Playoffs or bust in Bryan? How Richmond Hill, Bryan Co. Redskins can make football tourney
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Richmond Hill's football team has made the GHSA state playoffs the past six years. On the other side of the county, it has been seven years since Bryan County played a post-season game.
Those streaks appear to be coming to an end.
Both teams get a much-needed break this week to regroup mentally and physically ahead of the closing week of the season. Richmond Hill entered its layoff on a three-game losing streak while Bryan County had lost its last two games.
Richmond Hill’s next game will be at Lowndes on Oct. 28, the same night the Redskins meet Savannah High in their final home game of the season.
Here’s a look at where the two teams stand in their playoff pursuit and what’s going to have to happen for them to enjoy the fruits of being a playoff team.
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Richmond Hill Wildcats
Region record: 0-2, fifth place in Region 1-7A
Remaining region games: At Lowndes on Oct. 28 and at home against Colquitt on Nov. 5.
What the Wildcats need to do: With five teams fighting for four playoff spots, Richmond Hill must win both its remaining games and get some help from region rivals Camden and Colquitt in games against Lowndes. If Richmond Hill can defeat Lowndes and finish in a tie, the Wildcats would hold the tiebreaker.
Key player and difference makers: The offensive line must give quarterback Ty Goldrick time to throw and generate holes for the running game. Zion Gillard has 727 yards on the season but has gained only 89 the last two games. Wide receiver Ravon Grant has 51 catches and needs only three more to break current West Virginia University receiver Sam James’ school record of 53 set in 2017.
Richmond Hill season preview: Here are three reasons the Wildcats can be a Class 7A power
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Bryan County Redskins
Region record: 0-2, tied for fourth place in Region 3A-D1
Remaining region games: At home against Savannah High on Oct. 28 and at Claxton on Nov. 5.
What the Redskins need to do: To earn their first playoff berth since 2015 the Redskins’ assignment is pretty simple: beat Savannah High and they’re in. Coach Cherard Freeman said this will be his team’s biggest game of the season.
Key players and difference makers: The Redskins need to jumpstart a running game which struggled against Metter and Screven. That starts along the offensive line with Jet Lewis, Tarrell Singleton, Luke Holcombe and John Good. Konnor Leggett leads the run game with help from Jacari Carney, Erin Greene and Anddreas McKinny. Defensively Tanner Ennis, Sean Kelly Hill, Leggett, and Carter Tapley are having fine seasons and need to continue to play well.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: High school football: Can Bryan County, Richmond Hill make playoffs?
