Richmond Academy's players strapped on their helmets, stepped on a football field and dominated an opponent.
"We're usually on the other end of this," coach Chris Hughes said.
The Musketeers, who entered the season with a 17-game losing streak, is somehow more than halfway to an unbeaten region season after a 30-0 dismantling of Lakeside on Friday night.
Richmond Academy (5-1, 5-0) led for all but 4:14, got two touchdown runs from Jerrel Anderson and a stout effort from its defense, which had given up 41 points in the team's lone loss.
"Honestly, they threw the ball effectively, ran effectively and stopped us on offense. ... it was a rough night for Lakeside," Panthers linebacker Cody Marsh said.
As late as Wednesday, Hughes feared his team wouldn't be able to run on the Panthers. "We might have to throw the ball 45 times," he remembered thinking.
Instead, the Musketeers ran for 140 yards on 25 carries and 113 yards in the first half.
"The holes were there all day," said Anderson, whose 41-yard third-quarter reception set up his second touchdown.
Weighed against another efficient passing performance from junior Mar-Quon Medlock (12-for-17 153 yards), the Musketeers achieved their best balance of the season, Hughes said. It earned Richmond Academy, previously unbeaten in the region against teams that were a combined 3-17, a win that would earn respect around the area, players said.
"We wanted to show we could play with anyone in the region," Hughes said.
Lakeside breezed down the field on its second possession. But on the drive's 12th play -- they were all runs -- the Panthers lost a fumble. They wouldn't get near the end zone again until the final minute.
"Once the momentum got on their side, they did a great job of taking advantage of it and punching us in the face when they had to," Lakeside coach Jody Grooms said.
The Musketeers sealed the scoring in the fourth quarter when Evan Dansby intercepted a pass and glided 29 yards to the end zone.
The visiting crowd spent the next 6:13 swaying to their roar of the Musketeers' band and chanting "A ... R ... C."
"We've suffered through a lot of negative treatment, but we're here to win every game," Dansby said.
Said senior Dee Howard, "Change has to come some time. Why not this year?"
Reach Matt Middleton at (706) 823-3425 or matt.middleton@augustachronicle.com.
RICHMOND ACADEMY 30, LAKESIDE 0
PLAY OF THE GAME: Lakeside decided to go for it on fourth-and-2 near midfield with about 15 minutes remaining. The Musketeers dropped the Panthers for a loss, took over on downs and two plays later led 16-0.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Richmond Academy junior Jerrel Anderson ran for two scores and had 132 yards of offense.
WHY RICHMOND ACADEMY WON: The Musketeers earned their second shutout of the season and were balanced on offense (140 rushing, 153 passing).
WHY LAKESIDE LOST: After a goal-line fumble stopped a promising early drive, the Panthers were wretched on offense.
NEXT: Richmond Academy at Glenn Hills on Friday; Lakeside at Cross Creek on Friday.
Richmond Academy 6 3 7 14 -- 30
Lakeside 0 0 0 0 -- 0
First Quarter
ARC--Jerrel Anderson 43 run (kick failed), 7:46.
Second Quarter
ARC--Eric Osteen 39 FG, 3.3.
Third Quarter
ARC--Anderson 3 run (Osteen kick), 2:57.
Fourth Quarter
ARC--Mar-Quon Medlock 28 run (Osteen kick), 6:58.
ARC--Evan Dansby 29 INT return (Osteen kick), 6:13.
ARC L
First Downs 13 12
Rushes-Yards 25-140 34-111
Passing Yards 153 118
Comp.-Att.-Int. 12-17-0 13-29-2
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 2-1
Punts-Yards 3-29.3 3-38.7
Penalties-Yards 8-75 3-15
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Richmond Academy: Jerrel Anderson 14-91, Mar-Quon Medlock 9-40, Jontavious Williams 2-9, Christian Harper 2-17. Lakeside: C.J. Marshall 13-67, Chad Chandler 12-26, Michael Paul 1-4, Ben Wilson 5-22, Chris Hartfield 2-(-3), Kevin Hennecken 1-(-5).
PASSING--Richmond Academy: Medlock 12-17-0 153. Lakeside: Chandler 10-24-2 80, Wilson 3-5-0 38.
RECEIVING--Richmond Academy: Brandon Vereen 6-61, Dee Howard 2-11, Brandon Moody 1-6, Aubrey Williams 2-34, Anderson 1-41. Lakeside: Levi Hanks 4-28, Marshall 2-24, Hennecken 3-19, Justin Pitock 1-6, Rosbie Mutcherson 2-32, Preston Pye 1-9.
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