Richmond Hill football coach Matt LeZotte and his staff are in the beginning stages of planning spring football practice which will take place starting the first of May. They’ll be looking to replace a lot of graduating talent off last fall’s 7-3 team which, despite not making the Class 6A state playoffs, is still considered to be a near equal to the 2019 Final Four team.
The Wildcats had eight players sign contracts – the letter of intent has been ruled null and void by the NCAA—to play at the next level. LeZotte and his staff will be using those eight signees, five of whom will be playing at the FCS level or higher, as an example of how hard work and effort can bring an opportunity.
“I’m very proud of those guys that signed,” LeZotte said. “There’s no other way to describe it.
“I think it sends a message to our young guys that are coming back. It tells them there’s a shot to win a chance to play where it’s so hard to play,” LeZotte said. “It shows with a lot of hard work you can achieve your goals.
“You can not play college football unless you love it. Period. It is not fun. You either love the sport or you don’t and you create opportunity or you don’t. I firmly believe these guys are going to create an opportunity for themselves.”
Offensive lineman Thomas Zimbalatti and cornerback/wide receiver/quarterback Caleb Easterling signed last December with Murray State and Furman, respectively.
The most recent signees were linebacker Lee Johnson with James Madison, running back Joshua Ulrich-Troupe with Kennesaw State, defensive back Aiden Grant and linebacker Gabe Bauman with Berry, long snapper Jaxson Wagner with West Georgia and defensive back Brandon McDonald with Charleston Southern.
Signing day marks the culmination of years of hard work, practice and playing leading to – as LeZotte said – an opportunity to take their talents to the next level.
On this particular day it was extra meaningful for LeZotte and his brother, defensive coordinator Tony LeZotte, when Johnson chose to sign with Sun Belt Conference power James Madison which is also their alma mater.
Both were members of the Dukes’ 2006 FCS national championship team. Matt was a senior quarterback and Tony, who is one of JMU’s all-time greats, was a freshman All-America defensive back. Tony was an All-America and Colonial Athletic Association all-conference player each of his four years.
“In all the years I’ve been coaching Lee is the first player of mine to sign with James Madison,” LeZotte said. “I’m very proud that they assessed him and found him good enough to play for them.
“We’ll always have something in common. I’m really proud of and happy for all of these guys but with Lee signing with James Madison it does feel a little bit different. I’ve reached out to James Madison about a lot of guys that have come through here and it’s great to have them think he’s good enough. He’s a great kid.”
Johnson played linebacker and registered 94 tackles and was Region 1-6A Defensive Player of the Year. He also earned honorable mention all-state honors with the AJC. His fellow linebacker Bauman had 97 stops and he and Grant, who had 45 tackles, will be joining former Wildcat Shaquan Brooks at Berry.
Troup-Ulrich could wind up being a steal for the Owls who are now an FBS program as a member of Conference-USA. He ran for 1,399 yards and had five games of 100 yards or more including a school record 277 yards against New Hampstead, one of three in which he topped the 200-yard mark.
Ulrich led the region in rushing and was also a first team pick. At 6-2, 210 pounds, he was a durable back as evidenced by his 221 carries. In five region games he had 592 yards on 117 attempts including a 31 for 210 yards effort against Colquitt.
Zimbalatti was also first team all-region as was Easterling. Second team honors were earned by Grant and Bauman.
Johnson said he thinks the seniors’ legacy will go beyond their accomplishments on the field.
“The biggest thing is leadership off the field,” Johnson said. “It’s easy to lead on the field by playing well but leading off the field by example is important, too. Being a good leader is helping keep kids out of trouble and being a good role model.
“For the young guys coming back my message would be: if you’re willing to pay the price, here’s the reward.”
