ROCKINGHAM — For the first time since the 2020-21 spring season, the Richmond Senior High School junior varsity football team started its new campaign with a win Thursday.
Hosting John T. Hoggard High School for their season opener, the JV Raiders used three scores and a shutout in the first half to hold off a comeback attempt by the JV Vikings in the final two quarters.
Racking up the points on three passing scores, one rushing touchdown and a defensive score, the JV Raiders earned a 34-23 victory.
Returning for his second season in his second stint as the JV head coach, Patrick Hope expressed his satisfaction with the entire team’s play, as well as being able to find success from several players at different positions.
“I’m very impressed with the way we competed in a long, hot football game,” Hope said. “There were a lot of positives to take away from all three phases of the game.
“We distributed the ball to a lot of people, we completed passes to four different receivers and we were able to get carries from three running backs.
“The defense forced three turnovers in addition to slowing down Hoggard's run game,” he added. “Jazari Dawkins had an interception and a scoop and score off of a fumble, and Julius Bowden had an interception that set up Donovan Jones' touchdown run.”
Freshman quarterback Damarion Allen finished the night with three touchdown passes to three different receivers — freshmen Josiah Gilbert, Cameron Everett and Camron Coley.
On the ground, sophomore running back Donovan Jones found the end zone for the first time this fall, and freshman Jazari Dawkins recovered a fumble and returned it to the house.
Richmond took a 12-0 lead in the first quarter, starting with Allen connecting with Gilbert through the air for the first score on the team’s opening drive. After the missed point-after attempt, Richmond led 6-0.
Quickly getting the ball back, the JV Raiders marched to the end zone on their second possession of the game. Allen scrambled out of the backfield on a broken play to find Everett alone in the end zone.
Richmond attempted the two-point try but was kept out, keeping the score 12-0.
The final score of the half belonged to the JV Raiders when Allen capped his debut performance with a strike over the middle of the field to Coley for a passing touchdown. Freshman kicker Nate Erwin split the uprights to give Richmond a 19-0 lead at halftime.
Hoggard (0-1) finally got on the board with a rushing touchdown in the third quarter and was successful on the two-point conversion to make it a 19-8 lead for Richmond.
Five different scoring plays took place in the fourth quarter, starting with a four-yard rushing touchdown from Jones. Erwin was good again on the PAT to maintain a double-digit lead 26-8.
Hoggard cut its deficit again with a passing touchdown and followed that with a safety on defense.
Leading 26-17, Richmond got some late insurance when Dawkins picked up a fumble recovery and added six points on a scoop-and-score. Freshman Dereon Wiley ran in the successful two-point try to increase the lead to 34-16.
Late in the game, Hoggard scored a desperation touchdown and added the PAT. But it was too little, too late as Richmond ran out the clock to preserve the 11-point victory.
The JV Raiders (1-0) will travel for the first time this season when they visit longtime rival Scotland High School (0-0) Thursday. Kickoff for the non-conference game at Pate Stadium is slated for 6:30 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: Game information provided by head coach Patrick Hope.
