Richmond Hill makes statement in 47-28 blowout win at New Hampstead

Wildcats move to 3-0; Wayne County up next

Come to Lets Create, 10471 Ford Ave. in Richmond Hill, and show your Wildcat pride! Tonight is about your player or cheerleader. Make a Wildcat door hanger for yourself; bring them so they can make one, too.

RHHS — Come to Lets Create, 10471 Ford Ave. in Richmond Hill, and show your Wildcat pride! Tonight is about your player or cheerleader. Make a Wildcat door hanger for yourself; bring them so they can make one, too.

Report by Travis Jaudon, sports correspondent

POOLER – If it wasn’t already, “Joshua Troupe” became a household name around Richmond Hill after the senior running back’s standout performance on Friday, Sept. 6 in a 47-28 road victory for the Wildcats over host New Hampstead High School. Troupe rushed for 244 yards and four touchdowns and Richmond Hill (3-0) totaled 396 rushing yards and six ground scores as a team. It was the 100th career game at Richmond Hill for head coach Matt LeZotte (54-46); his Wildcats are now 3-0 for the first time since 2017.

Lee Johnson’s blocked kick return touchdown got the scoring started for LeZotte’s club in Friday’s non-region contest played at Pooler Stadium. A fumble recovery later in the first quarter set-up a Caleb Easterling direct-snap rushing touchdown and the Wildcats never looked back. Johnson finished with eight tackles and the return TD while Gabe Bauman logged a team-high nine tackles including one sack. RHHS is averaging 41 points per game through its first three games this season.

On Friday, 40 of the team’s 45 offensive snaps were running plays. Easterling scored touchdowns on both of his carries versus the Phoenix (2-2). The teams combined for 21 points in the third quarter – all 21 points (14 for RHHS) came in just 45 seconds of gametime. Richmond Hill, which begins region 1-6A play on Sept. 27 versus Tift County, has not trailed since the end of the first quarter at Glynn Academy on Aug. 23 when it was behind 12-6. Since that time, the Wildcats have outscored opponents 117-28.

Troupe has 497 yards and six touchdowns rushing through three games while Easterling has five scores on the ground and an interception return touchdown. As a team, Richmond Hill is averaging 356.7 rushing yards while allowing just 13.3 points per contest. Quarterback Kirk Scott, who was 2-for-5 passing on Friday, has 210 rushing yards and 98 passing yards on the year. The senior has two scores on the ground and two more through the air.

New Hampstead senior quarterback Ra'Shawn Truell was as good as advertised against a stingy Richmond Hill defense. He threw for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Ben Hockman. A fumbled snap and an interception off a deflection cost him and the hosts in the end, however. The Phoenix play in Blackshear at Pierce County next week while Richmond Hill hosts Wayne County and its first-year head coach John Mohring.

Kickoff at Wildcat Stadium on Sept. 13 is set for 7 p.m.

RHHS – 14 - 13 - 14 - 06 – 47

NHHS – 07 - 07 - 07 - 07 – 28

Halftime: RHHS, 27-14.

Records: RHHS 3-0; NHHS 2-2.

Next: RHHS vs. Wayne Co. (Sept. 13); NHHS at Pierce Co. (Sept. 13).

Travis Jaudon is a sports correspondent for the Bryan County News. You can email Travis at travisLjaudon@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @JaudonSports.