Richmond can’t overcome 12 fumbles, INT
Grant rushes for 177 yards, 3 TDs
By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com
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ROCKINGHAM — It was the type of game that — well, if you hadn’t seen it, you could hardly believe it.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Miles Grant had some big plays, but all too often ran into a brick wall of a Millbrook defense.
Despite seven fumbles, an interception and a change at quarterback, the host Richmond Raiders somehow entered halftime with a seven-point lead.
And for good measure, the Raiders gave away the ball a few more times in the second half. It was a recipe for disaster.
Richmond turned the ball over eight times in the Raiders’ 28-27 loss to visiting Millbrook in the Class 4AA East Region second-round playoff game.
The Wildcats advance to play at Wake Forest, which beat Southeast Conference foe Pinecrest 45-13. Richmond drops to 11-2 and the Wildcats advance to next week’s game with the same record.
The Raiders fumbled the ball 12 times — and lost seven of them — and quarterback Luke Hoggard threw the ball to a wide open Nic Vinson midway through the first quarter. The problem for Richmond was that Vinson plays linebacker for the Wildcats.
It was that type of ballgame for the host Raiders.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Quientel Goodwin struggles for yardage while working through Millbrook defenders.
Shavar Little put Richmond on the board when he worked his way into the end zone with 7:13 left in the first quarter. Millbrook, though, was happy to make a few big plays of its own. Marcus Marshall took the ball 70 yards down the Wildcats sideline on Millbrook’s first play from scrimmage to knot the game 7-7.
Hoggard’s first-quarter interception didn’t do much damage, as the Raider defense forced a punt on Millbrook’s next possession.
After a few more drops, Richmond coach Paul Hoggard put in sophomore Leon Ziegler at quarterback. The change didn’t eliminate the drops, but it worked well enough to finish out the half with a touchdown run with 20.4 seconds before halftime by Miles Grant. After the extra point by Brandon Greene, the Raiders led 14-7 at halftime.
Somehow, the Raiders had the edge on time of possession in the first 24 minutes of play. But it was an unsustainable approach, as a beleaguered Richmond defense finally gave late in the game.
Hillbrook pulled within 14-13 but the Raiders special teams came up big when Jaelin Beugre blocked the extra point attempt. The Raiders took a 21-13 lead with 5:34 to go in the third quarter, with Hoggard back in under center. Richmond held on Millbrook’s next possession, but the Raiders fumbled away the ball — again — the next time the Raiders offense took the field.
Marshall pulled the Wildcats within 21-19 by using a hurry-up offense and the two-point conversion was successful. The game was knotted 21-21 with 1:09 to go in the third quarter.
Richmond linebacker Gus Chambers stopped a 4th and 11 play for a loss of 11 yards, and Millbrook punted. But Richmond fumbled again — the home team’s 12th of the game — and the Wildcats took advantage and a 28-21 lead on the next possession.
On fourth and 1 from the 5-yard line, Grant gained four yards to bring up 1st and goal. Goodwin was stuffed twice, and then Grant once to bring up fourth down. Grant took a pitch to the outside for six points but Brandon Greene missed his first extra point attempt of the night. With 2:06 to play, Millbrook led 28-27.
Marshall’s third-down run on Millbrook’s last possession with under a minute to go earned the Wildcats a first down. Richmond used its final timeout, but Millbrook kneeled one more time to close out the game.
Grant finished with 177 yards rushing on 26 carries and three touchdowns. Goodwin tallied 95 yards on 18 carries.
Notes: Scotland advances with a 28-12 win over East Wake.
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