ROCKINGHAM — It’s been back to the workshop for the Richmond Raider football team this week after suffering its second loss in three weeks to start the season.
With the mantra of keeping the team’s vision always looking forward, the Raiders and head coach Brad Denson aren’t dwelling on the “should haves” and “could haves” through what has proven to be a gauntlet on non-conference matchups.
Instead of reeling following Richmond’s second-half surrender of its lead to Rolesville High School last Friday, the team is locked in for its next opponent in Week 4 — Northwest Guilford High School.
While the sting of last week’s loss isn’t totally forgotten, Denson said there were a lot of positives the Raiders came away with despite being outscored 28-6 in the second half.
Helping the team move past the loss and refocus was a players-only meeting held ahead of Monday’s practice.
“We did some really good things in Week 3,” Denson recalled. “(Rolesville) was extremely talented and we had them on the ropes for three quarters. On both sides of the ball, there were plenty of bright spots. I even told the staff and the team that we did enough good to win that game, however, we did just enough bad to lose it.
“We have worked on those things and been more consistent this week. A couple of our leaders even reached out over the weekend and requested a players-only meeting so they could discuss some things. I granted them that first thing Monday and then we went to work like we always do.”
When Richmond travels to visit the Vikings Friday, it will be the first meeting between the two football programs since the second round of the 2013 postseason. That ended in a 31-12 loss for Richmond.
In their last five meetings with Northwest Guilford dating back to 2008, the Raiders have won three of those five games.
Rekindling the history between the two schools is a good thing, Denson said, adding that the element of an “unknown opponent” creates chances for Richmond to play out a tailor-made game plan that best reflects the strengths of the Raiders.
“It’s always good to play new teams,” Denson said. “It’s a challenge because we don't know what they do or how they will scheme us up. Our guys aren't familiar with them and they aren't familiar with us.
“We take the film exchange that we get and we work all weekend long on developing a game plan that best fits our kids. Northwest Guilford is a really well-coached team and they will be prepared for sure, as we will, too.”
Part of last week’s loss that was evident was Richmond’s lack of discipline in key down-and-distance situations, something Denson addressed during the postgame huddle in the end zone.
Remedying that this week and hoping it pays dividends Friday, Denson shared that no major changes have been made, however, the entire program has been dialed in to control the things its players and coaches can control on and off the field.
“No (big) changes really, just the idea of getting better at what we do,” Denson explained. “We’ve focused on some fundamentals and being more disciplined. We have been preaching discipline in everything that we do, all the way down to just walking the halls at school.
“I, as the head coach, have even been stressing that same thing to the staff. It starts with us and we must be the role models and guidance for these young student-athletes.”
Through its three games this season, Northwest Guilford has averaged 19.7 points per game on offense. In back-to-back losses to Page and Northern Guilford high schools the past two weeks, the Vikings have averaged 2.2 fewer points.
Expecting Northwest Guilford’s offense to be capable of moving the sticks, Denson shared the Raiders have put an extra emphasis on preparing for and trying to slow down a trio of playmakers.
“They run a multiple-scheme offense and they will run the ball,” Denson said of the Vikings. “But they can spin it around as well. Key players that we must identify and know where they are at all times are the running back (Easton Dean) and two wide receivers (Rakem Hammock and Austin Jackson). These guys can go and they want to get the ball in their hands.
“As in every week, we need to control the line of scrimmage and let our linebackers work. On the back end, we must stay disciplined in our reads and our eyes. Coach (Chris) Campolieta and the defensive staff have really been pushing these guys this week and I fully expect them to be ready to go out and do their jobs.”
Dean has carried the ball 25 times for 103 yards in three games (4.1 yards per carry) and scored the team’s only rushing score.
Quarterback Ferrell Price has completed 43-of-66 pass attempts for 603 yards. He’s thrown six touchdowns, with two going to Hammock and one each going to Jackson and Dean.
Hammock (202 receiving yards) and Dean (135 receiving yards) lead the team with 12 receptions each. Jackson’s three catches have amassed 110 yards through the air.
There to combat the offense, Richmond’s front seven has been gritty through the first three games and has dominated the line of scrimmage at times. Leading the charge has been senior linebacker Jermaine Bright, who has a team-leading 35 tackles (11.7 tackles per game) and a team-best 8.0 tackles-for-loss.
Senior edge Terande Spencer is a close second with 28 total takes and 7.0 tackles-for-loss. Spencer (4.0) and Bright (3.0) have combined for seven of Richmond’s 9.0 sacks.
On the other side of the ball, Northwest Guilford has given up 30.0 points per game, including an average of 41.5 points against the past two weeks.
The Vikings run a 4-2-5 defense that is reliant on the secondary to make stops both big and small.
“On defense, they run an even front in the box and essentially play with five DBs,” Denson noted. “In the secondary, they will move around a good bit and that forces us to make reads post-snap. We have some really smart kids who can make those adjustments as they happen.
“Their defensive ends (Rob Lange and Deagan Sowards) are big-bodied kids and two DBs (DaMarco Boyles and Jackson) really stand out. We have to play with our eyes up and be ready to make adjustments. Again, and as always, we must take care of the football.”
Lange, who has 22 total tackles, leads the team with 4.5 TFL and 2.5 sacks. Jackson has 3.0 TFL and 26 total tackles, trailing team leader Nick Varga (27 tackles).
Northwest Guilford has intercepted two passes this season, defended eight passes and recovered one fumble.
Opposite of the Vikings’ defense Friday will be senior quarterback Evan Hodges, who is averaging 215 passing yards per game. He’s completed 47-of-72 attempts for 645 yards and thrown four touchdown passes to just one interception.
Five Raiders — seniors Jayden Hamilton, Amer Morrison and Keonta Pegues, and juniors Jasiah Cooper and Chance Crowder — all have over 100 receiving yards this season.
Cooper and Pegues lead the team with 12 receptions each, while Morrison (190 yards) and Hamilton (174 yards) have team bests in the yardage game. Hamilton and Crowder have each pulled in two receiving touchdowns.
In the running game, Crowder has averaged 52.0 yards per game and scored twice on the ground.
Denson hopes the Raider faithful will continue to make the away trips to support the team, and expects this week to be no different even with an earlier start time.
“We need Raider Nation to stay with us and keep supporting us,” Denson closed. “Those fans in the stands have a huge impact on our kids and they love it.”
Kickoff is set for a half hour earlier than normal Friday. Richmond (1-2) and Northwest Guilford (1-2) will start at 7 p.m. in Greensboro.
