ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond Raiders and Independence Patriots are no strangers to one another, especially when a state championship is being pursued.
That’s the current situation for the two perennial powerhouse programs, as a rivalry from the first decade of the millennium will be renewed Friday in the third round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 7A West state playoffs.
When the No. 6 Raiders travel to No. 3 Independence, it will mark the first meeting of the two green and gold squads since 2009.
It will be the sixth all-time meeting between Richmond and the Patriots and also the sixth meeting in the playoffs. In the previous five meetings, Independence holds a 4-1 record.
Richmond (9-2) and head coach Brad Denson advanced to the third round for the second straight year thanks to a late 48-43 comeback victory over No. 11 Porter Ridge High School last Friday.
The Patriots (9-2) and head coach DJ McFadden had an easier go in the second round, defeating No. 14 Page High School 45-6.
Denson made it clear to the team after that second round win that while a win is a win, there were some things the Raiders needed to clean up ahead of round three.
Richmond has been dialed in at practice this week, getting back to its brand of football without the hangover of a bye week looming over its head. Helping the forward trajectory has been the team not dwelling too much on its mistakes against Porter Ridge.
“It is playoff football. Every single week is a brand new week,” Denson explained. “We are in a win-and-survive mentality and so is our opponent.
“Yes, there are things to clean up, but the fact of the matter is, this is a new week with a new opponent. We are working some things out, but again, it is a new week with a new opponent and that is what we are concentrating on.”
Now with five days to digest the second round victory, Denson said the biggest takeaway and motivator heading into Charlotte is Richmond’s stick-to-itiveness. Additionally, the grind that started months ago, though grueling, is also something the team doesn’t want to see end.
“Resilient, that's what these kids and staff are,” Denson commented. “We survived, we found a way to be with each other one more week. This time of year is hard and fun all at the same time. The players and coaches have been in game week prep since Aug. 7, which dates back to the first scrimmage week.
“Add all of the summer practices in there and it has been almost five straight months of football. It is hard, but so is life. We just have to choose our hard. Going to practice is hard, but at the same time, going home after school with nothing to do is hard. Having teammates is hard, but also not having a team is hard.
“We just have to choose the hard that we want. I want the headaches one more week. I want the lack of sleep one more week. And I know the kids and staff want that, too.”
The Raiders will need that resiliency and mental focus if they want to be on the other side of the series’ history this season. Interestingly enough, in four of the five years the two teams have played, the winner has gone on to win the state championship.
Richmond’s only victory in the series was in 2008, a 30-22 victory on the road at Independence to clinch the 4AA West regional championship. In that game, the Raiders were also a No. 6 seed and upset the top-seeded Patriots.
In its next game that season, Richmond and former head coach Paul Hoggard defeated Richard Bailey and the Jack Britt Buccaneers for the program’s seventh, and most recent, state title.
Independence defeated Richmond in the 2003 and 2004 4AA West Regional championships when the teams were the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, respectively.
The other meeting that later resulted in a title for the Patriots came in the third round of the 2000 playoffs against an undefeated top-seeded Richmond. That season kicked off the Independence dynasty, which won a record seven straight state championships between 2000-2006.
When the two teams played in 2009, the Patriots earned a third round win and later lost to Butler High School in the 4AA West regional championship.
Aware of the lopsided history and the coincidences connected to the 2008 championship, Denson said not a lot of attention is paid to it.
While he recognized the importance of the past, Denson and the team are more focused on this year’s roster writing its own headlines.
“These are two storied North Carolina programs that are rich in history,” Denson said. “However, most of the kids have no idea about that because most were not even born then. Speaking of the ‘08 run, I honestly don't pay much attention to it.
“We are so locked in on a single week, we don't have the time nor the energy to be thinking of that stuff. I do know it is time for a recent team, AKA the 2025 Raiders, to make a name for themselves.
“I am all about history, but I would like to make a little history of our own,” he continued. “Our goal is to find a way to have one more point than they do when the final horn sounds Friday night. Our kids have had a good week of preparation and will be ready to go come Friday night.”
Both teams enter Friday’s meeting on long winning streaks, led by Richmond’s eight consecutive victories. The Raiders have won by an average of 23.8 points per game during that stretch.
The Patriots have won five straight games and have held opponents to just 3.2 points per game during that span, including two shutouts.
“Indy’s offense has very good ball control, and can be explosive all at the same time,” Denson noted. “No. 2 (Jayden Jones) and No. 10 (Travis Hill) in the backfield are dudes with great vision, balance and strength. We must contain them and bottle them up all night.
“The QB (Jared Street) can run and spin it around. No. 1 (Ricky Myers) and No. 17 (King Rhodes) are the top receiving threats out on the perimeter. We are going to do what we do on the defensive side and let our guys go make some plays.”
Part of that success, Denson added, is the defense making its checks and getting aligned. The most important thing this week, he said, is to get to the ball and wrap up opposing players quickly.
Independence’s offensive production is pretty even between its passing game and running game. Street has thrown for 1,946 yards and 16 touchdowns, while completing 63.5% of his passes (120-for-189).
Sophomore Zakai Milton leads the Patriots with 428 receiving yards. He, along with Myers (368 yards), both have four receiving touchdowns. Rhodes has caught three scores and pulled in 271 receiving yards.
Of the Patriots’ 2,485 rushing yards this season, Jones (932 yards), Hill (585 yards) and Street (510 yards) have combined for 2,027 yards (81.6%). Jones leads the team with 11 rushing scores, followed by Hill (8) and Street (5).
On the other side of the ball, the Raiders will face a Patriots defense that has allowed just 15.2 points per game all season. Richmond, however, has scored at a clip of 41.2 points per game.
To contest the Patriots defense, the Raiders have senior quarterback Evan Hodges and a deep corps of wide receivers in seniors Amer Morrison, Jayden Hamilton, Keonta Pegues and junior Jasiah Cooper.
Morrison (899 yards, 13 TDs), Hamilton (698 yards, 6 TDS), Pegues (565 yards, 6 TDS) and Cooper (391 yards, 3 TDS) each have at least 30 receptions this season — the first time that’s happened in a season in program history.
Additionally, junior running back Chance Crowder has caught fire the second half of the season, scoring multiple touchdowns in five of the last six games. He tied the program’s single-game all-purpose touchdown record (6) against Porter Ridge.
“They are fast and fly around on defense,” Denson relayed. “Their size does not stand out like some of our past opponents, but they are really athletic and fast. They are mainly an even front with four downed linemen, but they change coverages all the time.
“We must be able to identify the coverages and make sure we know our assignment versus each one,” he added. “No. 4 (Dallas Brannon) at linebacker is a Shrine Bowl kid who looks to be the heart and soul of their defense. No. 11 (Nick Reddish) is a Notre Dame commit and can really play.”
Brannon (88 tackles) and Reddish (65 tackles) are the team’s leaders in that category. Elyejah Jackson’s 18.0 tackles-for-loss are a team-high, as he and Bruscutty Maxime each have a team-high 4.0 quarterback sacks.
Noting Independence’s defense has “athletes all over the field,” Denson expressed the importance of Richmond’s ability to play extremely well. That includes taking care of the football and getting it to playmakers in space.
“Let’s see what happens,” Denson said. “We are excited for the challenge and look forward to Friday night.”
Calling upon Raider Nation once again, Denson urged fans to be a force in the stands, something the team has benefitted from all season.
“Use up some sick time, get out of work early, and be at Indy by 7,” Denson said. “These guys need you there, they need to hear you. Drive safe, be present, be loud and support these young men.
“Raider Nation is known for traveling well and I expect nothing different Friday night. I am all about history, but it is time for the 2025 team to make a name for itself. We don't do that without the support of you and everyone else. Let’s pack that place out and do what we can to see another week.”
Kickoff between No. 6 Richmond and No. 3 Independence is set for 7 p.m.
Online tickets ($15.70 apiece) can be purchased ahead of time on GoFan. As previously reported, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools also enforces a small bag policy, allowing bags 6”x9”x2” into the stadium.
Sports editor’s note: Deon Cranford III contributed historical information used in this article.
