Richmond Hill suffers costly loss in Class 7A debut. Why region opener was a must-win.

Follow Richmond Hill and Bryan Co. high school football all season long at SavannahNow.com. Support our coverage of the Redskins, Wildcats and more by becoming a digital subscriber at SavannahNow.com/subscribe.

There was a different feeling in the air on the Richmond Hill sideline prior to their Region 1-7A debut Friday night.

The kind you get when you’re standing at the edge of a cliff facing the unknown.

Reclassification pushed the Wildcats into the state's highest classification this season, and with only five teams in their region, the margin for error is small. Of Richmond Hill's four region rivals, three are ranked in the top-10 in the state.

The other, Camden County, was Friday's opponent, making the game a must-win for the Wildcats' hopes of making the state playoffs. Only the top-four finishers in each region qualify for the postseason.

Richmond Hill football preview: Here are three reasons the Wildcats can be a Class 7A power

Camden's coach, Jeff Herron, went so far as compare the coastal Georgia showdown to an elimination game.

If he's right, Richmond Hill's playoff hopes are doomed, as Camden won 21-14 before a capacity crowd at Wildcat Stadium.

“The reality of the situation we’re in is we’ve got a tremendous ball team but we’re not there yet,” Richmond Hill coach Matt LeZotte said. “The mistakes we made…we’ve got to be more disciplined. The coaches have to do a better job.”

Added a relieved Herron, to win "tonight was big for us because it doesn’t get any easier,” he said.

Richmond Hill quarterback passes 1,000 yards

Quarterback Ty Goldrick threw for 182 yards and a pair of touchdowns to surpass 1,000 yards seven games into the season. His performance included a 3-yard touchdown pass to Ravon Grant.

Goldrick rarely had time to set up and throw yet he showed pinpoint accuracy in completing 15 of 29 attempts. He leads the region in passing yardage.

“I told him there were going to be some small windows but you’ve got to complete balls, LeZotte said.  I thought he did a good job. He threw the ball well.”

Goldrick had to play well against Camden as Richmond Hill  (3-4, 0-1) could not establish a running game. The Wildcats came into the game averaging 167 yards rushing with tailback Zion Gillard ranking second in the region in rushing.

But Camden limited Gillard to 53 yards on 20 attempts.

Meet the Bryan 'Terrific 28': The fall sports athletes to watch at Richmond Hill, Bryan Co.

Kicking game decides the outcome

Special teams proved to be the difference in the game as Camden County blocked a punt to set up a touchdown in the closing seconds of the first half and then returned a punt 74 yards for a score in the fourth quarter to break the Wildcats’ heart.

Wildcats' youth and inexperience shows

Richmond Hill's roster includes just 15 seniors and mistakes result in turnovers and special teams breakdowns that are difficult to overcome.

More Region 1-7A play ahead for Richmond Hill

Richmond Hill plays at Valdosta (7-0) next Friday at 8 p.m. Richmond Hill will be a decided underdog in its next three games at Valdosta and Lowndes County and in the home finale with Colquitt County.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Richmond Hill Wildcats football lose game to Camden County Region 2-7A