ROCKINGHAM — A first-half performance by a Richmond Senior High School football player that landed him amongst elite company highlights this edition of The Richmond Observer’s feature series.
Jayden Hamilton, a junior wide receiver and kick return specialist, has been named the Official Richmond County Male Student-Athlete of the Week presented by Rockingham NC Self Storage.
Helping the Raiders win their fourth straight game Friday, a 24-point win over Hoke County High School, Hamilton scored three touchdowns in the opening two quarters three different ways — rushing, punt return and receiving.
Earning his first career selection, Hamilton joins the likes of former Raider football greats Jamar Bryant, Melvin Ingram, Michael Waddell and Norman Whitley as some of the only players in program history to find the end zone three different ways in a half.
Athletic Profile: Jayden Hamilton
Year: Junior
Fall sport: Football
Position: Wide Receiver, Returner
Varsity experience: 3 Seasons
Other sports: Basketball, Track and Field
“CLASSROOM CREDITS” WITH JAYDEN HAMILTON Putting in work on the football field isn’t the only area Hamilton is taking seriously. He’s also full-speed ahead with his academics. As a first-semester junior, Hamilton has begun taking dual-enrollment classes at Richmond and Richmond Community College. This fall, he’s in Math 171 and Spanish 111 at RichmondCC, while also taking AP US Government and Weight Training Honors at the high school. Looking to bolster his 4.21 weighted grade point average, Hamilton will also take another course at RichmondCC during the spring semester. His other classes will include Chemistry Honors, English III Honors and another section of Weight Training Honors. “HOUSE CALLS” WITH JAYDEN HAMILTON The Raiders made pretty quick work of the Hoke County Bucks Friday, winning by a final score of 44-20. Hamilton was a big part of a big first half, scoring three times to give Richmond a 28-12 lead at the break. When it was all over, Hamilton set new personal single-game career-bests in total touchdowns (three), all-purpose yards (162) and receiving yards (86). With Richmond leading 7-6 early in the second quarter, Hamilton capped an 86-yard scoring drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown, his first of the season. Taking a handoff from junior quarterback Domonic Tillman, Hamilton scored on the jet sweep to the right. Hoke County’s next drive resulted in a punt, which Hamilton caught and returned for his second score. Catching the ball at the Bucks’ 45-yard line, Hamilton rolled to the left sideline and won the foot race to the end zone. Etching his name next to some of the best known players in program history, Hamilton finished his big first half two series later. This time he caught a short pass over the middle from junior quarterback Evan Hodges and followed a similar route for a 57-yard catch-and-run score. Hamilton’s final touchdown came with 3:55 left in the second quarter, pushing Richmond’s lead to 28-12. Through seven games this season, Hamilton has 12 receptions for 205 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. He’s also rushed the ball six times for 22 yards and a score and leads the team with 583 all-purpose yards (83.3 yards per game). Richmond (5-2, 3-0 SAC) hosts Union Pines High School (5-1, 2-0 SAC) Friday for its homecoming game. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. “RAPID RESPONSE” VIDEO WITH JAYDEN HAMILTON The Richmond Observer will publish two more Official Richmond County Student-Athletes of the Week next week.
