8/25/26
Complete Game Coverage: SWO - 14 Richlands - 15. Final: SWO - 14 Richlands - 15
Photos (courtesy of Kay McCloskey): LINK
Stallion Video Highlights: LINK
Every season has one of those games. You know exactly the kind I mean — the kind that gnaws at you for weeks, maybe months. The kind you know you should have won but didn’t. The kind where one mistake, or one (or several) questionable calls by the officials, tilts the entire outcome. The kind where, if you played the matchup ten times, you’d win nine. The kind where you could feel the momentum slipping away and just couldn’t stop it. The kind where you could have been sitting pretty… but instead find yourselves back in a hole.
Call it what it is: one big, blown opportunity. Such was the case Monday evening in a crushing 15–14 loss to the Richlands Wildcats — their fifth straight win over the Stallions.
A Delayed, Soaked, Sloppy Start
The game was postponed from Friday to Monday due to weather, and even Monday’s kickoff was in doubt as storms soaked the field throughout the day. Before the game, I walked the turf myself — soggy, squishy, and chewed up down the middle after the opening series. Surprisingly, though, the field held up better than expected. The moisture, however, absolutely found its way to the football, contributing to multiple fumbles and drops early on.
A Better Attitude — But Too Many Mistakes
On a positive note, this Stallion team has noticeably better chemistry and attitude this season. They want to win badly, and they played their hearts out. But even setting aside first‑game jitters, the number of crucial mistakes proved to be the nail in the coffin. And those mistakes were magnified by — let’s be honest — some truly baffling officiating.
About the Officiating…
I’ll admit it: I’m biased toward the Stallions. Every loss brings that familiar feeling of “the refs certainly didn’t do us any favors.” But last night? My thoughts were harsher. The question running through my mind was, “Are they favoring Richlands, or are they just inept?” I’ll choose inept. A few of the critical calls were blatantly incorrect. I know refereeing is difficult and underappreciated… but seriously.
Richlands’ game‑winning drive gave me flashbacks to the infamous 1972 Olympic men’s basketball final — USA vs. USSR — where officials repeatedly reset the final seconds until Russia finally scored. Similarly, the Wildcats’ last possession seemed endlessly extended by repeated penalties until they finally pulled off an incredible trick play — a throwback to the quarterback — to take their first and final lead of the night.
Credit Where It’s Due
Give Richlands credit. They played hard, tough, and resilient. Even when the Stallions went up 14–3 with about nine minutes left in the third quarter, the Wildcats didn’t fold. When you let a team hang around, they almost always get their chance. Richlands got theirs — and they capitalized. Congratulations to them.
Defense Shines
The Stallion defense played great. Richlands had virtually no success outside of that one trick play and a handful of pass interference calls — some legitimate, some… well, let’s just say “highly debatable.”
Offensive Notes
Ton was Ton. Dependable, tough, consistent. He scored our first touchdown and delivered exactly what you expect from him.
Another bright spot: QB Davion “Davo” Cephus. His running was outstanding — tough, elusive, determined. His 6‑yard touchdown burst in the third quarter was pure willpower.
Areas Needing Improvement
Passing Game: We simply have to generate something through the air. Anything. A swing pass. A five‑yard out. A quick curl. The opportunities are there — we just have to execute.
Special Teams: I love these guys, and they’re underappreciated. Most people don’t notice special teams until something goes wrong — and too much went wrong last night. To be fair, they get almost no live reps in scrimmages, so this was essentially their first real test. They’ll improve. They’ll work. They’ll get better. And for what it’s worth, Richlands’ special teams had major issues too — we easily could have blocked three of their punts.
Final Thoughts
It’s Monday morning, and I need to get back to my real job. I’ll close with my Siri‑assisted game summary notes. I used AI to clean them up, but there may still be a few errors or confusing bits. It’s the best I could do.
See you Friday — when we get our first win.
1st Quarter
The Stallion defense forces a fumble on 3rd down, taking over at the Richlands 30-yard line.
Trenstin “Ton” Bolden bursts up the middle for a 12-yard touchdown. Stallions lead 6–0 with 8:41 left in the first quarter.
Jon Carter adds the PAT. Stallions 7–0.
Richlands finds some success on the ground, but another fumble ends their drive.
Southwest recovers the fumble at 3:33 in the first quarter (recovered by Ja’Shawn Newton).
Stallions go three-and-out. The punt snap sails over the punter’s head, giving Richlands excellent field position.
Stallions catch a break as the Wildcats turn it over for the third time in the first quarter. Southwest takes over at the Richlands 15-yard line with 41 seconds left.
End of 1st Quarter: Southwest 7, Richlands 0
2nd Quarter
Stallions advance to the Richlands 32, but the drive stalls and they punt.
Richlands returns the punt to their own 24-yard line.
Southwest forces Richlands to punt from deep in their own territory, but a personal foul: roughing the kicker gives the Wildcats an automatic first down.
Stallions force another three-and-out. Richlands punts back to Southwest, who takes over at their own 27 with 5:09 left in the second quarter.
The Stallion offense goes three-and-out again. Richlands takes over at their own 27 with 4:20 left in the half.
Southwest’s defense forces yet another three-and-out. Richlands lines up to punt — but it’s a fake. Stallion defense stops it short.
Wildcats later convert a 30-yard field goal with 1.4 seconds left in the half aided by questionable PI call.
Halftime Score: Southwest 7, Richlands 3
Story of the first half: Missed opportunities by Southwest combined with questionable officiating.
3rd Quarter
Richlands kicks off to start the second half. A misplayed pitch on the return gives the Stallions a short field.
Southwest capitalizes behind big runs from Davo Cephus, who finishes the drive with a touchdown.
John Carter adds the PAT. Southwest 14, Richlands 3 with 9:01 left in the third quarter.
Stallion defense forces a three-and-out. Southwest takes over at their own 31 with 7:06 remaining.
Demarre Hill breaks a big run, but it’s wiped out by a holding penalty. Stallions have to punt. Richlands takes over with 4:20 left in the third.
Stallion penalties extend the Wildcats’ drive. Richlands scores a touchdown with 41 seconds left in the quarter. Southwest 14, Richlands 9.
4th Quarter
Stallion defense delivers a strong stand, forcing a three-and-out.
Richlands punts to Southwest. Stallions take over 1st and 10 at midfield with 9:11 remaining.
Drive stalls at the Richlands 35. The ensuing punt attempt results in a big SW loss, giving Richlands excellent field position with 6:00 left.
Wildcats benefit from a questionable pass interference call on 4th-and-5, giving them a first down at the Stallion 25-yard line.
Facing 4th-and-4 at the Stallion 19 with 2:59 left, the Wildcats throw incomplete — but officials call pass interference/holding again. Another fourth-down penalty gives Richlands new life.
On the next play, Richlands scores a touchdown and takes the lead 15–14 with 2:48 remaining. Two-point conversion no good. Richlands 15, Southwest 14.
Stallions have two timeouts; Wildcats have one.
Southwest fumbles at midfield with 1:15 left. That’s essentially the ballgame.
