ROCKINGHAM — The sky above Raider Stadium will be illuminated late into the night Wednesday and early into Thursday morning, a beacon signaling the official start to the new high school football season.
For the second consecutive season, the Richmond Senior High School football program will hold its Midnight Madness practice.
Open to the public, the Raiders and second-year head coach Brad Denson will complete the team’s two required helmet-only practices during the event.
With many of Richmond’s other five fall sports programs beginning tryouts or practices early Wednesday morning, the first day allowed by the NCHSAA for fall sports to begin, the Raider football team is keeping with its late-night routine.
Denson, who led the Raiders to a 10-3 record and a third-round playoff appearance in his inaugural season, believes the double practice helps create extra buzz and excitement to begin the new campaign.
“The first couple of days of the season are always important and we want all of our guys and coaches to start with a lot of energy,” Denson said. “Midnight Madness helps add that into our first two practices.
“Football season is now officially here in Richmond County and our program has been working hard all spring and summer to get to the point of competition. That starts when we put on our helmets Wednesday night.”
Ahead of the helmet-only practices, the Raiders will lift in their new weight room then report to Raider Stadium Wednesday night. From 10 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. the Raiders will conduct their first official practice of the 2025 season.
Following a short break, the Raiders will then hold a 30-minute practice starting at 12:01 a.m. Thursday.
During the second practice, Richmond’s varsity and junior varsity teams will compete in 7-on-7 scrimmages on either side of the field. Near the 50-yard line, the offensive and defensive lines will compete in a series of challenges.
“‘Be tough’ is still our motto this season,” Denson shared. “We have focused on developing toughness all summer and we want our fans and community to see what we’ve accomplished.
“Real football is about to start and that’s when the real toughness counts most.”
The Raiders will return to the field Friday morning and continue preparing for their quickly approaching 10-game regular season, their first as a 7A program.
A home scrimmage will be held Friday, Aug. 8 at 10 a.m., followed by the Raiders competing against West Florence High School in the Dillon Jamboree Friday, Aug. 15. That scrimmage is slated for 8:30 p.m.
Richmond will kick off the 2025 football season Friday, Aug. 22, at non-conference Hoggard High School.
