Richmond Hill came from behind for a 24-17 win at Pierce County in a game that came down to the last play to move to 2-0 on the season.

Down 24-10, the Bears scored with five minutes left in the game to pull to within 24-17, then recovered their on-side kick. Pierce gave it one last shot on fourth down with 20 seconds left, but D.J. Lewis intercepted the pass at the goal line and all the Wildcats had to do was take a knee on one snap to secure the victory.

The game started off slowly and was tied 3-3 at half time. Kicker Joseph Petrino kept the Wildcats in the game with two more field goals after Pierce scored to keep Richmond Hill just one point down at 10-9.

“He’s the best kicker in the nation,” Wildcat Coach Matt LeZotte said. “He put us in a situation to be successful.”

After Richmond Hill scored its first touchdown of the game to go up 15-10, the Wildcats attempted a two-point conversion. The ball was fumbled but Aaron Bedgood scooped it up and scored to give Richmond Hill a 17-10 lead.

Kasey Green, getting his second start at quarterback, was 8-for-16 passing for 149 yards and one touchdown. Receiver Sam James caught four passes for 119 yards and a TD, while Maurice Smith ran the ball 17 times for 99 yards and one score.

Brian Hughes, who had been slated to start at quarterback but was not allowed to dress for the first game two weeks ago, started at safety and had 12 tackles and three forced fumbles.

“That was the best game of his career,” LeZotte said. “He just physically imposed his will on them.”

LeZotte said Hughes began taking reps in practice on defense last week.

“I’m proud of the way he responded to this adversity,” LeZotte said.

Richmond Hill hosts Grovetown next Friday for homecoming. The Warriors are 1-2. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Bryan County, meanwhile, fell to 1-1 after a 14-0 loss at home to McIntosh County Academy.

“We knew it was going to be a struggle,” Redskins Coach Allen Cartwright said. “They were the better team on both front lines.”

Bryan County had trouble running the ball, and every time quarterback Gage Hagan dropped back to pass he was hurried or sacked.

“We’re very young on the offensive line,” Cartwright said. “But we have to keep working. There’s no teacher like experience.”

The Buccaneers scored with three minutes to play in the first quarter on an interception off of a tipped pass, then went up 14-0 on a 40-yard pass 64 seconds before half time. The teams traded possessions in the second half with neither really threatening to score.

“We played great defense,” Cartwright said. “We kept ourselves in the game.”

Senior Malik Bostick was injured on MCA’s first play from scrimmage and after going to the locker room with a trainer he emerged with his right arm in a sling. He did not return to the game. Cartwright said he thinks Bostick’s should may have popped out of place.

“He’s our best defensive player and we only gave up one touchdown on defense,” Cartwright said. “That’s a good take-away from this game.”

Statistics for Bryan County were not immediately available.

The Redskins begin a stretch of seven consecutive Region 2-AA games next Friday when they travel to Toombs County. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.