ROCKINGHAM — The Raiders could end the regular season in a three-way tie following last Friday’s 42-27 win over the Jaguars of Overhills.
Richmond’s first touchdown came from a pass to Dereon Wiley after the Raiders recovered an Overhills fumble. A successful extra point kick put the Raiders up 7-0.
The Raiders’ defense shut down the Jaguars’ next drive to regain possession of the ball. But as Richmond approached the goal line, a pass was picked off by Josiah Bedford who ran across the field to put the Jaguars on the board.
In the second quarter, Richmond’s Chance Crowder found the endzone and another PAT put the Raiders up 14-6.
Overhills answered back with a touchdown from Jadyn Goldwire and followed up with a two-point conversion to tie the game at 14-all.
Richmond re-took the lead with a Ty Covington TD, but Overhills got the 20-21 advantage going into halftime following a quarterback keeper by Kamryyn Coley.
The Raiders went on a streak in the third quarter, starting with another TD by Wiley and a two-point conversion pass to Cam Everett. Crowder and Everett scored two more times with successful PATs.
With Richmond up 42-21 in the fourth quarter, Ryyan Coley made it into the endzone with less the 40 seconds left on the clock for the final score of the game.
“Anytime you get a win on Senior Night for these guys, it’s something good,” said head coach Brad Denson.
Before the game was over, the coaching staff had been informed that Pinecrest had beaten Hoke County (33-30).
In both his pre- and post-game speeches, Denson referenced Revelation 3:8: “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”
That door was opened with a chance for a three-way conference tie if the Raiders can top the Patriots on Oct. 30 in Southern Pines. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Richmond is currently third in the Mid-South 7A/8A Conference with a 3-1 record (4-5 overall), behind Pinecrest (No. 1, 4-0) and Hoke (No. 2, 3-1).
However, a Pinecrest win would make the Patriots the clear conference champs.
Meanwhile, the junior varsity squad is looking to continue its winning streak for a conference championship.
The JV Raiders are currently No. 1 with an undefeated conference record (4-0) — giving up two non-conference games earlier in the year to Hoggard and rival Scotland — earning wins over Pine Forest (40-0), Jack Britt (29-6), Hoke (16-0) and Overhills (41-12).
The Raiders will host the Patriots, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Deon Cranford contributed to this story.
See more photos from the Overhills game at the RO's Facebook page.
