ROCKINGHAM — The first round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s football playoffs concluded Friday night, which definitively gave the Richmond Raiders their second round opponent.
The No. 6 Raiders and head coach Brad Denson, who received a first-round bye in the 7A West bracket, awaited the outcome No. 11 Porter Ridge High School and No. 22 Cuthbertson High School.
What proved to be a close game with the score tied at the end of the third quarter, it was the higher-seeded Pirates who escaped a first-round upset.
Defeating the Cavaliers 26-16, thanks to 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, Porter Ridge set its date with the Raiders in the second round.
One of eight teams in the 7A West bracket to receive a first-round bye under this year’s playoff format, Richmond had the benefit of spending all of last week preparing for either opponent.
While studying both teams on film, more emphasis was placed on the Porter Ridge Pirates, who improved to 7-4 this season with their playoff win.
The Raiders, who are riding a seven-game winning streak and fresh off a beatdown of Pinecrest High School in the Mid-South Conference championship, enter the postseason with an 8-2 record.
Sharing just one common opponent this season — West Forsyth High School — the Raiders defeated the Titans, while the Pirates lost by a large margin.
Erasing a late nine-point deficit, Richmond earned a 36-30 win in Week 5, while the Pirates suffered a 45-14 loss in Week 3.
Kickoff between the No. 6 Raiders and No. 11 Pirates is slated for 7 p.m. Friday at Raider Stadium.
The Richmond Observer will publish a more detailed preview later in the week, including quotes and analysis from head coach Brad Denson.
