Summoned to address Richmond Academy's postgame huddle Friday night, defensive coordinator Andrew Stewart feigned a look of concern.

As the Musketeers focused their eyes on him, Stewart exploded in a kind of Halloween shriek. The Musketeers were delighted, appropriately enough, after their biggest win of the season: 35-13 over Region 3-AAAA co-leader Hephzibah.

Mar-Quon Medlock shook off an ankle injury to throw touchdown passes to three receivers, as Richmond Academy rebounded from a deflating overtime loss to Cross Creek last week. It scored the first 14 points and never trailed in this one.

"Our kids felt bad about last week -- we took Cross Creek for granted," Richmond Academy coach Chris Hughes said. "We wanted to prove we were better than what we played last week."

Richmond Academy's win cleared up the region's playoff picture: Lakeside will get the top seed for the playoffs if it beats Josey next week, while Evans and Richmond Academy will play for the second seed and right to play host to a first-round game.

The Rebels (6-3, 6-2), without a Lakeside loss, cannot win the first region title in school history.

Medlock did not practice all week, choosing instead to soak his ankle in a whirlpool at the school. Richmond Academy's coaches got word he could play before the game and decided to limit him to only throwing. Medlock, who entered with more than 400 rushing yards on the season, did not attempt a run and was never sacked. He finished with 187 yards passing, with scoring tosses to Parnell Wilder, Jerry Lewis and Don Quarles.

"I'd say it worked out pretty good," Medlock said, smiling.

The game changed in a three-minute stretch late in the third quarter. Leading by just a point, Richmond Academy forced Hephzibah to punt inside its 30-yard line. The snap was bobbled, and the Musketeers took over 15 yards from the end zone. Jerrel Anderson scored four plays later. Hephzibah allowed the subsequent kickoff to hit the ground, and Richmond Academy recovered at Hephzibah's 20. After two penalties pushed the Musketeers backward, Quarles hauled in a 26-yard scoring pass.

"It was lost in that little swing right there," said Hephzibah coach John Bowen, as Richmond Academy players rang their victory bell behind him. "You're down 28-13 at that point and everyone knows you're throwing."

Richmond Academy (6-3, 6-2), which overcame 14 penalties for 100 yards, hadn't scored more than 20 points in their previous three games since producing 23, 38, 31 and 34 the first half of the season.

Hephzibah had two touchdowns called back for penalties and missed two field goals (37, 36 yards) before earning its first point.