ROCKINGHAM — Facing a familiar foe Thursday, the Richmond Senior High School football program competed in its final summer workout against another team.
Hosting their third of three 7-on-7 and lineman challenges over the past month, the Raiders fine-tuned their skills one more time against Union Pines High School.
Unlike last week’s six-team jamboree, it was just Richmond and the Vikings in action on the Raiders’ practice field.
The two-team format allowed for both programs to run two 10-play series on offense and defense with its starters and backups. An additional 10-play series allowed other depth players to compete.
Richmond and Union Pines ended the day with a 25-minute game situation session.
“We competed well today and made adjustments pretty well,” head coach Brad Denson recounted. “Union Pines played their actual defense and they moved around a good bit, which forced us to have to make the right reads and find the correct windows. Something we need to work on is us running routes at full speed.
“Defensively, I don’t think we gave up an actual TD in the game format, so that is always good,” he added. “We do need to get to the ball better, but that’s something that can be corrected.”
Also putting in work on the upper practice fields were the offensive and defensive lines from both programs. Competing in a series of challenges, players faced off in tug-of-war, tire pulls, agility drills and closed the day with one-on-ones.
Richmond’s offensive and defensive lines were under the instruction of longtime line coaches Kemp McSween (offense) and Taivon Jones (defense).
“Both groups grew a ton in the OL/DL challenges,” McSween said. “They showed the ability to be tough physically and mentally and looked like they enjoyed competing against several talented OL/DL groups.
“We’re excited about them staying locked in through each rep, handling adversity and holding each other accountable. It’s been fun to watch their progress, and we’re looking forward to building on it heading into fall camp.”
The Raiders have entered their final NCHSAA-mandated dead period of the summer.
At the stroke of midnight on July 30, Richmond will hold its second “Midnight Madness” practice to officially start the 2025 season. Denson started the new tradition last summer during his first season.
“We are excited about where we are at the end of the summer and are looking forward to the break,” Denson closed. “August is right around the corner and that’s when the real football starts.
“As a staff, we like what we have accomplished this summer and we also are looking forward to the break. Bring on August.”
