The last four years have marked the best stretch of football at Richmond Hill in school history.
Under Coach Matt LeZotte the Wildcats are 30-16, 13-5 in Region 2-6A play while making the GHSA Class 6A state playoffs each year highlighted by reaching the Final Four in 2019. They also won a region championship in 2019 and shared the title this past season.
The talent that helped make those accomplishments possible was evident on National Signing Day II when eight Wildcats signed to continue their careers at the collegiate level.
“This is eight kids that want to play college football,” LeZotte said. “They had a dream to play college football but the big thing is they’re getting an opportunity to not only play but to get a college degree.
“The education they will get matters but being afforded the opportunity to play football matters, too. I’m proud of every one of them and I know they will represent Richmond Hill High School and the Richmond Hill community well.”
Three players—two as preferred walk-ons--will be going on to play at the Division I level. Kicker Britton Williams will be going to Georgia Southern as a preferred walk-on as will offensive lineman Joe Fusile at Georgia Tech.
Nuna Hunter, who played on both sides of the ball as a running back and defensive back, is one of seven players who signed to play at Mercer University which is in the FCS level Southern Conference.
Due to COVID Mercer was one of several schools across the country whose conference did not play football last fall. The Bears, however, did get in three games and will play an eight-game conference schedule this spring starting Feb. 20 when they go to Wofford.
Hunter scored 13 touchdowns as he ran for 367 yards on only 50 carries, but it was at cornerback—the position he will play at Mercer—where he stood out. Hunter finished the season with 42 tackles and had four interceptions.
“He really looked good on film,” Mercer Coach Bob Cronic said. “I know his coach well—I coached him at James Madison—and they were really high on him. He’s a solid student and really covers the football. He will add some athleticism to our defense.”
Williams made 55 of 57 extra point attempts, hit six of 14 field goals and had 56 of 73 kickoffs go into the end zone.
Fusile was a three-year starter at left tackle and dominated opposing linemen as he helped the Wildcats gain 6,569 yards rushing in that span. At 6-foot-5, 305 pounds Fusile is a physical player and LeZotte said he believes the Yellow Jackets got a steal.
The other signees included:
Defensive tackle Shaquan Brooks is going to Division III Berry. Brooks was the Region 2-6A Defensive Player of the Year as he wracked up 71 tackles including six sacks.
Jordan Clark, who excelled as a wide receiver and cornerback, signed with Savannah State after a season in which he had 27 catches for 645 yards and five touchdowns. He was a lockdown cornerback where he had 18 tackles and one interception. Clark said he was not sure what position he would play at SSU but welcomes the opportunity.
Running back Ashaud Roberson had an outstanding season as he ran for 1,564 yards and 16 touchdowns. Roberson had 11 games where he gained at least 100 yards. He signed with the University of West Georgia which competes in the Gulf Coast Conference.
Quarterback Tyler Coleman is headed to LaGrange College after he passed for 1,658 yards and 12 touchdowns. Coleman excelled as taking care of the ball as he completed 106 of 164 passes with only three interceptions.
Mississippi Valley State got in touch with LeZotte three weeks ago regarding Arman Mason and the day before signing day they offered and Mason accepted. The new Delta Devil will be joining seven other former Georgia players at the school Jerry Rice made famous. MVSU competes in the Southwest Athletic Conference. Mason had 41 tackles playing next to Brooks.