said the Wildcats last-minute heroics are a sign of a program that is growing up.

"We’ve had some games within our grasp the last few years and let them slip away by not finishing," he said. "But this time we overcome setbacks .... fumbles, turnovers, breakdowns in coverage. This game we overcame those things and were able to come out and finish strong and pull out the win. I think that shows the maturity in the program. Not just maturity in the kids, but in the coaches too."

Guy also praised the Red Terrors, who fell to 2-2 and 0-1.

"They’re a very athletic team and their coaches do a very good job of preparing their guys," he said. "And they also had two weeks of preparation. That’s why this was such a great victory. It wasn’t that we were able to win the game, it was that we had to overcome a good coaching staff with good athletes who had two weeks to prepare and stop us."

Early on, it looked like the Wildcats had an edge. Richmond Hill led 14-10 at halftime on TDs from Allen, who finished with 127 yards rushing and a TD on 26 carries, and Fitzgerald, who caught a TD pass from Allen just before the second quarter ended.

Senior running back David Katzman added 82 yards on 20 carries as the Wildcats totaled 227 yards of total offense.

Senior defensive end Zach Stegner led the Richmond Hill defense with six solo tackles. Junior linebacker Nathan Soliata, senior linebacker Zahne Roberts and senior defensive back Quanzel Blow each had four solo tackles.

"They played a great game. Our defense is really young, with only four seniors starting," Guy said. "They’re having to grow up fast and I feel like they’ll get better as the season progresses. Our coaches do an excellent job on that side of the ball and the kids are eager to do it right. The biggest thing we’ve got is unselfish kids. Not all of them can get on the field at the same time, but they still cheer each other on, coach each other up and help each other out. I’m really pleased with that part of it."

Katzman, the Wildcats’ leading rusher so far in 2012 with 405 yards and four TDs on 50 carries, said the win was a big one.

"Having that first region win is great, especially against Glynn," he said. "They have beat us every year since we have been put in the same region together, so being the team to come out on top this time is much more exciting than the ones in the past."

But the Wildcats can't get overconfident, he said.

"It still is jut the first region win, there are more games to play and anything can happen so we still must be humble in this victory and continue to work like we have been," Katzman said. "Our biggest opponent has always been ourselves and it still is."

Guy, who by Monday was ready to put the Wildcats win in the record books and move on to this week's contest, said he hopes players keep focused on what lies ahead.

"If you have ever plowed a field with a mule, you know you can’t look back or you’ll be plowing all over the place and the mule will have you dragged all over the field," he said. "It’s focusing on the task at hand. There will be a point in time when you can look back on what you've done, but right now we don’t have time to look back. It’s time for us to focus on today and our next opponent."

Richmond Hill plays host to Groves (0-4, 0-1) on Friday night for homecoming. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

Note: Check out the Sports Blog at bryancountynews.net on Thursday for more on the Wildcats.