‘Dominance’ by JV Raiders leads to shutout of Butler

MATTHEWS — The momentum within the Richmond Senior High School football program is also growing at the junior varsity level.

A week after falling by one possession in its season opener, the JV Raider football team put on a clinic of offense and defense Thursday at Butler High School.

Recording a shutout in what head coach Patrick Hope said was “dominance in all three phases” of the game, Richmond blanked the JV Bulldogs 32-0.

“I was impressed with our level of play in our first road game,” Hope said. “Three solid days of preparation turned into tonight’s performance, so we are learning how to win.

“Both QBs (Collin Hill and BJ Hinson) having success was good also,” he continued. “They cheered each other on as they took turns leading drives. The defensive line and linebackers made life miserable for the Butler offense, as they applied pressure to the QB all night.”

Another note Hope added was Thursday’s victory was the first win in August for the JV Raiders since the 2019 season.

A scoreless first quarter by both teams yielded a pair of scores for the JV Raiders before halftime.

Hill, a sophomore quarterback in his first season, connected with fellow sophomore Nyjier Allen for a touchdown pass to get the scoring started. Allen caught the score over a defensive back in the left corner of the end zone.

The conversion was unsuccessful. Leading 6-0, Richmond was set to receive the ball later in the quarter, but freshman returner CJ Covington muffed the punt return.

But Covington wasted no time making up for his mistake. On Butler’s first play from scrimmage on its next drive, Covington intercepted a pass and returned it to the end zone for a pick-six.

Again, the conversion attempt for Richmond was no good. Heading into the half, the JV Raiders led 12-0.

The third quarter followed a similar pattern of scoring for the JV Raiders, who added two more touchdowns, both on the ground.

Freshman running back Donovan Jones weaved his way in from six yards out for his first score of the season. Hinson later kept the ball on a keeper and punched into the end zone.

At the end of the third quarter, Richmond held a hefty 24-0 lead.

Freshman running back Ty Covington iced the scoring early in the fourth quarter with a one-yard plunge. It was his team-leading second rushing score of the season.

Sophomore Hayden Smith pulled in a pass from Hill for the team’s first successful two-point conversion attempt of the game.

Richmond (1-1) will host Cardinal Gibbons next Thursday for another non-conference game. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.

Sports editor’s note: Head coach Patrick Hope contributed scoring plays and game information. No official stats were available at the time of publication.