The Richmond Academy Musketeers (4-2, 7-2) picked up their seventh win of the season in impressive fashion on Friday, Oct. 30, with a 49-14 thrashing of the Evans Knights.
Richmond junior Vincent Carter had a career day with a school-record six touchdowns. He tallied five of them on the ground. He ran for 315 yards on 17 attempts, and picked up the sixth TD through the air, where he added another 32 yards on three catches.
The Musketeers were dominant all around, running for 428 yards, while quarterback Carson Hand was comfortable slinging the ball. He had a nice day, completing 16-of-22 passes for 225 yards and the one score by Carter, as well as adding one using his own legs.
The Musketeer defense was impressive, holding Evans running back Brycen Gault for 98 yards and no touchdowns on 19 carries. They allowed Knights’ quarterback Grant Deal seven completions, a touchdown and 114 yards passing on 15 attempts. The only other score was relented to Alejandro Moss on the ground.
Richmond forced a fumble as the only turnover by either team. Both kickers were perfect, though Richmond Academy recovered an onside kick.
“We played complimentary football tonight; that is, we played well in all three phases,” said ARC coach Keenan Grissett. “We were explosive on offense, violent on defense, and precise on special teams. To see that execution we strive for come to life is special. This is a complete team, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
It was all Musketeers from opening kickoff. Their 80-yard, 11-play opening drive culminated in a 21-yard touchdown pass from Hand to Carter for the latter’s first of the day. Four plays into Evans’ attempt to respond, Richmond would force Bryce Parker to fumble, with a recovery by William Mohney giving the Musketeers the ball at midfield. Hand would swing it out to Jay’Andre Brown for a 39-yard screen pass, and Carter would punch it in from the five.
Down 14 with less than five minutes in the quarter, the Knights still failed to find momentum, as a deep shot to Christian Scott was bobbled and dropped. Nick Farmer would punt the ball and pin Richmond at their own 30, but steady progression was rewarded by Carter, who too three straight touches the remaining 54 yards as time expired on the first quarter; a successful PAT made it a 21-point lead.
Suddenly in fight or flight at the start of the second quarter, Evans still couldn’t find their rhythm, driving out to their 45 before punting again. Their defense would find their footing and force the first (and only) ARC punt of the day. The offense thanked them with a huge 79-yard run and catch by Saintwain Roberts from Deal to cut Richmond’s lead to 14. With four minutes left in the second quarter, the Musketeers snuffed the flame of hope with a 25-yard run by Brown immediately followed by a 55-yard house call by Carter for his fourth touchdown of the half, which would end 7-28.
Evans tried to reestablish their run game upon receiving the second half kickoff but were unable to. The Musketeers, on the other hand, were able to put together a 12-play drive to kill seven minutes and extend their lead on—you guessed it—a Vincent Carter touchdown. This one was a 17-yard run.
To make matters worse for the Knights, Richmond shockingly kicked it onside, and a bobbled attempt to cover the ball gave it right back to ARC. Brown had exited the game on the previous drive with what coach Grissett would call a “tweaked ankle,” so Datan Stephens took over the backup running back role, and set up a quarterback keeper for Hand to scramble in on from the seven, the only non-Carter Richmond score of the day extending the lead even further to 42-7.
Evans aimed to at least make the game competitive and looked like they would as they crossed midfield with intent. A sack by Tamatoa Elisara took the wind out of their sails though, and the Knights would surrender punt with 20 second left in the quarter. Carter was merciless, taking the ball 92 yards to end the quarter and in the process, setting a new ARC record, with six scrimmage touchdowns.
The running clock and clear dejectedness of the Knights resulted in an extremely quick fourth quarter, though the Knights would also put together their best drive of the night by far, going 70 yards in 14 plays, with Moss scoring the team’s second touchdown of the day. The Musketeers simply ran out the remaining two and a half minutes to thunderous applause and cowbell clanging, beating Evans 14-49.
Grissett was glowing in his commentary about Carter’s play.
“He’s so mature, physically and emotionally,” the ARC coach said. “He’s such a warrior, his story off the field is one a lot of people wouldn’t believe,” he said. “This is his second chance at life. And guess what? Progress reports came out today, and Vince has all A’s and one B. And then he comes out and puts on these performances. He’s really something special.”
When asked about where his sights are with how good his squad has been, Grissett made it clear that this team isn’t getting ahead of themselves.
“We’re looking at Jenkins right now,” he said. “They’re a good team—fast and with a chip on their shoulder. Everything beyond them is a problem for later. But right now, we’re going to focus on letting our seniors enjoy this one.”
The Musketeers will go on the road to Jenkins (3-6) on Friday, Nov. 6, aiming to add another win to their resume and solidify themselves as one of the region’s best. Evans (3-6) will travel to Garden City to take on Groves High School (0-9) and hope to snap their four-game skid.
Cooper Brady is an Augusta University student.
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