Second-half turnovers propel Raiders, Denson to first win

ROCKINGHAM — A dialed-in defense for the Richmond Raider football team gave the offense plenty of chances to find the end zone Saturday.

Making up its non-conference game from Friday that was rained out, Richmond Senior High School used a balanced effort to upset a ranked opponent and enter the win column.

Overcoming a hiccup early in the game, the Raiders defeated No. 25 Butler High School 26-7.

Scoring all of its points unanswered, Richmond benefitted from four positive second-half turnovers, two of which led to a touchdown, including a defensive score.

Head coach Brad Denson explained the Raiders were able to “find a way” to earn the win. Denson, making his home opener debut at his alma mater, also notched his first career victory as a head coach.

Continuing to fulfill his respective new role, junior quarterback Evan Hodges and senior running back Jordan Bostick combined for three of Richmond’s four scores.

Each had a rushing touchdown and Hodges connected with Bostick for a passing score. Senior defensive back Chris Covington tallied the other touchdown, a scoop-and-score early in the second half.

Tied 7-7 at halftime, the Raiders ran away with the game in the final two stanzas. Richmond added 12 points in the third quarter and seven points in the fourth.

A strong start by the Richmond defense on the opening series began with a quarterback sack by senior linebacker K’Mauri Morgan. A three-and-out, however, was undone by a botched punt return attempt.

Taking advantage of the second chance, Butler started at midfield and scored 12 plays later. Jayden Williams capped the 50-yard drive with a three-yard rushing touchdown.

The Bulldogs, whose starting quarterback Zach Lawrence didn’t play, added the extra-point attempt to take a 7-0 lead with 3:24 left in the first quarter.

Richmond responded with its lone first-half score on the ensuing march. Hodges captained the 14-play, 80-yard drive that spanned from late in the first to early in the second quarter.

A pitch to senior tailback Javion Smith started the series with a seven-yard gain. Later in the drive, Hodges connected on passes to junior wide receivers Keonta Pegues (10 yards) and Jayden Hamilton (12 yards) to move the sticks.

A nine-yard keeper by Hodges put the Raiders in the red zone. Bostick added a pair of short runs before catching a touchdown pass from Hodges.

On second-and-goal from the four-yard line, Hodges hit Bostick in the flat for the six points. Senior kicker Billy West tied the game 7-7 with 9:25 to go in the half.

Richmond’s defense stifled the Bulldogs’ offense on the next two series, forcing turnovers on downs in Raiders’ territory.

Junior linebacker Terande Spencer, who had a fumble recovery and an interception, made the first hit as a horde of defenders stopped a fourth-and-short attempt on the first series at the Richmond 49-yard line.

Following a three-and-out by Richmond with junior quarterback Domonic Tillman under center, an incompletion on fourth-and-two near the red zone gave the Raiders the ball back.

In the closing 90 seconds of the second quarter, Richmond punted and the Bulldogs’ drive ran out with the clock. Junior defensive end Jordan Hamilton made a tackle-for-loss to send the game into the break tied.

The first of Richmond’s four second-half turnovers came on Butler’s first drive of the third quarter after a Raiders punt.

Senior defensive end Zach Gardner made a stop on third down to force a punt. The snap was fumbled by the Bulldogs and Spencer made the initial hit to keep the play alive.

Swooping in was Covington, who picked up the bouncing ball inside the 20-yard line and returned it for the score.

Richmond took a 13-6 lead with 7:42 to go in the third, a lead that it would hold for the rest of the game.

On the Bulldogs’ very next snap from their own 25-yard line, Spencer kept his big night going with a fumble recovery.

Taking over at the Butler 22-yard line, the Raiders’ offense needed six plays to add to its lead. Bostick converted on fourth-and-three and a keeper by Hodges moved the ball inside the five-yard line.

On second-and-goal from the two-yard line, Bostick moved to his left to find a hole in the line for his second score of the game.

Richmond attempted a two-point conversion but it was no good. With 3:37 to go in the third, its lead grew to 19-7.

Junior defensive tackle Monte Martin helped force a three-and-out and another Bulldogs punt on the ensuing drive with a stop on third down.

Tillman played the next series for Richmond and found senior wide receiver Keyonta Davis for a 54-yard completion on a busted coverage down the right sideline. But on third down inside the 10-yard line, Tillman threw an interception in the end zone.

Thwarting the Bulldogs’ next drive was a near interception by senior defensive back Jarah Cook and a Spencer sack. Making Butler go three-and-out again, the punt would lead to Richmond’s final score of the game.

With Hodges in again at signal caller, he found Hamilton for a big gain on third-and-seven. Catching the ball in the left flat, Hamilton turned a short gain into a 55-yard burst by eluding several defenders and breaking a couple of tackles.

Getting down to the three-yard line, Hodges capped the game’s scoring two plays later. Muscling his way to his left, Hodges split a pair of crashing defenders and extended the ball across the goal line for the touchdown.

West’s PAT was good to extend the lead to 26-7 with 5:16 to play.

Richmond’s defense wasn’t done creating turnovers, as its next one came on Butler’s next offensive snap. Senior linebacker Joe Parsons got into the backfield to force a fumble, which deflected off Morgan and was recovered by junior defensive lineman Jaylen Wilson.

With the clock winding and Butler making a march down the field a possession later, Spencer iced the win with an interception in the end zone with 43 seconds left in regulation.

The offense took a knee to burn the clock and officially put the Raiders in the win column.

Evening their record to 1-1 this season, the Raiders will travel to non-conference Cardinal Gibbons High School (1-0) next Friday. Kickoff in Raleigh is set for 7 p.m.

The Crusaders, who were a final four team in the NCHSAA 4A state playoffs last season, did not play in Week 2. Their game with Mallard Creek High School was canceled due to weather.

The Richmond Observer will publish a photo gallery of Richmond’s home opener Saturday.

Sports editor’s note: Official stats and game totals were not available at the time of publication.