ROCKINGHAM — In a special playoff edition of The Richmond Observer’s weekly feature series, a pair of offensive linemen at Richmond Senior High School are sharing this week’s honor.
Senior center Tyler McKenzie and senior left tackle Daylyn Robinson are the Official Richmond County Male Student-Athletes of the Week presented by Mabry’s Drug & Home Care.
Two of the five pieces of Richmond’s starting offensive line, McKenzie and Robinson helped the offense put up enough points to earn a close win in the second round of the state playoffs last Friday.
For both players, who are three-year varsity starters, it’s his first career recognition.
Athletic Profile: Tyler McKenzie
Year: Senior
Fall sport: Football
Position: Center
Varsity experience: 3 Seasons
Athletic Profile: Daylyn Robinson
Year: Senior
Fall sport: Football
Position: Left Tackle
Varsity experience: 3 Seasons
“CLASSROOM CREDITS” WITH TYLER McKENZIE AND DAYLYN ROBINSON
While the Raider football team is pursuing its first state championship since 2008, McKenzie and Robinson are putting in a lot of hard work on the football field as well as in the classroom.
Both players are dual enrollment students at Richmond Community College and are taking advantage of getting ahead. McKenzie has two courses at RichmondCC this fall — English 112 and Psychology 150 — while Robinson is taking Criminal Justice 212.
In his two classes at Richmond, McKenzie made the A honor roll during the first half of the semester in Chemistry Honors and Weight Training Honors. He’s on pace to close out the semester on the A/B honor roll.
Also making the A honor roll to start his senior year, Robinson said he’s been proud of his reenergized focus in the classroom. He had As in all three of his classes — Electrical Trades I Honors, English IV Honors and Weight Training Honors.
With just three weeks left before final exams start, Robinson is on track to make the distinguished honor roll again.
“HOGS” WITH TYLER McKENZIE AND DAYLYN ROBINSON
Richmond’s offense has been dominant all season and a big part of that has been the work done in the trenches by McKenzie and Robinson.
Often the unsung heroes of the offensive fireworks, and two of the most gregarious members of the team, the two veteran offensive linemen were crucial in Richmond’s playoff win last Friday.
The Raiders secured a 48-43 victory in the final seconds over Porter Ridge High School. Junior running back Chance Crowder scored the game-winning touchdown, and there to part the Pirates’ defense were McKenzie and Robinson to cap the two-minute drill.
Along with other o-line players Robert Monroe, Kamel Tillman and Jamaury Jones, the two senior linemen paved the way to seven total touchdowns. Five of those scores were on the ground and scored by Crowder.
Senior quarterback Evan Hodges threw two touchdowns and had plenty of time provided by the o-line to find Crowder and senior Amer Morrison.
This season, the Raiders’ offense is averaging 41.2 points per game. McKenzie and Robinson have protected the line to allow for 2,802 passing yards and 1,592 rushing yards.
The No. 6 Raiders will travel to No. 3 Independence High School Friday for the third round. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
“RAPID RESPONSE” VIDEO WITH TYLER McKENZIE AND DAYLYN ROBINSON
The Richmond Observer will publish two more Official Richmond County Student-Athletes of the Week next week.
