Week two preview: Raiders motivated to face familiar foe in Butler Bulldogs

Brandon Hodge, Richmond County Daily Journal, Rockingham, N.C.
·2 min read

Aug. 23—ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond Raiders are ready to look ahead after losing their season opener to Mount Tabor High School Thursday night. But, this week's opponent doesn't get much easier for the Raiders.

They'll take on the Butler Bulldogs (1-0), a team Richmond has played every season since 2013 (excluding the 2020 COVID-19 season).

Even though both teams are very familiar with one another, head coach Bryan Till knows it's never easy going up against the Bulldogs. But, he does know that his team will be ready and prepared, as they are every year.

"By playing Butler each year, we understand how good of a team they are year in and year out, so our kids understand the preparation required to compete with them," Till said. "The guys who played last year understand the challenges they present with all the different formations they run. They are the consummate Butler team where some of the sets will also include defensive players. They're really good on both sides of the ball and understand their schemes."

Diving into this year's Butler football team, they are led by quarterback Zachary Lawrence, who is just a sophomore. But, Till knows the talent he possesses on the field.

"He has a very strong arm and is very accurate," Till said.

And it isn't just the quarterback that is extremely talented on this team. Till knows this team is deep in several positions.

"The wide receivers will all touch the ball. DJ Horton is their main tailback but Tyquan Rankin, who's a linebacker, will also run it quite a bit. They are very tall and long at the defensive back position this year, as well," Till said.

When asked if he feels like this is a must-win game for his team, even though it's very early in the season, or if he'll try to take things week-by-week, Till said that his mentality has always been to focus on one game at a time.

"We always want to go 1-0 every week. That will always be the standard. We also definitely want to improve on last week's outing."

Richmond's game against Butler Friday night will kick off at 7:30 p.m. from Raider Stadium.