Richards blanks Evergreen Park

By Xavier Sanchez
Correspondent

Richards began the season with two bad losses, but after five weeks find themselves with a winning record and atop the South Suburban Red.

The Bulldogs have been improving and played their best game of the season in a 41-0 romp over SSC Red rival Evergreen Park on Sept. 22. Since being outscored 76-14 in losses to Morgan Park and Libertyville, they have won three straight games during which they have outscored their opponents 91-27.

Richards (3-2, 3-0 SSC Red) is no stranger to slow starts; the 2022 team began 0-2 as well. Coach Tony Sheehan typically schedules challenging non-conference games to open the season. This can lead to some lopsided losses for less-experienced Richards teams, but getting a taste of stiff competition also contributes to their growth and development.

These Bulldogs have made obvious strides as they work their way toward a playoff berth. The shutout of the Mustangs (3-2, 1-1 SSC Red) was the program’s first in a non-Covid season since 2019, when they had three.

“We were young in the beginning (of this season),” Sheehan said. “We are growing up now. They play great defense. We have a lot of confidence in them and it showed.”

The Bulldogs were active early both offensively and defensively. Wide receivers AJ Pawlecki and Riley Lamphere both scored in the first quarter, and Richards recovered a fumble on the kickoff subsequent to the latter touchdown. Shortly after, quarterback Dijon newman ran in for a score to conclude a drive that featured a heavy dose of Ladarrius Foster.

Foster, a freshman running back, has been a playmaker. He got his first start with junior running back Myles Mitchell out of the lineup against Evergreen Park.

Mitchell had 180 total yards in a Week 4 win over Oak Lawn, and could have played against the Mustangs if he was needed, according to Sheehan.

“We have a great freshman running back that runs the ball hard,” Lamphere said. “That opens up some holes in the secondary for me.”

Foster scored 90 seconds into the second quarter and, just minutes later, Shaun Reynolds intercepted a Mustangs pass for a pick-6 and a 34-0 lead.

“We are built on speed and explosiveness, even on the defensive side,” Sheehan said. “They do a great job.”

Evergreen Park limited Richards to one touchdown in the second half — an 11-yard reception by Lamphere in the final few seconds of the third quarter — but could muster little on offense.

Richards looks to stay undefeated in the conference when they return home for Week 6 with a matchup against Shepard (1-4, 0-2) on September 29.

After starting 3-0, the Mustangs have dropped their last two games, both at home. They now have to win two of their next four games to make the playoffs. They will play at Oak Lawn (2-3, 1-2 SSC Red) on Sept. 29.