On Friday, we will find out where the Richmond Hill Wildcats (1-3, 1-0 Region 2-6A) stand in Region 2-6A when they head to Womack Stadium to take on the Statesboro Blue Devils (2-2).

The Wildcats are fresh off earning their first victory of the 2021 season after defeating Bradwell Institute 37-14 in the region opener on Sept. 24.

The Blue Devils were on a bye week, last playing against Liberty County on Sept. 17, defeating the Panthers 23-6.

Friday will serve as the first region game this season for the Blue Devils.

After securing their first win against Bradwell following an 0-3 start, the Wildcats are using their lone win as a building point going to into the remainder of the season after they scored the most points this season and allowed the least, putting it all together in their region opener.

“To win as convincingly as we did with the mistakes that we made, it’s a lot of room for growth,” Wildcats Head Coach Matt LeZotte said at a Wildcat practice. “It’s the reason we showed up on Monday ready to practice and prepare for the next one. It doesn’t get any easier from here.”

The Wildcats had their way against the Blue Devils last season, defeating them 34-0 in their 2020 region matchup.

“We had a pretty good ball club, and they had a young club,” LeZotte said about last year’s game. “So, it ended up being the tale of the two teams. They’re extremely well coached and physical. They make plays. We had some things go our way last year and they had some going against them. But they seem very much improved this year. All those guys that played against us last year are a year older and wiser.”

The Blue Devils offense doesn’t have the highest scoring output, averaging 18.5 points per game compared to the similar Wildcats 19.5.

With a duo of brothers in the backfield in sophomore quarterback Kam Mikell and senior running back Jalin Mikell, the Blue Devils pose a threat with a capable run-pass option.

But the running game is what does the heavy lifting with Kam leading the Blue Devils in rushing as a quarterback with his 397 rushing yards and one touchdown in four games this season.

Jalin is one spot behind his younger brother in rushing but leads the Blue Devils in touchdowns, holding a stat line of 263 yards and five scores.

LeZotte knows that this will be a task for his defense to hold on to, acknowledging the dangers of the Blue Devil rushing attack.

“Them boys can go,” LeZotte said, giving props to the Mikell brothers. “And how fun it must be at the dinner table with those two brothers. And they got a couple backs that can really roll. They really work well together. The guys that make it go are the guys up front. They do a great job of holding on and establishing their blocks.”

The trio defenders of linebackers Bodie Custer and Hayden McCullough along with strong safety Tommy Bliss will be looked to lead the Wildcat offense after forcing the lowest scoring output on an opponent, bringing their average points allowed to 28.

Custer is following up a 14-tackle performance against Bradwell.

McCullough had seven of his own.

Bliss blocked two punts and a kick.

“In the game last Friday, we seemed like a whole new team,” Custer said. “It felt really good, and I definitely think it’s going to be a momentum shift for our team for the better. They’re really fast so we’re going to have to contain the outside. I feel like if we can do that and fill up the inside, it’ll be good from there. Winning will keep our morale high and have us wanting to play longer.”

The Blue Devil defense is stingy in their own right, only allowing an average of 13 points per game led by the senior linebacker Jamie Speight and his 38 tackles along with junior strong safety Caleb Tisby, who has two picks in three games played.

So, the Wildcats will need a great effort coming off the best offensive performance they have had this season last week with quarterback Ty Goldrick passing for 196 yards on 68 completion percentage and a touchdown, running back Ryan Dekle rushing for 119 yards and a touchdown, and Ravon Grant catching five balls for 137 yards, and a receiving score.

“They get lined up correctly and get the ball on the ground as well as any team that we’ll face this season,” LeZotte said about Statesboro’s line of defense. “Our primary focus is going to be on us. We just need to go be ourselves and not change who we are to match them.”

The Wildcats will find out what their identity is this season on Friday as it will tell what their role is in the region this season depending on their performance.

“There’s a lot of different ingredients that are going into the season,” LeZotte said. “Our goal is to be as consistent as possible. If we match up against a better team and they make more plays than us, then they deserve to win. When you go against a team that’s as talented as they are at what they do, it forces you to be a better coach. I’m grateful for that and coaching against guys that challenge me to be a better version of myself. They’re fun to watch and to prepare for. Coach (Jeff) Kaiser and I are good friends. I know what kind of coach he is and the type of team he’s going to prepare. Our guys are ready and are up for the challenge. I wouldn’t say it’s a huge rivalry, but these guys are going to play hard like it is. There’s a lot at stake even early in the region play for playoff berths and we’re trying to take it one step at a time. All our attention is focused on Statesboro. We’re really dialed in. It’s going to be a fun Region 2 matchup to watch.”

The game will kick off at Womack Stadium in Statesboro on Oct. 1.