Richmond Heights has high hopes for next year

Brian Lavrich/Sun News, November 06, 2009 12:34 p.m.

The Spartans will finish the season at 0-9 with the Skippers sitting at 2-8. Richmond Heights had one game cancelled before the season started as Sts. John & Paul didn't have enough players to field a team.

Still, first-year coach William Cloud said he has positives to work with.

"There were a lot of firsts in that game," Cloud said. "It was the first game that we were up, 12-9. We were playing well.

"In the second half, we couldn't turn the page."

Richmond Heights had one possession where it fumbled the ball on the Skippers' 1-yard line.

"We had opportunities to win the game, but we didn't finish the job," Cloud said.

However, Cloud said there was a change in the players as they competed in meaningful plays in the second half for the first time all year.

"It was a difference," Cloud said. "The kids were still in it. They were still motivated until about 2 minutes were left in the game."

It also marked the first game of the season where the Spartans won the turnover battle. Richmond Heights didn't do a great job of holding onto the ball as it committed four turnovers, but the Spartans defense forced five.

"We moved the ball," Cloud said. "It was a great experience for the young kids."

Cloud made one change prior to the game; moving Rico Jones from quarterback to wide receiver and having Keith Philpott start at quarterback.

"We wanted to feature Rico as a wide receiver," Cloud said.

Philpott started the season as the starting quarterback, but was injured. That's when Jones moved into that spot. However, since Philpott returned from his injury, both have played the position at times during the season.

Philpott scored on a 14-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to tie the game at 6.

Jones gave the Spartans their first lead of the season when he returned an interception 46 yards for a touchdown. Unfortunately, the Spartans couldn't break through in the second half and were held scoreless.

On defense, Cloud said Demetrius Hooks stood out for his impressive play.

"Demetrius played one of his best games at strong safety," Cloud said. "He caused a fumble and recovered a fumble."

Richmond Heights loses seven seniors out of the 27 players on the team, but the next big battle for the Spartans won't be on the field, but in the voting booth. Cloud said he was told the Spartans' pay-to-play of $350 per player, per sport could be lifted if the school levy passes this week.

"Right now, if we have next year without pay-to-play, we just hope the levy passes," Cloud said. "But, even if we have pay-to-play, we have a whole year of fundraising."

Cloud points out that he might lose seven seniors, but he also had 12 freshmen playing. One year of practice, development, growth and experience for those 12 will mean a great deal next year.

The goal for next year is pretty high for Cloud, as he said he aims for 45 players on the varsity team to go along with a junior varsity and middle school team.

"With me in the building and the students, it's possible," Cloud said. "We're heading in the right direction."