Big plays carry Myers Park over Richmond Senior

Myers Park’s explosive offense produced nearly all the big plays Friday night, and the Mustangs battered Richmond Senior 37-14 in a 4AA Western Regional semifinal.

The victory sends the Mustangs to Vance next Friday for the Western Region crown and a berth in the state title game.

Richmond Senior, the West’s top seed, didn’t have an answer for Myers Park’s speedy receivers – especially senior Elijah Bowick.

Bowick, a Virginia Tech commit, caught seven passes for 175 yards and scored a touchdown. Two of his long receptions set up Myers Park scores.

It was part of a big-play explosion by the Mustangs, who had 11 plays of 15 yards or more.

Richmond Senior dominated the opening few minutes of each half. Myers Park controlled the rest.

The Raiders stunned Myers Park on the game’s first series. The Mustangs were forced to punt from their 24, but the Raiders’ Antonio Isaac blocked the Myers Park kick.

Richmond got the ball at the 5, and running back Jahiem Covington scored on the next play.

But Myers Park recovered from the bad start and tied the game three minutes later, scoring on a two-play, 49-yard drive. Jacquez Robinson dashed 33 yards for a touchdown. The Mustangs took the lead late in the first quarter, scoring on a 40-yard pass from Drake Maye to Andre Francois.

Myers Park forced Richmond Senior to punt from its 2 on the next possession, and the Mustangs took over at the Raider 44. Seven players later, Maye plunged 1 yard into the end zone, and the Mustangs took a 21-7 lead.

Myers Park went 80 yards for a touchdown on its next possession, scoring on a 22-yard Maye-to-Bowick pass with 1:07 left in the half. Bowick caught three passes for 70 yards on that series.

The second half opened with another Richmond Senior surge. The Raiders started from their 33 and drove 67 yards, scoring on a 2-yard run by Covington. The conversion kick cut Myers Park’s lead to 27-14.

Then Raiders coach Bryan Till called for an onside kick. A Richmond Senior player appeared to grab the kick, but the ball squirted loose and Myers Park took over. The Mustangs then regained control of the momentum, covering 65 yards in three plays. The biggest chunk, 47 yards, came on a Maye-to-Bowick pass. The touchdown came on a 20-yard run by Michael Girardi.

Records: Myers Park is 13-1; Richmond Senior finished 11-2.

3 who mattered

Elijah Bowick, Myers Park: Bowick made big play after big play, grabbing seven passes for 175 yards and scoring a touchdown.

Muhsin Muhammad, Myers Park: Muhammad caught five passes for 93 yards and handled six Richmond Senior punts without error.

Drake May, Myers Park: Maye completed 15- of-24 passes for 313 yards and two touchdowns. He ran for another score.

Worth mentioning

▪ Richmond Senior’s outstanding junior running back, Jahiem Covington, was held to 82 yards in 20 carries by Myers Park.

▪ The two teams played errorless football, with no fumbles or interceptions. Penalties were a different story. Richmond Senior was whistled 11 times for 106 yards. Myers Park had seven penalties for 60 yards.

▪ Twice in the game, Bowick made leaping grabs near the sideline, surrounded by two defenders each time.

▪ Richmond Senior isn’t going away. Raider quarterback Caleb Hood is a sophomore, Covington is a junior, and most of the top defensive players are sophomores and juniors.

What’s next?

Myers Park plays at Vance next Friday for the Western Regional 4AA title. Richmond Senior’s season is finished.

RS – Jahiem Covington 5 run (Trevor Moss kick)

MP – Jacquez Robinson 33 run (Matthew Dennis kick)

MP – Andre Francois 40 pass from Drake Maye (Dennis kick)

MP – Maye 1 run (Dennis kick)

MP – Elijah Bowick 22 pass from Maye (kick failed)

RS – Covington 2 run (Moss kick)

MP – Michael Girardi 20 run (Dennis kick)

MP – FG Dennis 22