PHOTOS: Raiders at Seventy-First, Week 1

FAYETTEVILLE — The Richmond Raider football team nearly upset one of the top teams in the state during its first game of the season Friday.

Trailing by two possessions early in the second half, Richmond powered its way back twice but fell 35-28 to Seventy-First High School, which made the 3A state championship last year.

Four Raiders recorded a touchdown, including a first-quarter kickoff return by junior Jayden Hamilton.

Richmond tallied three touchdowns in the third quarter. Senior running back Jordan Bostick scored from six yards out before lobbing a three-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Nicholas Griggs on a trick play.

The final score for the Raiders came courtesy of senior running back Javion Smith, a 14-yard carry late in the third. Friday’s game was also Brad Denson’s head coaching debut.

Junior quarterback Evan Hodges took a majority of the snaps Friday, playing the entire second half. His longest pass of the game was a 55-yard completion to junior wideout Amer Morrison.

Richmond’s defense battled a rush-heavy Falcons offense but couldn’t stop the eventual game-winning drive within the first four minutes of the fourth quarter.

A full game story, complete with player and coach interviews, is available here.

The Raiders (0-1) will host Butler High School (0-1) Friday at 7:30 p.m. in their first home game of the season.

Below are photos of Richmond’s season opener, taken by sports editor Kyle Pillar.