ROCKINGHAM — Standout plays by Ty Covington and Chance Crowder helped Richmond Senior earn a 46-6 win over Pine Forest in front of a homecoming crowd at Raider Stadium on Friday.
Covington put the Raiders on the board in the first quarter with his first of three touchdowns of the first half.
In the second quarter, Cam Everett made it into the end zone before Covington had a pair of pick sixes — rushing more than 80 yards on each play — taking the game to 26-0 at halftime.
Members of several graduating classes celebrating reunions made a lap around the track during halftime prior to a performance by the band.
With less than six minutes to go in the third quarter, Crowder ran in his first touchdown.
Pine Forest fumbled on the following kickoff, with Maurice Lemon making the recovery for Richmond. Crowder then scored again, making two touchdowns within a minute of gameplay.
Richmond Senior's Chance Crowder evades Pine Forest's Amori Wiggins as he approaches the end zone for his second touchdown within a minute of gameplay on Oct. 2.
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer
The Raiders kept the Trojans from gaining any momentum with Alijah Flowers picking off a pass, which later translated to another touchdown, this time from R.J. Moore.
As the clock ticked down near the two-minute mark, Pine Forest quarterback Rylan Johnson completed a pass to Calvin Towsend for the Trojans’ only score of the game.
This was Richmond’s second game of the week, after returning to face Rolesville on Monday — in a game that had been halted due to weather — and suffering a 35-0 loss.
“We pieced some things together tonight,” head coach Brad Denson said, noting that Cameron Smith did “really well” as quarterback in the second half.
“But Ty Covington being Ty Covington out here and defense just putting them behind the chains all night really makes things happen,” Denson continued, also remarking on Crowder’s consecutive TDs. “When Chance decides to play, Chance is really dang good … he’s a tough kid and really understands our offense.
Denson said he was proud of the team for securing the win and told the players that the goal is to win the conference championship.
“We can’t slip up,” he said. “We’ve got to do it every Friday night and that was just one of five.”
The Raiders travel to Fayetteville next week to face the Jack Britt Buccaneers.
Pine Forest quarterback Roman Mason slides to a stop in front of Richmond Senior's Tristan Chavis.
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer
Richmond’s JV squad had similar results at Pine Forest on Thursday with a 40-0 win in the Mid-South Conference opener.
According to coach Patrick Hope, the Raider defense stopped the Trojans’ opening drive and first scored with a 15-yard run by Tyri Wormley.
In the second quarter, Jacob Stogner completed a pass to Chase Wilson, who ran 37 yards for a touchdown. That was followed by a two-point conversion score by Ayden Conaway.
Conaway later pushed through four yards for his second TD to take the game to halftime with Richmond ahead 20-0.
The following is a recap from Hope on the second half:
“In the third quarter, a 55-yard touchdown drive was capped off by a 1-yard run by Caleb Smith, and a two-point conversion pass from Jacob Stogner to Julius Bowden increased the score to 28-0.
“After two consecutive Zayvion Brewington interceptions on Pine Forest possessions, Smith connected with TJ Watkins on a14-yard touchdown pass to increase the lead to 34-0.
“After a third Raider interception by Justus Kersey in the fourth quarter, the Raiders capped the scoring with a 33-yard touchdown run by Jafourtae Bridges.
“The Raider defense contributed to three of four takeaways in the game, with the fourth coming on fumble recovery on a kickoff by Brewington.”
According to Hope, the JV defense has only allowed 46 points in five games, “and only 22 of those points have come in the second half.”
The JV Raiders are now 3-2 on the season, and 1-0 in conference. They will host Jack Britt Oct. 8 with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m.
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