessions of the game, and also utilized the special teams unit to score on a blocked punt in the first .
Right out of the gates it was Richmond that controlled the tempo of the game. After recovering the opening onside kick, the Raiders drove 53 yards, finishing with a 5-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back LaCyruss Ellerbe for the first score of the game. Freshman kicker Trevor Moss tacked on the point after to give Richmond an early 7-0 lead.
On the Raiders’ ensuing offensive possession, it was sophomore quarterback Noah Altman who connected with wide open freshman wide receiver Jakolbe Baldwin on a 53-yard strike for the second touchdown of the night. Moss connected on all seven of his PAT attempts.
In the second quarter, freshman wide receiver Tremel Jones scored on an end-around running play, in which he used his speed to gain the edge around Purnell Swett’s defense, giving the Raiders a 21-0. After forcing Purnell Swett into a punting situation, sophomore defensive lineman Kyjuan Wall blocked the punt in the end zone, which was in turn recovered by freshman teammate CJ Tillman for the team’s fourth score.
To close out the first half’s barrage, Ellerbe subsequently scored his second touchdown of the night on a 30-yards dash. Heading into the locker room, head coach Patrick Hope’s team led 35-0.
After halftime, sophomore running back Azariah Roseboro led the rushing attack, converting from one yard out to begin the running clock. Hope said a multitude of reserve players were able to enter the game, and ended the night’s scoring with a fourth-quarter touchdown run.
Hope was very pleased to see his team come out scoring early after a bye week, and to see his offense, defense and special teams click on all cylinders.
“I felt like we took care of business after a bye week and made a statement in this game,” Hope said Thursday night. “Our defense was very aggressive and played hard to keep them backed up.
“We were able to get a lot of guys touches on offense and try some new things. I was also pleased to see special teams contribute to the win.”
The JV Raiders will look to keep their winning streak alive next week when they travel to Pinecrest High School next Thursday to play the Patriots at 6:30 p.m. The Raiders varsity football team opens SAC play Friday night at home, hosting Purnell Swett at 7:30 p.m.
