Jeff Moeller, sports correspondent
Richmond Hill’s football team saw the same script last year. The Wildcats (3-0) will travel to face Ware County Friday night in search of their fourth straight victory this season.
Last year, they started 4-0 before their season took a different spin, as the Wildcats dropped five of their last seven games, ending with a 45-0 loss to Buford in a state playoff game and an overall 6-5 record.
But this season, Richmond Hill has a senior-laden team, and they have high expectations to reverse their fortunes from last year.
Senior linebacker Layton Steigelman, who recorded a team-high 14 tackles and forced and recovered a fumble in their 31-27 victory over Jenkins last week, sees last week’s victory as an indication of their drive toward the season.
“It was a huge win to show our grit and ability to stay in it as a team,” said Steigelman, who has a team-high 21 tackles for the season. “We were locked in throughout the game and believed in ourselves the whole game.”
He also knows his team wants to set their own pace.
“I think that ‘25 team is in everyone’s mind,” added Steigelman. “We want to repeat what they did, but win the key games unlike them. I think we’re different in our mentality though as we know we still have a lot to learn.”
Steigelman believes the club is beginning to reach another level, noting their 22-21 win over Effingham County in their opener and their comeback victory over Jenkins.
“We are maturing fast, especially having been able to stay in close games so far,” said Steigelman.
Senior running back C.J. Menzie, who ran for 127 yards last week and a team-high 336 for the season, sees a similar picture with his teammate.
“This team is maturing way faster, and I think that is due to most of the offensive line returning this year and having that strong connection between everyone,” offered Menzie. “ But last season isn’t in the back of my mind or the team’s mind because this is a new year with a new team, and we all have something to prove.
“This team is a completely different team than what it was last year; everyone is improving, and we are more prepared than ever right now. This coming game isn’t a statement game; we know what we have to do. I know what I need to do, and if coach (head coach Matt LeZotte) asks me to get the job done, I will get it done.”
LeZotte is looking forward to his team’s matchup at Ware, which enters the game 1-1 and off a bye week. Ware opened their season with two road games, a 22-21 victory over Bainbridge and then a 27-7 loss to Coffee County in a game that had numerous weather delays.
Ware, which was 9-3 last season and started the season 5-0, figures to be a viable opponent in their home opener.
Senior quarterback D. Isaiah White has completed 22 of 52 passes for 162 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Junior running back Moo McKay has rushed for 59 yards with two touchdowns.
“Ware County is exactly the type of program we want on our schedule,” said LeZotte. “They are one of the elite programs in South Georgia and have established a championship standard over a long period of time.
LeZotte is optimistic his club can break a lifetime nine-game winless streak against Ware Friday night.
“That’s what makes Friday night such a great opportunity,” said LeZotte. “We aren’t going to Waycross looking for an easy game. We’re going into ‘The Swamp’ against a championship-caliber program coming off a bye to find out whether we can play our brand of football on the road.”