Redeem Team - Richmond Hill Reflections

Redeem Team

Words By Ryan Glazer

Although the 2024 Richmond Hill 12u Wildcat Football Team played its football season in 2024, the journey began in 2022. Over half of the 22 players on the 2024 team and the same coaching staff were seconds away from finishing an undefeated season and winning a Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) State Championship in 2022 when Carrollton scored on a 60-plus yard run with around 45 seconds to go to win the game.

In 2023, most of the boys went their separate ways. Some to middle school football, some to other travel teams, while some continued to play through the recreation department. In the Spring of 2024, Head Coach Kelvin Brown put the “band back together.”

This group of kids wanted redemption!

Most of the 2024 team players also played a full season of middle school football along with the 12u Wildcats team. They started off season workouts for the 12u Wildcats through voluntary workouts, along with juggling middle school football workouts and other sports. Their practices consisted mostly of mastering their offense and defensive schemes to perfection. The 2024 Wildcats finished the season going 15-0 and out scoring their opponents 509 to 20 points. Three of their opponents quit playing at halftime.

The Wildcats ran through the Coastal Atlantic Association (CAA) league as well as playing any travel team who would play them throughout the season. In the District Tournament, they beat state powerhouse programs Camden, Wayne, and Glynn County. On their way to the State Championship they shutout Lee County and Thomson-McDuffie.

On Tuesday, February 11, Richmond Hill High School Head Coach Matt LeZotte and his staff hosted the 12u Wildcats State Champions at their facility for their team banquet. Some Richmond Hill Middle School Football coaches were also in attendance as well. Coach LeZotte congratulated the team on an amazing achievement, but also told them the work is just beginning!

The team was awarded with State Championship rings, medals from GRPA, and the team GRPA State Championship trophy! A special shoutout to the 12u Wildcats coaching staff—Kelvin Brown, Tony Glazer, Michael Todd, Chase Anastasio, Patrick Pittman, Eric Sutton, and Coach Naki.

The 2024 GRPA State Champions: