PEMBROKE — If the Richmond junior varsity football team is looking to go undefeated and repeat as conference champions, like last season, its on the right path.
After a bye last week, the Raiders showed they were well-rested and ready to play Thursday evening by blanking Purnell Swett on the road. They scored five touchdowns in the first half and then tacked on two more after the break in order to grab a 49-0 victory.
“I felt like we took care of business after a bye week and made a statement in this game,” head coach Patrick Hope said. “Our defense was very aggressive and played hard to keep them backed up.”
Richmond found the end zone on its first four offensive possesions: a 5-yard run from LaCyruss Ellerbe, a 53-yard pass from quarterback Noah Altman to Jakolbe Baldwin, an end-around rushing touchdown for Tremel Jones and another Ellerbe rushing score.
Prior to Ellerbe’s second touchdown, Kyjuan Wall blocked a punt on fourth down and the ball was recovered by C.J. Tillman in the end zone. The Raiders went into halftime with a 35-0 advantage.
Azariah Roseboro ended off a third-quarter drive with a one-yard score, and then Austin Gallops capped off the team’s scoring with a short-yardage touchdown of his own.
“We were able to get a lot of guys touches on offense and try some new thing. I was also pleased to see special teams contribute to the win,” Hope added.
The win helped Richmond (4-0, 1-0 SAC) remain unbeaten and start conference play off on the right foot. It took down non-conference opponents Wake Forest, Pine Forest and Butler in the first three games, but now has its focus on becoming the first squad to win the Sandhills Athletic Conference JV football championship.
It will put its perfect record on the line next Thursday at Pinecrest.
Reach sports editor Leon Hargrove Jr. at 910-817-2673 and follow the sports section on Twitter @RCDailySports.