By: Michael Spiers

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

The Richmond Hill Wildcats have been a team on the rise for several years, and even though they compete in what may be the toughest region in all of Georgia high school football, there is no reason to believe that won’t continue.

They opened last season with six straight wins, including a monumental 35 to 14 victory over longtime rival and traditional powerhouse Valdosta High School. After that win, the yellow-and-black Cats catapulted to a ranking of fourth in the state for the 6A classification.

But late-season losses to Lowndes and Colquitt County kept them just short of a playoff spot, finishing the season at 7-3. Even so, the program feels like it’s in a great position to take another big step forward this fall.

Head coach Matt Lezotte, who has been leading the team since 2015, isn’t shy about the goals he has for his team. He wants to win every game this year.

Of course, getting through Region 1-6A is no small task. It’s stacked with talented teams, and Lezotte knows that not everyone is going to make it to the postseason. He said all they can do is focus on the things they can control, especially their effort.

Off the field, the growth in the Richmond Hill area is showing up in the football program.

The school is expanding with a brand-new building and upgraded athletic facilities. Lezotte sees this as the perfect time for a fresh start. He’s focused on carrying the positives forward and not letting last year’s disappointment hold them back.

There will be some new faces leading the way this season. One of the biggest changes is at running back. Joshua Troupe, who had a huge year in 2024 with nearly 140 rushing yards per game and 18 touchdowns, has graduated.

Now it’s Amir Miller’s time. He was Troupe’s backup last year, but the coaching staff is confident he’s ready to take the next step.

Lezotte said Miller is a complete back. He can run with power, catch passes out of the backfield and has the kind of top-end speed that makes him a threat to score any time he touches the ball. At 200 pounds and running a low 4.5 in the 40-yard dash, Miller brings a different dimension to the offense.

While Richmond Hill will still rely on the run game, the passing attack is expected to be more involved this season.

Quarterback Gunner Mobley is back and has a better understanding of the system.

Lezotte praised Mobley for being a smart player who knows the offense and sees the bigger picture. With Miller’s receiving ability and an offensive line that has improved its pass protection, the Wildcats should be more balanced than in years past.

Lezotte said this year’s team might not be as big up front as some of his previous squads, but they’re more athletic and quicker. That could give them an edge in games where speed and movement matter most.

There’s a lot of energy around the program right now. The team’s youth camp over the summer drew its biggest turnout ever, and the community continues to show strong support.

Richmond Hill will get started with a bye week, then open the season at home against Glynn Academy on August 22.

The Wildcats have a tough schedule ahead, including non-region games against teams from Florida like Everglades and Buchholz, plus their loaded region slate featuring Tift County, Camden County, Valdosta, Lowndes, and Colquitt County.

It won’t be easy, but Richmond Hill is confident, motivated, and ready to prove they belong among South Georgia’s best.

The Richmond Hill schedule for 2025 is:

8/22 7:30p Glynn Academy (Brunswick, GA)

8/29 7:00p Everglades (Miramar, FL)

9/5 7:00p New Hampstead (Savannah, GA)

9/12 7:30p @ Wayne County (Jesup, GA)

9/19 7:00p @ Buchholz (Gainesville, FL)

9/26 7:30p @ Tift County (Tifton, GA) *

10/3 7:00p Camden County (Kingsland, GA) *

10/10 7:30p @ Valdosta (Valdosta, GA) *

10/24 7:30p Lowndes (Valdosta, GA) *

10/31 7:30p Colquitt County (Norman Park, GA) *

Region Game *