At 1-3, another loss would have further jeopardized Richards' playoff dreams. Regardless, the Bulldogs needed to run the table after four weeks in order to guarantee themselves a spot in the postseason.
The Bulldogs own the state record with 23 consecutive playoff appearances, dating to 1975.
The Reavis Rams were 2-2 heading into Friday night's conference opener, and hoped to spoil the Bulldogs' homecoming in this midseason match-up. Although they had a brutal schedule early on, the reigning conference champion Bulldogs looked to revert to their dominant ways in conference play.
"Conference is a fresh start and we need to make a statement," senior lineman Pat Kush said.
The Bulldogs needed to come out firing, and that they did.
Richards' offense immediately made its way down the field in an opening drive that culminated in a touchdown pass from junior quarterback Jon Ryan to junior wide receiver Keith Sconiers, setting the tone for what would be a long night for the Rams.
"We came out fired up, and it showed," senior receiver Matt Henehan said. "We knew we needed to score early and often and we were able to just that."
The opening drive's touchdown was the first of four for Ryan, as the quarterback accounted for each of the Bulldogs' four scores.
Ryan later found the end zone through the air once again by hooking up with senior receiver Shaun Pratl. It was Pratl's first score on the season.
In addition to his aerial assault, Ryan scored twice more on two rushing touchdowns, showing off his ground game and leading Richards to a 27-15 victory.
Already being written off by many, the Bulldogs are playing with a chip on their shoulder, and with the victory over Reavis, they have found a new outlook for the weeks ahead.
"We're playing like one unit now and not as individuals," senior receiver Kris Luna said. "We've just got to keep trusting each other and win one game at a time. Like coach Sheehan always says 'We're 0-0 every week now, but really 1-0 in conference, our goal is 5.' All we have to do is believe."
The Bulldogs hope to elevate their game over the second half of the season, as they close out the year by going on the road in three of their last four games.
Friday, Richards travels to Evergreen Park, then hosts Eisenhower on Oct. 10. The Bulldogs cap the season with road games at Oak Lawn on Oct. 17 and Argo on Oct. 24.
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Note: This article was published in the October 2nd Issue of the Southtown Star newspaper in Oak Lawn, Illinois.
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