By Austin Sukhu

After multiple first half turnovers, Richardson never recovered as they fell to Lakeview Centennial 50-14 Friday night in the second home game of the season.

The game began with a 102-yard return for a touchdown by the Patriots on the first play. With 5:00 left in the first quarter, the Eagles forced a fumble to stop the Patriots from scoring.

“I’m hoping that they end up finding a sweet spot and are able to make everything gel together,” Todd Smith, father of Richardson’s quarterback, said. “It’s going to be an uphill fight and we’re going to have to score quick and early. Our defense is going to have to stop them, but hopefully they can rally and come together.”

In the second quarter, quarterback Zac Smith rushed for a 25-yard gain, and with 4:00 left before halftime, Eagle’s running back Daevon Woods took the ball all the way to the 7-yard line. Just before halftime, the Eagles scored their first touch down to go into the locker room trailing 40-7.

“This team is going to come out and fight in the second half, and we’ve realized that the only thing that matters about this season is when we get to district,” head coach Brian Chandler said. “We don’t want to lose, we don’t want to be behind 40-7. What we’re working toward is 21 days from now when we play Pearce, and that’s what the second half is all about.”

With 2:00 left in the third quarter, Smith found wide receiver Deandra Washington in the end zone for the Eagle’s final touchdown of the game.

Players said they need to work harder as a team and improve on details.

“To improve for next week we just have to play like a team and work on the little things in practice,” Washington said. “It felt good to make the catch but I’ve just got to work on running my routes and just keep up the hard work.”

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