Boot Camp: Richwoods seniors say this is the year Knights break playoff drought

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Is this the year?

Richwoods football has not been to the playoffs since 2017. The Knights seniors say it’s about time to change that.

“This is the year we finally break through. We’ve been much more dedicated and we have much more team chemistry,” said Richwoods senior quarterback Bryce Hopkins.

Richwoods has 110 players out this fall, returning six offense starters and four defensive starters, according to head coach Jim Ulrich.

After a 1-8 season in 2022, the Knights won three games in 2023. And then picked up a fourth win when Peoria High had to forfeit its wins after the IHSA ruled the Lions played the season with an ineligible player.

Richwoods traveled to Springfield for a joint practice with a pair of state powers. The players felt like the Knights held their own.

“We’ve been competing with teams like Edwardsville and Sacred Heart-Griffin,” Hopkins said. “So I know we can compete with teams in our conference.”

Hopkins is joined by running back Amarii Scurlock and receiver Jeremiah Boatright as weapons on the Knights offense. All three were big contributors a year ago.

Ulrich feels like his team is ahead of where it was last year as it approaches the season opener.

“Deep down we all feel like this is (the year),” said Richwoods senior tight end Gabriel Martinez. “We are trying to bring back the old Richwoods (success). Like the 1988 team and every single year forward from that.”

The Knights only missed the playoffs four times from 1983-2014, winning state titles in 1984 and 1988. The 2011 team was a state runner-up.

Richwoods opens the season at home against defending Big 12 Conference champ Normal Community on Aug. 30.

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