Head coach Matt LeZotte’s 2022 Richmond Hill Wildcats were a young team, with very few seniors on the roster. Heading into the 2023 season, the Wildcats are still young, but the difference is now they are an experienced football team. So, it’s safe to say that Richmond Hill could be a team to watch out for this year – and beyond.
“We have about 50 juniors,” LeZotte said. “We return pretty much everybody.”
While he is pleased to have so much youth returning, he admitted it’s a double-edged sword.
“A lot of those guys that played last year probably should’ve been playing on Thursday nights, not on Friday nights,” LeZotte said.
Several players that could have used another year playing for the freshman team were instead thrust into varsity action by necessity. With the Wildcats making their leap to Class 7A and into the already competitive Region 1, the results were somewhat predictable: 3-7 overall and winless in the region.
“We just weren’t physically ready,” LeZotte said.
As rough as it was for the young Wildcats to go through last season, it gave them the experience of competing against some of the best talent in the state and knowing what to expect moving forward.
“These guys paid their dues. They’re ready to go,” LeZotte said as he is now preparing his team for spring practice, summer workouts, and the 2023 regular season.
LeZotte will look to several of the rising juniors to lead Richmond Hill this season. That includes Caleb Easterling, who the coach said will be a “go-to guy.”
“We will try to get him the ball in a lot of different situations,” LeZotte said.
One of those roles could be at quarterback, where the team will seek a replacement for Ty Goldrick, one of the few starters lost to graduation. Easterling took a few snaps last season, but was used primarily as a running back and receiver.
According to LeZotte, a number of players could see time at QB in 2023. The two players that could battle for the starting job are junior Kirk Scott and senior John Newman. Both played QB in middle school and could each see plenty of playing time this year, as LeZotte and his staff try to decide what – or who – works best at the QB spot.
Senior Nick Bliss is a multi-purpose player who will be counted on to help the Wildcats in a lot of ways.
“Nick will definitely play some at QB this year,” LeZotte said. “He played TB against Colquitt County last season. He will play everywhere for us this season.”
Last year’s primary back was Zion Gillard, who is now playing at Peru State in Nebraska. While Bliss could see time at RB again this year, LeZotte said junior Josh Ulrich-Troupe will also line up at RB this season.
“Josh played a lot back there last year, and he did a good job,” the Richmond Hill head coach said.
Whoever lines up at RB for the Wildcats, they’ll have the entire offensive line from last season to run behind.
“We played about seven offensive linemen last year, including a couple of TEs, and they are all back,” LeZotte said.
That includes top lineman Thomas Zimbalatti, a 6-foot-3, 315-pound junior. He’ll be joined by fellow junior linemen Brody Miller, Cam Jackson, and Billy Meadows, whom LeZotte said has “had a tremendous offseason. He is very physical.”
Senior tackle Ashton Fisher will join returning senior center and three-year starter Landon Hurst on the Wildcats’ O-line in 2023.
Junior TEs Andrew Matthews and Colton Sanchez will return, with Matthews splitting time on the defensive side once again this season.
“Andrew is a true hybrid guy and will play linebacker for us over on defense,” LeZotte said.
Speaking of the defense, there’s a ton of returning talent on that side of the ball too.
Leading the way will be junior LB Gabe Bauman, who LeZotte describesd as “our leader on the field.”
“He gives as good an effort on the field as any player I’ve ever coached,” LeZotte said. “He barks orders on the field and at 170 pounds is extremely undersized for an MLB, but that doesn’t stop him. He is a stud.”
Joining Bauman at LB will be returning starter Lee Johnson, who LeZotte said is a student of the game.
“I feel like he is poised to have a really good year,” LeZotte said.
Seniors Brian Ruland and Rahmaan Moore will also return to their LB spots this season. Ruland is the team’s strongest player, according to LeZotte.
Junior Tad Christman will return to the team’s defensive line, and while DT is his natural position, he “will play everywhere” along the line this season, according to LeZotte.
The defensive backfield will have a group of returning experience with Kobe Mirchell and Aiden Grant expected to both see time at safety, along with senior Myleek Gould. Those three could also very well get playing time at CB.
Senior NT Andy Ferrer returns a much leaner player than what the Wildcats saw in 2022.
“Andy has lost about 100 pounds in the last 15 months and is turning into a really good football player,” LeZotte said.
Rounding out the solid group of returning juniors expected to contribute in 2023 is the team’s kicker, Blake Williams, whom LeZotte described as “a phenomenal talent.” Kohls Kicking Camp ranks Williams as the No. 9 overall kicker nationally in the 2025 class, adding, “Williams has one of the strongest legs in the 2025 class.”
LeZotte said if the Wildcats get past midfield, Williams needs to start warming up.
“I’m not afraid to let him try a 50-yard field goal,” LeZotte said of his junior kicker.
It’s worth pointing out that Williams kicks off the ground and doesn’t use a tee. That’s impressive.
“We have a really good group of guys who are so focused,” LeZotte said about his 2023 Wildcats. “They love football.”
Richmond Hill will play Glynn Academy in their preseason scrimmage game on Aug. 11, with their season opener set for one week later at Effingham County. Their region opener will be on Oct. 6 against Camden County in Kingsland.
Look out for Richmond Hill football. 2023 could be a good year for the Wildcats. Remember, you heard it here first.
