ROCKINGHAM – Richmond Senior High School’s esteemed football program officially concluded its 46th year of play with its annual awards banquet Monday night.
The 2017 varsity, junior varsity and ninth grade teams gathered one last time as players, parents, coaches and members of Richmond County Schools’ central office staff and school board filled RSHS’ cafeteria to celebrate team accolades and recognize individual athletic and academic achievements.
Richmond head football coach Bryan Till traded his headset and whistle for a suit and microphone as he welcomed players and guests with his trademark grin. The Raiders went 7-5 in Till’s first year at the helm of the program, which included a trip to the 4AA state playoffs and a second place finish in the Sandhills Athletic Conference.
“I think we’ve established what we want Raider football to be,” Till said in an interview with the Richmond Observer. “Our kids, our community and our coaches understand that. And having a lot of those guys (coming back) to move forward is exciting.”
Before business was attended to, guests were treated to a meal of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, green beans and rolls, among other dishes, provided by Seaboard Station Restaurant.
“I’d like to welcome you all to a very special night, our football banquet,” RSHS principal Jim Butler greeted everyone following the meal. “I can’t stress how important Friday nights are (in Richmond County); I can’t overstate it. Richmond football brings our community together.
“On Friday nights, everyone unites to be Richmond Raiders,” Butler continued. “And we are here tonight to celebrate these young men and their achievements.”
Next to the podium was RCS Associate Superintendent Dr. Jeff Maples, who spoke on behalf of Superintendent Dr. Cindy Goodman, who was unable to attend. In his note, Maples expressed how proud he, Goodman and the entire district office was, and is, of the Raiders this season. He closed with well-wishes for all Raiders players in their future academic and athletic endeavors.
“Friday nights are a production in Richmond County,” RSHS athletic director Ricky Young said as he drew attendees to their programs. “And it takes a lot of people to make it happen.”
Young addressed several behind-the-scenes individuals, groups and support staff members that help make each Richmond game, home or away, a success.
Next, Till returned to the podium and made it clear that he was making some changes to the format of the banquet than what had been done in the past. He then recognized each coach by name, as each stood to be recognized. Till emphasized the “hours these guys have spent sacrificing time for our young men, sacrificing (time from) their families.”
To begin the evening’s official ceremonies, players were recognized by team, not class, which is something Till noted as being new at this year’s banquet. The Ninth Grade Academy team was first introduced by coach David Lee, which was followed by the junior varsity team and head coach Patrick Hope.
JV head coach Patrick Hope addresses players and families Monday night.
“I’m really proud of these guys,” Hope said of the JV team as they stood behind him on stage. “They went undefeated this year and went 7-0 in the Sandhill Athletic Conference. What I’m really proud about with this group of guys is they found different ways to win.
“Our offense was really explosive and scored 29.7 points per game, and scored 34 or more points four times” Hope continued. “One of the challenges I gave the team (late in the season) was to stay ‘L.I.T.’ That meant they were ‘loyal’ to their coaches and each another, had ‘intense’ preparation and execution, and were ‘tougher’ than the situations they had to face.”
Following Hope, Till introduced each varsity team member.
“This is an outstanding group of young men,” Till said as the entire varsity team assembled on stage. “As a first year had coach here, I couldn’t think of a better group of young men to coach and work with. I’m excited about the future and what the legacy is these young men are leaving here.
“Guys, you made this job a family for me and a group of young men I’m proud to call family,” Till said, shifting his focus to his players. “I love you guys, appreciate you, and look forward to seeing you (in the future).”
Academic Awards: Presented by Principal Jim Butler
One aspect of Till’s program that he, and his players, take an extreme amount of pride in is exceling in the classroom. The top five players with the highest GPA of each class were recognized, with the class’ highest student receiving a plaque. Butler reminded the players that, “football has a finite length of time, but (success in) the classroom lasts forever.”
They are as follow with the winner first and the others in alphabetical order:
Freshman Class of 2021:
Thomas West (4.50 GPA), Caleb Davis, Dominic Leviner, Ethan Owens and Amir Webb.
