The last time Richmond Hill’s football team played it was missing a dozen ill players. Coach Matt LeZotte said he thinks that will help the Wildcats when they get back on the field Thursday night.

“That did a lot to build our depth and give the guys a lot of confidence,” he said of the Sept. 30 home game, a 28-7 win over South Effingham that saw players playing out of position and others moving up the depth chart to fill in for sick teammates.

The Wildcats open Region 2-AAAAAA play at 7 p.m. Thursday against Bradwell Institute. It is both military appreciation night and the WSAV Thursday Night Blitz game.

“With the seafood festival being cancelled, we’re hoping we get a good crowd out to rally the community together,” LeZotte said.

Richmond Hill had a scheduled bye last Friday, so it did not lose a game the way it did Sept. 2 when its road game against Brantley County was called off due to Tropical Storm Hermine. That game will not be made up since it was not a region contest.

“We knew we had the bye so last week we were able to put a good plan in place for Bradwell,” LeZotte said. “It gave the guys something to think about over the break.”

LeZotte said the team missed practices as players and coaches evacuated with their families during Hurricane Matthew. They returned to practice Monday.

“We’re maximizing our time on the field,” he added. “We just have to have confidence in the game plan.”

As for the down time, LeZotte doesn’t think it will impact the game.

“Everyone is in the same boat,” he said.

Check back later for a preview of Bryan County’s Friday night game at Metter.