LAURINBURG — Scotland High’s football team will be mentally and emotionally prepared for its rivalry battle with Richmond on Friday.
“Our kids are going to play hard in this game,” Scotland coach Richard Bailey said. “There’s never been a time in my seven years, or any time I’ve seen the Richmond-Scotland game, when I didn’t feel like some kids were really laying it on the line. I think our kids are prepared to do that.”
The Scots will need to lay it all on the line in order to contain Richmond quarterback Caleb Hood and running back Jahiem Covington. That duo has helped guide the Raiders to an unblemished 10-0 record heading into Friday’s regular-season finale.
Hood is a versatile quarterback who can be a threat on the ground (62 yards rushing per game) and through the air (153 yards passing per game).
“If you look at the statistics, it’s scary,” Bailey said. “They’re averaging over 10 yards per carry as a team. … Pretty much every play they run, they’re averaging over 10 yards. It’s amazing how proficient they’ve been.
“You’ve got to kind of pick your poison with Caleb. You’re going to give up something. … The biggest thing is we can’t give up those big, explosive plays,” he added.
Hood and Covington ran the ball well in Richmond’s 23-8 victory over Scotland last year in Rockingham. Both ran the ball for more than 100 yards, and Covington scored two touchdowns.
Scotland has numerous experienced players who played in that game — and some who had to watch from the sideline.
“(It helps) having people who’ve played in a big game, and having some guys who were on the field last year,” Bailey said. “And then you have someone like Bruce (Wall) or Kendrell (Sellers) who didn’t play in this game, but boy, they wish they could’ve. To get a chance to come back and do it, that’s a blessing for them.”
Wall and Sellers missed last year’s rivalry game due to ACL injuries.
“We’re better than we were last year, but they are too,” Bailey said. “It will take a great performance to beat them, but I think we’re capable of it.”
Lopsided wins
Both teams picked up blowout victories in their games last week. Richmond defeated Seventy-First 45-6, and Scotland shut out Lumberton 48-0.
Title on the line
Richmond will take sole possession of the Sandhills Athletic Conference title if the Raiders win on Friday. Scotland and Pinecrest are tied for second place in the conference. If Scotland beats Richmond, the Scots will split the conference title with Richmond. Pinecrest could make it a three-way tie for the championship if they win as well in that scenario.
When and where
The game will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night at Pate Stadium. The forecast for Friday includes a low of around 30 degrees.
