From staff reports
The Richmond Hill Wildcats picked up their fourth win of the season Friday night, beating Lakeside High School 34-6 in an away game near Augusta.
The Wildcats struck early and often, getting a score on a touchdown from running back Aaron Bedgood, who took the pigskin more than 40 yards to the end zone with a host of Panther defenders in pursuit.
Bedgood turned on the jets and easily beat his pursuers to put the Wildcats first six points on the board.
A kick by steady Joseph Petrino put the game at 7-0 in favor of the Wildcats.
That lead would never be in jeopardy as the Wildcats continued to rack up the points and run up the score.
The second score of the night came with no time on the first quarter clock as Kasey Green rifled a 90-yard bomb to speedy Sam James. James never broke stride until he crossed the goal line in Green's longest completion of the season.
Petrino again added the extra point to make a 14-0 lead with the Panthers looking on.
Four minutes later, the Wildcats again found the end zone on a 67-yard scamper by Maurice Smith. Petrino again kicked the PAT and the Panthers were looking at a 21-point deficit.
Lakeside took the second half kickoff but went four and out as the Wildcat defenders wouldn't allow any light in the defensive front or secondary.
A pair of third quarter Petrino field goals, one from the 36-yard line and one from 42-yard line were true right through the uprights and the Wildcats led by 27.
Later, Robert "Bert" Henderson added a touchdown from 12-yards out for his first score of the season. Petrino's extra point closed out the Wildcat scoring for the night at 34 points.
While all cylinders of the team were firing, Coach Matt LeZotte said there is still work to be done.
"The guys did great. I was really proud of them but I thought the fields goals should have been touchdowns," LeZotte said.
He said the team will need to bring its A-game once conference play starts against Bradwell Institute on Oct. 14 in a rare 7 p.m. home game.
"We have a lot to work to do," he said. Among the things the Wildcats will work on, he said, is eliminating “silly penalties.”
Lakeside's only score of the night came with the fourth quarter ticking done on a three-yard run from scrimmage. The extra point was wide and the battle of the 'Cats ended with the Wildcats on top 34-6.
Richmond Hill faces the South Effingham Mustangs in a Friday night home game at 7:30. The game against the Mustangs is the Wildcats last non-conference game.