ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond Observer is proud to bring back its spotlight series on local student-athletes for the 2025-26 school year at Richmond Senior High School.
Kicking off our Official Richmond County Student-Athlete of the Week series are junior volleyball player Riley McDonald and senior football player Evan Hodges.
Hodges, who plays quarterback for the Raiders, put together his best single-game performance of his three-year varsity career last Friday against Northwest Guilford High School.
Leading an aerial attack against the Vikings’ defense that led to a 42-21 victory, Hodges has earned his third career recognition. The two-sport student-athlete earned it once for football and once for baseball during his junior year.
Athletic Profile: Evan Hodges
Year: Senior
Fall sport: Football
Position: Quarterback
Varsity experience: 3 Seasons
Other sports: Baseball
Senior quarterback Evan Hodges airs out an 80-yard passing touchdown to senior teammate Jayden Hamilton in the first half of Friday’s win. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
“CLASSROOM CREDITS” WITH EVAN HODGES
Not only a self-described “film junkie” when it comes to preparing for opponents on Friday nights, Hodges is also zeroed in to his studies in the classroom.
Taking advantage of Richmond’s dual enrollment program with Richmond Community College, Hodges is taking one college course this fall to go along with three classes at the high school.
At RichmondCC, Hodges is taking Spanish 111. When he’s at Richmond, Hodges participates in Chemistry Honors, Athletic Management Honors and Advanced Weight Training Honors. Through the first month of school, Hodges has all As.
Beginning the semester with a 4.29 weighted grade point average, Hodges is ranked 20th in the class of 2026. His postsecondary plans include attending a four-year university to pursue a degree in * while also playing college football or baseball.
“AIR EVAN” WITH EVAN HODGES
On the road in Week 4, the Richmond Raiders defeated Northwest Guilford 42-21 with a running clock largely in part to Hodges and his arm. Finishing the night with five passing touchdowns and 375 passing yards, Hodges recorded single-game career-highs in both categories.
All of Hodges passing scores came in the first half to give Richmond a 35-7 lead. He connected with four different receivers in the end zone, all from notable distances. First was a 47-yard score to Jasiah Cooper, followed by an 80-yard dime to Jayden Hamilton.
The next two passing scores went to Amer Morrison for 52 and 21 yards, respectively. Before the intermission, Hodges launched another long scoring play to Keonta Pegues, an 88-yard catch-and-run down the right sideline.
Through four games this season, Hodges has thrown for 971 passing yards (242.8 yards per game) and is ranked No. 2 in that category in the 7A classification. In the entire state, Hodges is ranked eighth in total passing.
Hodges’ five passing TDs put him one shy of tying Richmond’s single-game program record, which was set by Leon Zeigler in 2015 against South View High School.
The Raiders (2-2) close non-conference action Friday at home against West Forsyth High School (3-1). Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
“RAPID RESPONSE” VIDEO WITH EVAN HODGES
The Richmond Observer will publish two more Official Richmond County Student-Athletes of the Week next week.
