ROCKINGHAM – Fans of the Richmond Senior High School football program are not without their superstitions.
Many among Raider Nation have their favorite hat or shirt that they wear to every game. Some sit in the same seat, eat the same pre-game meal, or even take a lap around the stadium prior to the game for good luck. However, one numeric symbol has consistently brought fortune to the Raiders over the past four decades, and with any luck, the number “eight” may bring back the Magic once again.
Since the school opened in 1972, the Raider football program has managed to claim a state title in each year ending in an eight (1978, 1988, 1998 and 2008). However, there are not really too many lessons that current Richmond head coach Bryan Till and the 2018 varsity Raiders can learn from their predecessors. Each of the Raider teams that won on an “eight” year couldn’t be more different.
This week the Richmond Observer will take a look back at how the Richmond Senior High football program found a little magic during each of those title runs, beginning with 1978.
1978
Many high school football fans have grown accustomed to high-scoring offenses. These days, it is no longer all that surprising for a team to score in the 30s or 40s and still lose the game. That’s why looking at the stats may leave some people scratching their heads as to just how the 1978 Richmond Raiders won a state title.
The Raiders, then coached by Hal Stewart, only averaged 16 points per game, and were held to two touchdowns or less in 10 of their 14 competitions. They narrowly defeated Lumberton for the Southeastern Conference title taking the lead with just 11 seconds left in the game to earn a 14-7 victory.
Their playoff run nearly ended very early. In the first round, the Raider defense stopped Bertie County High School at the goal line on the final play of the game to secure a 6-2 victory. Mere inches separated the Raiders from a first round exit and an inevitable championship.
The championship game featured two teams that nobody really expected to be there. However, both Richmond and the West Charlotte Lions managed to survive and advance thanks largely to their remarkably successful defenses.
Entering the title bout, the Lions had shut out their previous seven straight opponents. The Raider defense had only managed to keep three of their opponents off of the scoreboard, but held seven others to a touchdown or less.
With only four post season rounds instead of the current five, championship games did not always reach the month of December. However, on the first of December in 1978, thousands of fans from Richmond and Mecklenburg counties paid $2.50 for a ticket and filed into Raider Stadium to watch the highly anticipated title game.
The Raiders only picked up 67 yards of total offense against the Lions, but thanks to another great defensive performance, Richmond defeated West Charlotte 14-0 to win the school’s first ever state title.
The Raiders ended the season allowing an average of only 6.21 points per game, including the title game shutout.
Several members of this stellar defense went on to earn all-conference honors including Joe Bowersock, Billy Smith, John Ledbetter, Chuck Bishop and Perry Williams. Jeff Holiday, Willie Thomas, Robert McSween, Mike Rush, Jerry Summers and Rocky Norton were all honorable mentions.
Bishop, who also played quarterback, found Julius Henry for a 27-yard touchdown pass in the first half. Holiday recovered a fumble in the end zone late in the game to secure the win.
Williams went on to play football and run track at North Carolina State University, and was later drafted by the New York Giants. He was a part of the 1987 Giants team that won Super Bowl XXI over the Denver Broncos.
The series continues Wednesday, as we examine the 1988 state title season and what made that team so special.
