ROCKINGHAM — It may have looked a little bit different than years past, but the Richmond Raider football award ceremony still carried the same message Thursday – marking the official end of the season.
The annual event, usually held in the evening, was rescheduled due to winter weather earlier this month. With the overlap of winter and spring sports, head coach Brad Denson decided to hold the event during the football team’s weight training class.
Even though the banquet tables were traded for the gym’s bleachers, the ceremony recognized the team’s successes during the 2025 season, as well as several individual accolades.
Principal Joyce McRae kicked off with opening remarks and thanked the school district’s central office staff and the local board of education for their continued support of the program.
Athletic Director James Johnson followed with special thanks and recognition to an array of people and organizations that help make game days possible. Among those recognized were local first responders, school personnel, custodians and sponsors.
Denson took time to thank his coaching staff and the Moms Club, whose main purpose is to help feed the program on game days.
The majority of Thursday’s ceremony put the spotlight on the players themselves, starting with both the junior varsity and varsity teams being called to the floor to be recognized. Members of the All-Conference team were also given a plaque.
Awards followed for the varsity program, with Denson delivering a speech or an anecdote for each award winner. Members of the coaching staff took turns presenting the awards to the players.
McRae started the awards portion by recognizing the top academic football players in each class, going from freshmen to seniors. Players were ranked on their current grade point average and the top GPA(s) received a trophy.
Class of 2029: Jackson Parsons and LaTavian Watkins (4.250); Nathan Erwin, Jase Norton and Jaxton Watson (4.125); and Maurice Lemon (4.000).
Class of 2028: Tristan Tario (4.417); Ikema Smith (4.292); Logan Carter (4.250); Damian Bastida (4.208); Samuel Dockery and Donovan Jones (4.167).
Class of 2027: Shamir Jones (4.250); Aryan Patel (4.200); Konner Gardner (4.050); Julian Ingram (3.950); Chance Crowder (3.875); and Bryan Hinson (3.825).
Class of 2026: Robert Monroe (4.533); Jason Gainey (4.431); Keonta Pegues (4.393); Jake Veach (4.276); and Evan Hodges (4.268).
Denson then presented the winners of the following awards, listed in this article in alphabetical order by award name:
All-Around Player of the Year: Jayden Hamilton
Bill Eustler Award: Jason Gainey and Robert Monroe
Captains: Evan Hodges, Keonta Pegues, Daylyn Robinson, Terande Spencer
Captains’ Captain: Evan Hodges
Defensive ‘Be Tough’ Players of the Year: Demonte Martin and Domonic Tillman
Defensive Coaches Award: Jordan Hamilton
Defensive Combo/Lineman of the Year: Jermaine Bright
Defensive Newcomers of the Year: CJ Covington, Preston Fann
Defensive Skill Players of the Year: Ty Covington and Shamir Jones
Lifter of the Year: Zamarion Robinson
Offensive ‘Be Tough’ Player of the Year: Daylyn Robinson
Offensive Coaches Award: Kamel Tillman
Offensive Combo/Lineman of the Year: Tyler McKenzie
Offensive Newcomers of the Year: Jasiah Cooper and Jamaury Jones
Offensive Skill Player of the Year: Chance Crowder
Overall Defensive Player of the Year: Terande Spencer
Overall Offensive Player of the Year: Amer Morrison
Practice Players of the Year: Esaias Brunson and Adan King
Special Teams Players of the Year: Keonta Pegues and Jake Veach
At the end of the awards, all of the varsity players who were on the roster during Richmond’s playoff run were given hoodies celebrating the team’s Mid-South Conference championship.
A complete video of the awards ceremony, filmed by the RSHS yearbook class and edited by the RSHS Media II class, can be viewed on the school’s media YouTube page.
