SOUTHERN PINES – Richmond took its place back on top of the Southeastern Conference.

Behind the school-record of six rushing touchdowns by Walter Ellerbe Jr., the Raiders cruised to a 69-35 victory over Pinecrest and clinched the SEC championship in the conference’s first year of being back since 2000.

“ It was something we didn’t do last year, it’s a good accomplishment but I hope the kids don’t get satisfied,” Richmond coach Paul Hoggard said.

After Pinecrest’s James Baldwin scored on 37-yard touchdown reception from Ben Williams to give the Patriots a 35-34 lead, the game and the SEC championship belonged to the Raiders.

Richmond (9-1, 4-0) responded with an 11-play 60 yard drive capped by Kaleen Stanback’s 3-yard touchdown which gave the Raiders the lead for good at 41-35.

The Raiders defense forced a Pinecrest punt on the next possession and quickly put another touchdown on the board. Tedarrius Wiley connected with Quayshawn Dumas on a 47-yard touchdown reception on the Raiders’ second play of the drive and Ellerbe ran in the 2-point conversion to push the Richmond advantage to 49-35.

Wiley finished 12-for-14 on the night with 147 yards and the touchdown pass. Dumas reeled in seven catches for 112 yards.

Once again the Raiders defense stiffen and forced Pinecrest to a 3-and-out, giving Richmond at their own 3-yardline. Ellerbe became a one-man wrecking crew on the ground. On the first play, Ellerbe scampered for 12 yards. On the next play, Ellerbe sprinted downfield before being caught from behind for a 61-yard gain. Ellerbe finished the drive with a 24-yard touchdown run on the ensuing play, giving Richmond a 56-35 lead with 11:12 left in the game.

Ellerbe had 28 carries for 237 yards and the six touchdowns, which broke the record set earlier this year by Labarrian Jones against South View.

“It’s hard to replace No. 2 (Jones) when he’s out,” Hoggard said. “But Walter stepped up his game and had a great performance. Kaleen also did a great job running the ball.”

Pinecrest (8-2, 2-2) was forced to punt again on its next possession and Richmond marched methodically down field in a 13-play, 80-yard drive. Ellerbe ended the scoring for the Raider offense with a 3-yard touchdown run to extend the Raiders’ advantage to 63-35 with 3:35 remaining in the contest.

The Patriots attempted to cut into the lead, but Richmond’s Antoine Bostick stepped in front of a Williams pass intended for Baldwin and returned the interception 62 yards for the game’s final score of the night.

Richmond overcame early difficulties with its special teams play. The Raiders allowed Pinecrest to return the opening kick 65 yards for a touchdown. Richmond’s Cody Threadgill had a punt blocked in first quarter. Also, Ellerbe fumbled the opening kick of the second half, which was recovered by Pinecrest and turned into a Raphael Alston 13-yard touchdown run on the next play.

“We struggled on special teams, but on offense we took what the (Pinecrest) defense gave us,” Hoggard said. “We controlled the ball which kept their potent offense off the field. We were also able to stay out of long yardage situations.”

Richmond closes out the regular season Friday at Scotland, kick off is set for 7:30 p.m.