Richmond Hill head football coach Matt LeZotte found a perfect way to celebrate his birthday a day later, Friday night.
He watched his football team grind out a 24-20 victory over Camden County in a key Region 1-6A matchup at the Wildcats Stadium before a near-capacity crowd on their homecoming night.
Yet, putting his birthday aside, LeZotte was ecstatic over his team’s workmanlike performance and the fact that the Wildcats have managed to stay in stride despite not being at full strength this season.
Against Camden County, Richmond Hill responded on both sides of the ball when needed all night, notably in the second half when the visiting Wildcats stayed within reach.
“The kids did everything that we asked of them,” gushed LeZotte. “They responded to the coaches and everything that we demanded of them.
“We were down nine starters, and we just beat them. We have been down nine starters for the whole season. We have been playing short-handed the whole season. Our coaching staff has done an unbelievable job.
“I got the best coaching staff in the state, and it showed tonight. It was clearly evident.”
After the Wildcats (6-1, 2-0) took a 3-0 lead on a 23-yard field goal by Cannon Kuryla, they added to their lead when Xavier Harden picked off a pass that helped set up their first scoring drive of the night.
CJ Menzie scored on a two-yard push in the end zone to end a nine-play, 76-yard drive that was kept alive when Camden County jumped offsides on a fourth-down, field-goal attempt.
The Wildcats took a 17-0 lead into intermission when Amire Miller scored a one-yard plunge with 52 seconds left.
However, Camden County (5-2, 0-2) answered to start the second half when they took advantage of a bad punt, gaining excellent field position on the Wildcats’ 49-yard line.
Antwan Williams scooted in from three years out that narrowed the gap to 17-7 with 4;57 left in the third quarter.
After Richmond Hill’s defense stopped Camden County on a fourth down deep in their own end, the Wildcats upped their lead to 24-7 when Marquis Mohammed scored on a five-yard sprint with 10:39 left in the game.
Richmond Hill’s Eli Grant ended a potential scoring drive when he picked off Camden County quarterback Jammie Williams’ pass in the end zone, but the Wildcats couldn’t cement their victory when they went three-and-out.
Instead, Camden County methodically marched down field on a 10-play, 63-ayard drive that culminated when Williams hit Sean Green with a 16-yard scoring strike that suddenly made it game again at 24-14 with 2:05 remaining.
Camden County forced a punt on the ensuing possession, and the visiting Wildcats still had an outside shot with 59 ticks on the clock.
Williams connected with a streaking David Coleman Jr. on 23-yard slant for the game’s final score as time expired.
Richmond Hill junior quarterback Gunner Mobley noted that his team wanted to celebrate with their coach, and all watch themselves take another major step toward the postseason ahead.
“We have a good group of guys who just go out there and play, regardless of who’s injured and who’s not,” said Mobley. “We relied on our preparation and we still have a lot to give.
“It was coach LeZotte’s birthday yesterday, so we knew we had to get a good win. for him. We’re improving every week, and we can only get better.”
Senior wide receiver Jayden Taylor sees the Wildcats’ constant determination and focus as keys for their success in the coming weeks. The Wildcats travel next week to previously unbeaten Valdosta (6-1 ,1-1), which dropped a 19-18 decision to Colquitt County Friday night.
“We just work hard very day in practice, and we had a good week this week,” said Taylor. “We have a big game ahead of us. We work to play every down hard, and we are ready to take it to the next level.”
LeZotte cherished every moment.
“I’m so proud,” beamed LeZotte. “We out prepared everybody.”
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RICHMOND HILL 24, CAMDEN COUNTY 20 |
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| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total | ||
| CCHS | 0 | 0 | 7 | 13 | 20 | |
| RHHS | 3 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 24 | |
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First Quarter |
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RH – Cannon Kuryla 23 FG |
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Second Quarter |
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RH – CJ Kenzie 2 run (Kuryla kick) |
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RH – Amire Miller 1 run (Kuryla kick) |
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Third Quarter |
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CC- Antwan Williams 1 run (Zachary Brown kick) |
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Fourth Quarter |
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RH – Marquis Mohammed 1 run (Kuryla kick) |
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CC- Sean Green 16 pass from Jammie Williams (Brown kick) |
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CC – David Green Jr. 23 pass from Jammie Williams (Brown kick) |
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Records—Camden Coutny 5-2, 0-2 Region 1-6A; Richmond Hill 6-1, 2-0 region. |
WEEK #8 SCHEDULE
FINAL SCORES
Oct. 2, Thursday
SE Bulloch 55, at Groves 16
ECI 37, Savannah High 0
Ware County 57, New Hampstead 19
Oct. 3, Friday
Richmond Hill 24, Camden County 20
Brunswick 60, Bradwell 14
South Effingham 35, Greenbrier 28 (OT)
Benedictine 61, Warner Robins 0
Beach 35, Islands 7
Calvary Day 47, Long County 6
Jenkins 48, Windsor Forest 6
Liberty County 35, Johnson 20
Savannah Christian 42, Savannah Country Day 7
Screven County 19, Bryan County 9
Bethesda 50, Beaufort Academy 0
St. Andrew's 42, Harvest Community School 0
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Photos courtesy of Gilbert Miller Photography
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