Jeff Moeller, sports correspondent

Two weeks ago, Richmond Hill’s football team traveled down to Ware County for its first road game of the season, and the Wildcats were thoroughly tested in a tight game that went down to the final play.

With the game tied 7-7, Ware lined up for a game-winning field goal that was blocked and returned by Eli Grant for a dramatic, game-winning score.

Now, the undefeated Wildcats (5-0) are back on the road for their first of two straight games, this time against East Coweta, which raised its record to 4-1 with a 31-14 over Lithonia.

This will be the first-ever meeting for the Class 7A teams. Richmond Hill is coming off a 35-7 victory over South Carolina-based Wando, which also was an inaugural meeting.

The Indians are led by senior quarterback Jax Bowles, who has thrown for 1,115 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. Last year, Bowles threw for over 1,700 yards with 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

But Bowles was held in check by Lithonia last week, as he completed 11 off 22 passes for 108 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

Bowles’ prime target has been senior Isaiah Alford, who has caught 23 passes for 412 yards and five scores. Alford is on a fast rack this season, as he caught 26 passes for 375 yards with a touchdown last season.

Richmond Hill head coach Matt LeZotte knows his team will have to slow the Indians’ passing attack.

“They’re a really good football team, and offensively they present some major challenges,” said LeZotte. “Jax Bowles is playing extremely well at quarterback, and Isaiah Alford is a big-time weapon at receiver. Bowles has already thrown for over 1,000 yards, while Alford is averaging over 100 receiving yards per game. Against Douglass, those two connected eight times for 173 yards and two touchdowns.”

It will be a matter of limiting both of their opportunities, says the Wildcats head coach.

“You’re not going to completely take great players out of a game,” added LeZotte. “Our job is to make them earn everything. We have to affect the quarterback, eliminate explosive plays and be disciplined with our eyes in the secondary. The biggest thing is making them consistently drive the field rather than allowing one or two plays to change the game.”

On the side of the ball, East Coweta is led by Antwoin Gates, who has a team-high 31 tackles as well as three interceptions. Gavin Monroe and Delbert Freeman each have 28 tackles, and Chase Gilbert has three interceptions.

They will try to contain Wildcats’ quarterback Gunner Mobley, who has completed 45 of 81 attempts for 594 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions. Mobley had a 15-for-22, 232 yard, three touchdown performance last week in their 35-7 victory over Wando.

CJ Menzie has rushed for 480 yards with three touchdowns, and Eli Grant has caught 17 passes for 316 yards with five touchdowns.

LeZotte also is aware that his offense will have to be in gear

“They have some really talented players on that side as well,” said LeZotte. “Chance Gilbert has already recorded three interceptions and was a preseason Class 7A all-state selection, while Delbert Freeman has been averaging over nine tackles per game.”

Overall, LeZotte sees the game as another litmus test for his team that has certainly shown its mettle and durability.

“East Coweta is a very talented football team that is playing with a lot of confidence right now,” said LeZotte. “They’re 4-1 and have shown they can score points in a lot of different ways.

“For us, success comes down to execution. We have to protect the football, stay ahead of the chains and win our individual matchups. On the road against a team like this, there’s very little room for self-inflicted mistakes. We have to play clean, physical football and execute for four quarters.”