A former Richmond Raider football standout is changing his college plans.

Former Raider offensive lineman Kevin Alfonso signed a letter of intent in February to attend Feather River Junior College in California.

Alfonso’s first crack at the SAT yielded a 700 score — His first choice, Catawba College, required an 820.

But after later retaking the SAT, Alfonso scored an 840 — good enough for Alfonso to get into the North Carolina four-year school.

So, California is out and Catawba College is in for Alfonso.

At Catawba, Alfonso will be reunited with former Raider running back Labarrian Jones, who signed with the school on signing day.

He’ll play either guard or center.

Getting the new test scores was a “big sigh of relief,” Alfonso said.

“I wanted to keep playing football, and this will mean I can stay closer to home,” Alfonso said.

Catawba is located in Salisbury, about 100 miles from Rockingham.

Quite a bit closer to home than California.

And, of course, the chance to play with a teammate like Jones is an added bonus.

“It’s going to be nice to keep blocking for him,” Alfonso said.

Richmond head football coach Paul Hoggard said the program will miss Alfonso.

“Kevin was a two-year starter for us,” Hoggard said.

“He was an outstanding offensive lineman.”

Before leaving for college, however, there’s one more piece of high school football business on Alfonso’s agenda: He will play in the East-West All-Star Game, slated for Wednesday, July 21 at Jamieson Stadium on the campus of Grimsley High School in Greensboro.

The All-Star Game appearance will cap off a rare all-star game two-fer for Alfonso: Along with teammate Alex Coulthard, Alfonso also played in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas last December.

Alfonso said he’s looking forward to playing in the July game, as well.

“I’m just going to go there and play as hard as I can,” Alfonso said.

n Contact sports editor David Vantress at 997-3111, ext. 14 or via email at dvantress@yourdailyjournal.com