Sophomore Class of 2020:
Noah Altman (4.50 GPA), Derek Allred, Christian Garcia, Austin Hart, Tuarence McDougald and Gavin Russell.
Junior Class of 2019:
Trevor Whittington (4.43 GPA), CJ Goodwin, Kyle Goodwin, Jake Ransom and Jordyn Wall.
Senior Class of 2018:
Daryn Mason (5.21 GPA), Curtis Freeman, Dante Miller, Gordon Pihl and Austin Watson.
Senior offensive lineman Daryn Mason accepts the team's top GPA award from head coach Bryan Till.
2017 All-SAC Conference Team Members: Presented by Coach Bryan Till
Kaleb Douglas, Jaquan Everett, Caleb Hood, Victor Lucero, Daryn Mason, Tony McRae, Dante Miller, Gordon Pihl, Jake Ransom, Malik Stanback and Delon Wall.
Honorable Mentions: Jaleen Baldwin, Steven Blyther, Chase Coulthard, Jahan Jones and Da’Shaun Wallace.
“We have a certificate signed by the president of our conference and coach Young as our AD,” Till opened. “These guys are nominated by the other coaches based on how they scout our guys and what their thoughts are on our players."
Special Teams Award and 2017 Captains Award: Presented by Coach Bryan Till
Clint Snipes was awarded recognition as the Special Teams player of the year.
“Special teams guys don’t get a ton of recognition,” Till said. “We score our special teams guys, and they get points each week. And the guy who had the most points at the end of this year was Clint.”
Another new award that Till has brought to the table this year is the 2017 Captains Award, which honors four players for their, “production, leadership and being a Raider day in and day out.” The coaching staff named the following players as the season captains:
Daryn Mason, Dante Miller, Malik Stanback and Delon Wall
William E. Eutsler Award: Presented by Ricky Young
Young returned to the podium and explained that Eustler was a long-time baseball and football coach at Rockingham High School and became the first athletic director at Richmond when the schools consolidated. He noted Eutsler was a “legend” in the community and around the state.
“This award is given to a player (voted on by the coaching staff) who is not only a good player, but who is a good teammate who possesses high character, and is a very conscientious student as well,” Young said. “This year the award goes to Jeremy Wall.”
2017 Letterman and Law of the Raider: Presented by Head Coach Bryan Till
After sharing an inspiring tale of his own growing pains and eventual successes as a high school football player, Till made the point to encourage each of his players to strive to be the best they can be and to earn their letterman award. The following players earned their “golden R” letterman award following their performance during the 2017 season:
Khaliq Anderson, Derek Barringer, Preston Coker, Jaheim Covington, Taveon Ellerbe, Malik Flowers, Curtis Freeman, Kyle Goodwin, Sway Harrington, Darius Harris, Caleb Hood, Jahan Jones, Victor Lucero, Rasheed Patrick, Caleb Ross, Julius Saunders, Shakim Sinclair, Griffin Thurman, Jordyn Wall and Trevor Whittington.
Till led the audience in the “Law of the Raiders,” which is a creed that is painted in the locker room and is set to guide Raiders players on and off the field.
Till closed the night’s events by calling all of his senior players on stage to address them one final time as a unique group. Speaking to his players directly, and not the crowd, Till had one last message he wanted them to hear.
Head coach Bryan Till (left) addresses his senior players one last time.
“I want to take a chance to speak to you young men as a group one more time,” Till started. “This is the last time, team wise, we’ll be able to do this. And as you think about that, I want you to think about what was the point of you playing football.
“Obviously, you love the game, or you wouldn’t be here,” he continued. “But in the long run with the man you want to be, what did this game add to your life? What did this year, these coaches, this bond between each other, what did it help you do as a man moving forward? I hope and pray you take with you from your year(s) growing up a Raider the hard work and how important it was to even give yourself a chance.”
As a final note, Till encouraged his seniors to “set specific goals” to be successful, and not to set them too easy.
