Matt LeZotte is in his 11th year as head football coach at Richmond Hill. He is the longest tenured and winningest coach in school history and currently the second longest tenured coach in Class 6A.
When LeZotte came to Richmond Hill after two years as an assistant at Wayne County—he was the head coach at Aquinas four years prior to going to Wayne County—he fully embraced his new community.
And that community has embraced LeZotte who brought the “Build The Hill” culture with him.
When the Wildcats opened the season Monday night against Glynn County, they were making their debut in a new state-of-the-art stadium that rivals any facility in the state other than perhaps Buford’s new $62 million playpen.
Winning the first game played in the new facility was, of course, important but for LeZotte it was the Wildcats’ way of saying thanks to their neighbors and friends.
“This was for Richmond Hill,” LeZotte said in his post-game press conference. “This win was not just for our team, not just for our school.
“This win is for the entire City of Richmond Hill,” LeZotte said. “This is something (new school, stadium) we’ve been working on for years. Now we have a new home.
“You saw the support we had. The people who came out on a Monday night to support the Wildcats. Man, this is THEIR football team.”
The game was twice delayed from its original Friday night start time due to weather and with a 6 p.m. kickoff there were many commuters still on the highway on their way home from work. Yet, the home side stands were nearly full in the 10,000-seat stadium which one observer dubbed “The Palace”.
The Wildcats will be at home again on Friday when they square off against Everglades, Fl., in the second of an ultra-attractive home schedule. Other home games are with New Hampstead, Camden, Lowndes and Colquitt County.
Coming off a 7-3 season with a revamped offense Richmond Hill is going to have to rely on its defense in the early going while the guys on the other side of the ball find their way but the potential for an excellent season is obvious.
The facilities arm race so prevalent in college football has drifted down to the high school level and the new stadium will finally put the Wildcats on a level playing field with their Region 1-6A peers. In competing against Valdosta, Camden County, Tift County, Colquitt County and Lowndes County the Wildcats have been playing with one arm tied behind their back when it comes to facilities.
A new stadium, of course, does not automatically translate into wins. They are going to be hard to come by if current rankings are any indication. Colquitt is ranked No. 5 in Class 6A by the AJC, Lowndes is No. 7 and Valdosta No. 9. Bucholz, Fl., who the Wildcats play on the road on Sept. 19, is ranked No. 3 in Class 6A in Florida.
Trips to Wayne County, Tift and Valdosta won’t be picnics, either.
Nevertheless, LeZotte believes the talent is there for the Wildcats to have a chance every Friday night if they play with the same intensity they showed against Glynn.
“When we get everything focused, we are going to be special,” LeZotte said. “We are going to be tough to beat if we don’t turn the ball over.”
One game doesn’t make a season and a difficult schedule lies ahead and there’s a lot of growth and development which must take place but it was obvious against Glynn prospects for a successful season are in place.
And, speaking of success, kudos must be handed out to athletic director Stacy Bennett and Richmond Hill staffers, student volunteers and the police department for overseeing everything from traffic, parking and seating. There were little or no issues thanks to what was obviously some excellent, well thought out planning.
