A torrential rain and a two hour lightning delay didn't slow the inevitable outcome for Richmond Hill at Wildcat Field Friday night. Savannah Christian returned from the two hour delay to build on their 7-0 lead and slosh their way to 34 more unanswered points to defeat Richmond Hill in the non-region match up 41-0.
The Raiders took the opening kick and were stopped with good coverage at their own 16 yard line. Richmond Hill appeared to have a chance to get the ball back right away after two short gains, but Quarterback Russell DeMasi found a running lane on third down and got the Raiders better field possession. Later in the drive the Wildcats again gave up a first down on third and long that finally led to Chris Barnwell's 4 yd score with just over 6 minutes left in the first period.
Barnwell, just a sophomore, would be the work horse for the Raiders most of the night and would score a meaningless touchdown again in the fourth period.
After the Raiders recovered the ensuing onside kick at Richmond Hill's 37 yard line the lightning was approaching and the game was stopped.
Savannah Christian picked up where they left off after the break and drove the ball for their second score on DeMasi's 1 yard sneak. If head coach Brian Brocato was hoping the recent rains - and the one that just turned his field in to a quagmire - would help slow the heavily favored Raiders - he had to be disappointed. Instead it seemed it was the Wildcat offense that was stuck in the mud and unable to mount any kind of drive all night.
Richmond Hill's only two first downs came late in the fourth quarter and their first three possessions led to three more Raider scores, turning the game in to a rout.
During their first possession the Wildcats got backed up in to their own end zone and nearly had the punt attempt blocked. The result was a first down for the Raiders at the Wildcat 39 yard line. Four plays later Demasi found Tyler Sumner on a 19 yard touchdown pass.
The Wildcats then fumbled the ball on the next possession and the Raiders took over on the Wildcat 25 yard line. Two plays later the Raiders David Butler scored on a 10 yard run and the extra point kick made it 28-0, but the Wildcats were not through. They would find another way to set up the Raiders for another quick score.
After a three and out punt finally had the Raiders starting from closer to mid field a personal foul against Richmond Hill on the next play put the Raiders at the 27 yard line of Richmond Hill. Then, on a fourth down pass that failed to pick up enough yardage for the first down, the Wildcats were again assessed a personal foul, this time for roughing the passer.
The Raiders were given a first down at the 10 yard line and Butler would score his second touchdown of the night on an eight yard run.
A team as good as Savannah Christian doesn't usually need the kind of help the Wildcats were chipping in for on this night. In the Wildcats’ defense, Richmond Hill has two starting halfbacks currently out with injuries and it showed.
The Raiders improved to 3-0 while Richmond Hill fell to 1-3. With a bye week for Richmond Hill, a week off that they sorely need, Brocato will try to get his team healthy and his chewed up field prepared for a visit from Washington County on September 28, game time 7:30 p.m.