ROCKINGHAM — With the start of another week of high school football in Richmond County, six local players were recognized for their efforts as part of a playoff win.
The No. 6 Richmond Raiders didn’t let a first-half deficit deter their drive last Friday, as they rallied to defeat Porter Ridge High School 48-43 in the second round of the NCHSAA 7A state playoffs.
Selected by head coach Brad Denson in conjunction with the rest of Richmond’s coaching staff, the latest Players of the Week were:
Offense: Chance Crowder (junior running back)
Offense: Evan Hodges (senior quarterback)
Defense: Terande Spencer (senior linebacker)
Special Teams: Alijah Flowers (junior linebacker)
Practice: Donovan Jones (sophomore running back)
Weight Room: Ikema Smith (sophomore linebacker)
Crowder and Hodges both had memorable performances on offense, thus sharing the honor.
Scoring six total touchdowns, including five on the ground, Crowder set a single-game career-high in both categories. He finished the night with 98 rushing yards on 18 carries, and scored the eventual game-winning touchdown with 15 seconds left in regulation.
Additionally, Crowder tied the program’s single-game record for all-purpose touchdowns (6). That mark tied former Raiders Brent Flowers (2013) and Walter Ellerbe Jr. (2009).
Hodges was 25-of-33 through the air for 339 yards, his fourth 330+ passing yard performance of the season. He threw two touchdowns, one apiece to Crowder and senior wide receiver Amer Morrison.
Also writing his name in the program’s record book, Hodges became Richmond’s all-time leader in single-season passing yards. Through 11 games, he’s thrown for 2,710 yards, surpassing former quarterback Leon Zeigler (2,665 yards, 2015).
Defensively, Spencer had 11 total tackles (six solo, five assists), 1.0 tackle-for-loss and one pass defended (on the first play of the game).
Adding three quarter hurries, Spencer’s tackle-for-loss was a strip sack that resulted in a fumble recovery by senior teammate Demonte Martin during the comeback effort.
Helping on special teams, Flowers had two tackles and 1.0 TFL. He also defended on pass during the win. Jones served as a scout running back to help prepare for Porter Ridge’s Rai’Shawn Elmore, who also had six total touchdowns.
The No. 6 Raiders (9-2) will travel to No. 3 Independence High School (9-2) Friday for the third round. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
