ROCKINGHAM — There were a lot of splash plays made this season by the Richmond Senior High School football team, especially on offense.
The high-energy offense called by head coach Brad Denson electrified Raider Fans and lit up the scoreboard until the team’s run at a state title ended in the third round of the state playoffs last week.
While a plethora of playmakers contributed to that effort — from the five offensive linemen to the talented corps of wide receivers — two players were atop the stat sheet at the end of what turned out to be breakout seasons for both.
Seniors Evan Hodges and Amer Morrison made a productive dynamic duo this fall. The quarterback and wide receiver got their respective chances to shine, and Hodges and Morrison did just that to lead the Raiders to a 9-3 record and the inaugural Mid-South Conference title.
Over the course of the 12-game season, both players cemented their names in the Richmond record book, which dates back to the program’s first season in 1972.
Hodges now Richmond’s leader in single-season passing yards, completions
As first reported by The Richmond Observer Nov. 18, Hodges became the Raiders’ all-time leader for the most passing yards in a single season.
That feat was done during Richmond’s second round playoff game Nov. 14, a 48-43 win over Porter Ridge High School.
Adding to his legacy, in the team’s third round game at Independence High School, Hodges set another single-season program record. Despite the season-ending loss, Hodges moved to the top of the list for the most completions in a season.
“It feels great, it’s truly a blessing,” Hodges said. “While I broke the records, I couldn’t have done it without my coaches, teammates, and supporters. These are two milestones, along with all the love and support, are things I’ll always remember in life.”
On the season, Hodges finished 172-of-260 passing with 2,922 passing yards. He had a .662 completion percentage and threw for 28 touchdowns, all of which were career-highs.
With his 172 completions and 2,922 passing yards, Hodges moved into first place and bumped former quarterback Leon Zeigler out of the top spots.
Zeigler, who set both of the previous records during the 2015 season, had led with 2,665 passing yards and 171 completions.
Hodges became the quickest Raider quarterback to reach both milestones, doing so in 11 games (passing yards) and 12 games (completions). Zeigler put up his numbers over the course of 13 games in 2015.
Acknowledging that his accolades weren’t achieved on his own, Hodges tipped his cap to a very talented group of wide receivers and the offensive line.
“They helped tremendously,” Hodges said of the players around him. “I told the guys before every game ‘you get where you’re supposed to be and do your assignments and I’ll have the ball right there on you.’
“And it wasn’t just the weapons on the outside that helped me accomplish this. It was also the five hogs blocking up front that gave me the time to make plays. I owe a lot to them, too.”
In four games this season, Hodges surpassed the 330-yard mark, throwing a single-game career-high 378 passing yards in Richmond’s conference championship win over Pinecrest.
All but one of his 12 starts yielded double-digit completions, with his best outing coming against Porter Ridge with 25 completions. Hodges recorded nine multi-passing touchdown games, including a career-high five passing scores against Northwest Guilford and Pinecrest.
Amongst 7A quarterbacks, East and West, Hodges was the top-ranked QB in passing yards. He had 228 more passing yards than second-place Jamel Perry (Knightdale).
Looking back at the season of success, while also looking ahead, Hodges said he hopes that his breakout season was more than just numbers in the record book.
When asked what his most memorable completion was this season, Hodges recalled a 26-yard completion to senior wide receiver Keonta Pegues in the second round of the state playoffs.
That diving effort from Pegues got Richmond inside the five-yard line and led to the game-winning touchdown by junior running back Chance Crowder, capping a perfect two-minute drill with 15 seconds remaining.
“I hope that I left a tremendous impact on the program on the field, but most importantly off the field,” Hodges said. “I’ll always want to be remembered as the teammate who always helped someone when they needed it.
“As far as legacy goes, I hope I go down as one of the top six quarterbacks to ever come through Richmond Senior High School.”
Morrison moves near the top of single-season reception records
One of those stellar wide receivers that Hodges had at his disposal this season, Morrison was a burst of speed on the outside who could also turn short passes into long scoring plays.
Although he surged on the field and in the record book, Morrison didn’t claim any individual program records this season. However, he and three of his teammates, along with Hodges made a new record happen for the offense.
Morrison, Pegues and senior wide receiver Jayden Hamilton, along with junior wideout Jasiah Cooper, became the first group of four players in program history to each record at least 30 receptions in a single season.
“What made us special was that we are all so explosive off the ball,” Morrison explained. “So with the speed we had, it was hard to guard us one-on-one, so I think our explosiveness and athletic abilities are what made us all successful.”
Also enjoying a breakout senior season, his second full season at the varsity level, Morrison quickly became the No. 1 target for Hodges and opposing defenses.
In 12 games, Morrison racked up the stats to lead the team in receptions (45), receiving yards (1,015), receiving yards per game (84.6) and receiving touchdowns (13). He was also the team’s leader in yards per reception (22.6) among receivers who played all 12 games.
With those numbers, all of which were single-season career-highs, Morrison moved in the program record book to second all-time in single-season touchdown receptions and third all-time for the most receiving yards in a single season.
Morrison trails only Lovell Joy in single-season touchdown grabs, who recorded 15 touchdowns through the air during Richmond’s state title winning season in 2008.
In the total receiving yards category for a single season, Morrison moved into third behind Lavell Ellerbe (1,264 yards, 2015) and Joy (1,074 yards, 2008). He’s now just the third receiver in school history to pass the 1K yard threshold in a single campaign.
“It feels amazing to be able to accomplish these personal records and to put my name in the program’s record book,” Morrison shared.
“Having a QB like Evan helped a lot because of the way he can put the ball on the money,” he added. “Evan knows the ins and outs of the opponent’s defense, too, so that helps me run routes and know where people will be on the defensive side.”
In 12 games this fall, Morrison had seven performances where he caught at least 75 receiving yards. His two 100+ yard performances came against Pinecrest (189 yards, career-high) and Independence (116 yards).
In all but one outing did Morrison have at least three catches. He recorded three four-catch games, one five-catch game and set his single-game career best twice with a pair of six-catch games against West Forsyth and Independence.
Morrison also recorded a receiving touchdown in nine of the team’s games, including three multi-touchdown outings. His three receiving scores against Pinecrest were also a single-game career-high.
Like Hodges with quarterbacks, Morrison was the No. 1 wide receiver in 7A this season. His total was 10 yards higher than Brody Hunt of Statesville (1,005 yards).
“I would like to thank my coaches John Rich, Brad Denson and Kemp McSween,” Morrison closed. “They made sure to stay on me no matter what was going on and I see why now. So I really want to thank them for that.”
The Richmond Observer released the All-MSC football team on its Facebook page on Nov. 22. A complete article will be published later this month.
