Richmond Hill High School

Wildcats Lose a Close One

Sol C. Johnson High School at Richmond Hill High School

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Head coach Brian Brocato knows something about ending streaks. His team did it in his first game as head coach in 2006 when they ended a two year slide on opening night against Bryan County. Similarly, Johnson High School came in to Friday Night’s game at Richmond Hill with a two year, 25-game monkey on their back.

Atomsmashers Head Coach Harry Miles and his team were able to hold back a late fourth quarter Wildcat comeback to end the streak 20-14. The similarities didn’t make the loss any easier to swallow for Brocato and his team.

"We can’t turn the ball over in the red zone like we did and expect to win games," Brocato said. "When we look at the game tapes, I think we will see that we outplayed them statistically, but stats won’t win you games either."

Richmond Hill was hoping to start the season 3-0 for the first time in more than a decade, and looked like it might as the offense picked up where it left off in last week’s win against Savannah High.

Quarterback Matt Williams found wide out Zach Broome on their team’s fourth play from scrimmage for a 32-yard strike that went in and out of the Johnson defenders’ hands before finding Broome at the 11-yard line. The Richmond Hill junior transfer from Calvary Baptist parlayed the opportunity into a three-yard touchdown run. Sam Vernon’s extra point kick made it 7-0 early, but it wasn’t going to be easy against the determined Atomsmashers.

Johnson answered immediately with a long drive of their own, mixing the run and pass before senior running back Vernon White scored on a five-yard run. The kick failed and as fast, as both offenses started, both defenses would step up.

Johnson forced a three-and-out on Richmond Hill’s next possession. Then Richmond Hill safety Tyler Mitchell made his first of two interceptions for a stop. When the Wildcats finally drove the ball again, the first of two key fumbles stopped it - this one at the 15-yard line. The second came after Richmond Hill opened the second half with a long drive. With first down at the one-yard line, Broome failed to corral a bad snap from center and Johnson recovered the fumble.

The Smashers took full advantage by driving the ball quickly and scoring just before the start of the fourth quarter on a Christian Cooper pass to Jareal Smith. The extra point pass to Rasheen Washington put Johnson in the lead 14-7. Cooper kept the momentum going on his team’s next possession and passed his way to another score, a five-yard strike to Tori Worlds. Johnson led 20 to 7 and the Wildcat faithful were waiting for a finish.

After the ensuing onside kick attempt gave Richmond Hill the ball on the 45-yard line, Williams wasted no time. He hit his favorite target again: Broome, streaking down the side line for a 41-yard catch and score with five minutes still to play.

The Wildcats would get the ball back with two minutes left and Williams ran, and passed his way to three more first downs to the Johnson 26-yard line. A final end zone pass failed with an interception and the comeback ended with it.

It doesn’t get any easier this week as the team travels to Thomson for their 3-AAA opener against a team who were three point losers this past week at powerhouse Statesboro. While Friday night’s results did not speak well for their chances, the Wildcats have proven they do have some weapons that can make a difference or at least make the game interesting.