Class 6A Football Playoffs: Richards Can't Capitalize in Red Zone, Falls to Hubbard

Breaking It Down: For most of this season, it’s been ’ physical running attack that has controlled the clock and worn down opponents. But in Saturday night’s Class 6A second-round game against Hubbard, the Greyhounds gave Richards a heavy dose of its own medicine.

Quarterback Quincy Skanes and running back Anthony Johnson combined for 175 rushing yards and four touchdowns, leading the Greyhounds to a 29-13 victory over Richards in Oak Lawn.

Skanes and Johnson sliced and diced their way through a Richards defense that had been very good against the run in the regular season. The two had a vast majority of their yards in the first half, but Hubbard was able to control the clock in the second half by keeping it on the ground. Richards had only seven offensive possessions for the entire game.

Richards was hurt all game by costly mistakes at the end of drives. Twice the Bulldogs drove deep into Hubbard territory in the first half, but a lost fumble and a missed field goal resulted in no points and a 19-0 halftime deficit that was too big to overcome.

The Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs at the Hubbard 5-yard line to end a last-ditch effort after recovering an onside kick.

Marcus Smith had a big first half, breaking multiple runs for 20+ yards, but Richards couldn’t capitalize.

Patch’s MVP: Quincy Skanes, Hubbard. Skanes led the Greyhound offense in a textbook first half that produced touchdowns on each of their three first-half possessions. Hubbard scored on each of its two second-half possessions as well with the Richards defense holding Hubbard to a field goal early in the fourth quarter.

Richards Stat Pack: Smith rushed for 185 yards on 22 carries and had a touchdown. Tommy Mister was 10-for-20 passing for 85 yards. He added 71 yards on the ground and a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Hubbard Stat Pack: Skanes was an efficient 5-for-6 passing for 92 yards. He ended with 118 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Johnson had 57 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.

Quotable I: Richards QB Tommy Mister: “We just couldn’t execute in the red zone, and that’s why we lost tonight.”

Quotable II: Richards coach Tony Sheehan: “We can’t turn the ball over and expect to win, and that’s going to be a huge emphasis all offseason. We’ve got to take care of the ball and we have to get after it.”

Team Records: Richards finishes at 6-5 on the year while Hubbard moves to 9-2.

What’s Next: Hubbard moves on to the quarterfinals where it will face Lemont. Richards’ 2011 football season is finished.  

Scores of Interest: Lemont defeats Oak Forest, 35-14. For more scores, visit the IHSA score zone.