Although the weather has forced them off the field this week, it did not stop the Richmond Hill High School football team from conducting their annual ‘Meet the Players’ event Aug. 21.

A long row of gridiron players lined up one by one across the RHHS cafeteria as they were introduced by Head Coach Brian Brocato. Brocato also introduced his coaching staff: Robbie Flanders, Tony Dragon, Rick Bond, Zach Grage and Chris Scholar.

An impromptu chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’ came from the players after Grage’s name was introduced because the event coincided with him turning a year older.

The cafeteria was packed with parents and supporters of the new roster, to hear Brocato express his excitement about this year’s lineup in addition to informing parents about the booster club and other responsibilities.

Some of the new faces to the team included many players from the Richmond Hill Middle School region championship team. Other new faces include new kicker Lady Cat soccer star Lori Barnes and accomplished ex-Calvary Day School football star Zach Broome.

"Zach has the talent and potential to make a big impact on this team," Brocato said. "He is being looked at by D1 schools. He told me he wanted to come back and play at home and he likes what we’re doing here."

RHHS Lady Cat soccer coach Steve Kollman, who attended the event, said he expects Barnes’ "leg strength and training from her soccer experience to carry over to adding a scoring weapon to the team’s arsenal this season."

Brocato said the recent scrimmage loss to Groves is not representative of the team’s potential as it did not include all the starters.

"We didn’t see it in the scrimmage, but our offense is really starting to gel. We are very experienced and deep in the offensive line and running back positions," Brocato said. "Our defense is not as experienced as it includes just one player from last year, but they’ll have some help as some of the offensive players will play some defense as well."

Brocato said injured quarterback Tyler Mitchell, who is nursing a broken hand, is anticipated to return by the Sept. 5 game versus Johnson game. Meanwhile, he said Eli Thompson and Matt Williams are effectively filling that role.

Next up is the first regular season game Aug. 29 versus Bryan County. Look for a game preview in Wednesday’s paper.

Click here to see a Zach Broome highlight reel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkL2e-gs1FM