SOUTHERN PINES – Head Coach Patrick Hope said the Richmond Raider junior soccer team could still achieve their goals for the season by starting with a win in the opening game of the Sandhills Athletic Conference.
The JV Raiders took a step in that direction on Thursday, taking advantage of a scoring first half to beat Pinecrest High School 27-0. Richmond scored 21 points in the second quarter.
After starting the season with three straight losses, the JV Raiders have won each of their last two games by an aggregate score of 61-6.
Richmond’s defense set the tone of the game early by intercepting a pass to Pinecrest’s opening attack given to second defender Jamison Jones.
The JV Raiders offense first found the end zone in a one-yard run by freshman Joesiya Cole, who scored two points in beating Overhills last week. The point after the attempt wasn’t good, but Richmond led 6-0 in the first quarter.
The kickstarter for the second quarter that made the difference was a one-yard rushing score from Isaiah Lockhart in her sophomore year, who also scored a touchdown last week. Freshman kicker Billy West added the PAT to create a 13-0 lead.
The JV Raiders special teams put up the next score when the second Lareese Swinnie blocked a punt.
That enabled freshman quarterback Dillon Veach to connect with second wide receiver Tristian Wall for a 42-yard touchdown pass. Another West PAT gave the Raiders a 20-0 lead.
The end of the game before half-time summer was a one-yard rushing touchdown from freshman returner Javion Smith. West secured the final point by splitting the posts.
“This was a great win to start our second season of Conference Play,” said Hope. “It was also our first time on the road this season.
“The defense forced several negative games and played very physically to earn their first shutout of the season,” he added. “The offense held Drives with a solid running game and timely passes.”
Hope also noted that over 60 players watched game time, which was a “great reward for kids who have worked hard all season”.
The JV Raiders (2-3, 1-0 SAC) will return home next Thursday for another SAC game against Hoke County High School. The kick-off is at 6:30 p.m.
Note: Head coach Patrick Hope provided stats and game information for this item.