WADESBORO — All of the momentum was in Anson’s favor heading into halftime.

D’Angelo Tyson found JaTheria Coppedge in the left corner of the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown as the time in the first half was expiring. After Max Martin connected on the extra point, Anson led Richmond 20-19.

Those were the final points the Bearcats would get on the night.

The Raiders scored the game’s final 24 points to pull away for a 43-20 win Friday night.

“We lost our way in the second half,” Anson coach Ralph Jackson said. “We have to learn how to play an entire game. We have to learn how to play all four quarters.”

The momentum remained in Anson’s favor even after Richmond blocked a punt in the opening moments of the third quarter. The Raiders took possession at the Bearcat 31, but turned the ball over on downs.

Richmond (2-0) didn’t grab the lead for good until its next drive after its defense recovered a fumble at the Anson 18. The offense was unable to move the ball in three plays, forcing the Raiders to settle for a 35-yard field goal attempt by Alex Alvarado. The junior kicker sent the ball through the uprights to push Richmond in front 22-20.

From that point on, it was all Richmond. Especially on the defensive side of the ball. Including the fumble that set up Alvarado’s go-ahead field goal, Richmond’s defense forced turnovers on six straight Anson possessions.

Jayvon Boyer scored on a 1-yard on Richmond’s next possession following Alvarado’s kick. Boyer’s score was set up by an interception by Juwan Marshall.

Richmond’s defense scored its touchdown when Devon Hunt recovered a fumble in the end zone. Hunt’s score pushed the Raiders in front 36-20.

The final score of the night came midway through the fourth quarter when Leon Zeigler connected with Curtis Ledbetter for an 11-yard touchdown pass.

“Anson came out and played hard like we knew they would,” Richmond head coach Mike Castellano said.

The Bearcats jumped out to grab a 13-0 lead in the first quarter by taking advantage of special team woes by the Raiders.

Denarius Hilton scooped up a blocked punt and returned it 41 yards for the game’s opening touchdown. Less than two minutes later after a 10-yard punt, Damoentay Horne sprinted 52 yards for the score.

The Raiders began to slice into the deficit as Damontre Bennett scored on a 1-yard run, the defense recorded a safety and Alvarado booted a 25-yard field goal.

Richmond appeared to take the lead going into halftime as Zeigler found Cymontre Bennett for an 11-yard touchdown pass. Then on the ensuing kickoff, Castellano called for an onside kick that was recovered by Richmond.

But on the next play, Zeigler was intercepted and that set up Anson’s last-second touchdown to take the lead at halftime.

The loss to Richmond on Friday night gives Anson a 0-2 season so far.

The Bearcats will next face South Stanly in an away game this Friday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Richmond Senior linebacker Khalil Stancil pulls down Anson running back Damoentay Horne for a loss in the backfield.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_UT0A54161.jpgRichmond Senior linebacker Khalil Stancil pulls down Anson running back Damoentay Horne for a loss in the backfield. Contributed by Jimmy McDonald

Anson’s Jaylin Gaddy leaps to block a punt by Richmond’s Zach Leberth.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_UT0A4972.jpgAnson’s Jaylin Gaddy leaps to block a punt by Richmond’s Zach Leberth. Contributed by Jimmy McDonald

By Shawn Stinson

sstinson@civitasmedia.com

Reach Richmond County Daily Journal managing editor Shawn Stinson at 910-817-2671 and follow him on Twitter @scgolfer.