In previous meetings games between Richmond Hill and New Hampstead have invariably been shootouts. On Friday night at Wildcats Stadium, it was more of a shut out for the homestanding Wildcats who won their third game in as many outings, all at home.
While Richmond Hill did give up 14 points—it had shutouts in its first two games—it was in control from the outset as it rolled to a 38-14 non-region win. New Hampstead is now 1-3 after opening the season with a 14-6 win at South Effingham.
Gunner Mobley, in his first year as a starter at quarterback, showed he is getting more and more comfortable with Coach Matt LeZotte’s offense as he shredded the Phoenix defense for 200 yards and two touchdowns.
The junior has now thrown for 464 yards and five touchdowns as he has completed 35 of 58 passes with one interception going into Friday night’s game at Wayne County.
The game with the Yellow Jackets (0-4) will be the first of three straight road games for the Wildcats who will play at Buchholz, Fl., (2-1) and open Region 1-6A play at Tift County (3-2) following the game at Wayne County. Richmond Hill’s next home game is Oct. 3 against Camden County.
Amire Miller ran for 89 yards and two touchdowns against New Hampstead with DJ Porter adding 74 and a score. Eli Grant, who is becoming Mobley’s favorite target, had six catches for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Richmond Hill led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter and expanded its lead to 24-7 at the half as the Phoenix ended the Wildcats’ scoreless streak at nine quarters. New Hampshire scored again in the fourth quarter to no avail as the Wildcats put up two more scores in coasting to the win.
Grant’s big night gives him 11 receptions for 181 yards on the season, an average of 16.6 yards per catch, and three touchdowns. Nick Cannon caught four passes for 59 yards and Marquis Muhammad had three for 21 and a touchdown.
Defensively, Jaylon Deal dominated the line of scrimmage against the Phoenix as he had 10 tackles with two sacks. Layton Steigelman had four stops and recovered a fumble in the second straight game and Tre Brown also had four tackles.
Region 1-6A is considered to be the strongest region in Class 6A and early results show why. The six teams are a combined 19-2 after four weeks of play. Camden, Valdosta and Lowndes County are all 4-0, Richmond Hill is 3-0, Tift is 3-1 and Colquitt County is 1-1.
