CLEMMONS, N.C. — An undefeated start to the season for the Richmond Senior High School junior varsity football team came to an end Thursday.
Matching up with what head coach Patrick Hope credited as Richmond’s most challenging opponent so far this season, the JV Raiders lost a close road test at West Forsyth High School.
Citing a slow start that took some time for Richmond’s game plan to develop, the JV Raiders lost 20-14.
Even with the loss, Hope expressed his satisfaction with the way the JV Raiders didn’t quit until the end.
"This was the best JV team we played in non-conference,” Hope said. “It took about a quarter for us to settle in and play.
“This was the first real road trip for a lot of these guys. Our boys showed a lot of toughness in answering (West Forsyth’s) touchdowns, which gave us a chance to win the game.”
On the game’s opening drive, West Forsyth (3-2) found the end zone on a 10-yard rushing score. A successful point-after attempt made it 7-0.
Richmond was able to keep West Forsyth out of the end zone on the next drive, which resulted in a fumble recovery by the JV Raiders’ defense at its own two-yard line.
That takeaway set in motion a 98-yard scoring drive that culminated in a 69-yard passing touchdown from freshman quarterback Damarion Allen to freshman receiver Josiah Gilbert.
Tying the game 7-7 with his first successful PAT was freshman Nate Erwin.
One more time before the half, the JV Titans scored to hold a 14-7 lead after two quarters. West Forsyth scored on a 45-yard passing play and made the PAT.
The game’s only score in the third quarter was another hook up between Allen and Gilbert, which again tied the game. This time, Allen threw a 25-yard pass to Gilbert and Erwin made it 14-14.
That score held until the final minute of the game when the JV Titans got down field and completed a 17-yard passing score. Richmond blocked the PAT but was unable to do anything offensively in the time remaining.
"There were a lot of learning experiences that we will examine in the bye week that will have us ready for conference play,” Hope concluded.
Now in their bye week, the JV Raiders (3-1) will open Mid-South Conference play Thursday, Oct. 2, at home against Pine Forest High School (3-2). Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
Sports editor's note: Game information provided by head coach Patrick Hope.
