Richmond Hill High School

Wildcats Suffer 2nd Straight Region Loss

West Laurens High School at Richmond Hill High School

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Richmond Hill let a close game at halftime slip away from them on Friday as West Laurens High School, new to the region and visiting for the first time ever, took advantage of four Wildcat turnovers in the third period to score 19 unanswered points and surge to a 40-14 Region 3-AAA win.

As if that news were not bad enough for head coach Brian Brocato he found out after the game one of his key players may not be available to play in the near future.

Calvary transfer turned Richmond Hill standout Zach Broome came out of the game in the second quarter after injuring his knee and after helping to engineer the Wildcats’ first scoring drive.

After the Wildcats’ opening drive ended with a blocked punt and subsequent West Laurens touchdown, Richmond Hill followed with an answer. Broome and Zach Denny took turns, in an impressive five play drive.

With Broome taking the snaps at the shotgun formation, Denny took the first hand-off from Broome for a first down run. Broome faked the next handoff and ran for another. And so it went, surely in spite of the Raider coaching staff having seen this on game films. Finally Denny finished the quick comeback with a 24-yard scamper. Sam Vernon’s extra point kick tied the score. Raider Johnny Smith would have an answer of his own.

The Raider junior ran most of the next drive’s 80 yards, including the go-ahead touchdown just after the second quarter started. He would finish with over 150 yards and two scores for the Raiders. Richmond Hill’s problems with stopping the Raiders’ quick team speed would continue as West Laurens would drive the ball and score again on their next possession to lead 21-7. The Wildcats, if they were to stay with the explosive Raiders, would now have to do it through the air.

After Broome’s departure, Matt Williams took over the quarterback duties and showed a great deal of poise in a bad situation.

Vanquez Butler’s interception late in the second period would set Williams and his offense up at the 34-yard line. Williams would take a sack on the next play, but, on the next one, found a wide open Zach Young streaking down the visiting sideline for a long gain inside the Raider ten-yard line. Williams would then run the ball to the two before Denny scored his second touchdown. Vernon made the game a seven point spread at the half, but the turnover glut was to follow.

Richmond Hill kicked off to start the second half and finally made their best defensive stop of the night: John Phifer’s tackle for loss on third down forced the three and out and the Wildcats took over after the punt on the 45-yard line. The Raider defense would stiffen too.

Perhaps knowing that Broome’s absence cut the Wildcat running chances in half, the Raider defense started playing the pass first in the second half. The result was two consecutive interceptions that led to two straight scores for the Raiders. Two fumbles after that also ended in Raider scores and the good Wildcat chance for victory at halftime had turned in to a blowout in the third period.

For Richmond Hill, 2-3, 0-2 region 3-AAA, it doesn’t get any easier. Coach Brocato afterward committed to re-doubling his team’s efforts in practice this week, insisting his team is not about to give up. However, next up is a trip to Waynesboro on Friday to take on Burke County – a team that has dominated the Wildcats since joining their region several years ago.