Richmond Hill High School

Wildcats hold off Savannah High 28-22

Savannah High School at Richmond Hill High School

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Richmond Hill notched its second win in as many tries Friday night at Wildcat Field. They made their three quarters of offense be just good enough to allow a solid fourth quarter of defense to hold off their opponents. The Wildcats edged Savannah High 28-22 in the non-region match.

For the second game in a row, the Wildcat offense used a balanced attack to gain the advantage.

Fresh off high accolades from his coach and local media for his performance two weeks ago Saturday at the helm of the new offense, Matt Williams threw for 110 yards and a touchdown to Zach Young while running for another. On the ground, Zach Denney and Shaquille Walker grounded out almost one hundred yards of rushing from the running back positions with Denney providing Richmond Hill’s go ahead touchdown.

Richmond Hill’s newest weapon may have been the most impressive of all. Newcomer Zach Broome opened the game at quarterback and ran the first play for 20 yards and a first down. It would be a sign of things to come for the Wildcats and a look that Williams and Broome alternated at all night long - effectively keeping the Jacket defense on its heels.

It was his team’s "heart" that head coach Brian Brocato would give credit to afterward. "We played hard throughout, had some young guys step up and make big plays...the defense came on in the second half, but it was really a team effort."

The first big blow came on a scramble and throw from Williams to Broome good for 70 yards to set up Williams’ five yard rushing score. Broome would finish the game with 130 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown run of his own that came in the critical third period of the see-saw game. RHHS senior linebacker Kevin Bodaford picked up his first of two fumble recoveries on the Blue Jackets’ next possession and Williams hooked up with Zach Young on a 20 yard touchdown pass. However, two failed extra point attempts kept the Wildcats advantage to just 12 points.

The Blue Jackets finally got their offense going and would pull ahead with two second quarter scores moving mainly on the ground. Rayshaun Leeks scored on a three-yard run and fullback Zimmie Curry scored after a midfield drive was set up by a Williams interception – the only Wildcat turnover of the game.

Richmond Hill just missed a chance to take the halftime lead when Sam Vernon’s 50-yard field goal try went just wide left.

Broome gave the Wildcats back the lead after they went to halftime down 14-12. His 40-yard run was followed by a Williams pass to Shaquille Walker for the two-point conversion. The Blue Jackets would score on their next possession to re-take the lead on a Jamal Bowers to Rayshaun Leeks 57-yard touchdown pass. That would set up Denney’s heroic 47-yard touchdown run on the Wildcats next play from scrimmage. As if all the offensive excitement the home crowd had endured for three quarters wasn’t enough, they were about to be entertained by some nail biting defense.

Richmond Hill would hold Savannah High on their next four possessions to preserve the win with some solid defensive play. Bodaford and Franklin Brown both recorded sacks and the Wildcat defensive backfield, that had been suspect earlier, was suddenly all over the field.

DJ Stembridge, Josh Bryant, Trey Burke, Mark Smith, Zach Young, and Ryker Hall all recorded pass break ups for the Wildcats.

The Wildcats take on Johnson High at home next Friday in a make-up game and have a good chance at going 3-0 to open a season for the first time in a very long time.