It only took three plays for Richland County QB Gavyn Cothern to find the endzone on a 28 yard option run, but little did Cothern know that would just be the beginning.  Cothern would find the endzone four more times with his feet, through the air, and about any way possible Friday night as the Tigers trounced the Taylorville Tornadoes in their home opener 60-36.  

After a Tornado three-and-out to start the game, Richland County went three-and-in.  Three first down plays included a 28-yard touchdown run by quarterback Gavyn Kothern.  The home side scored again on their next drive, this time capping the drive on a 45-yard pass to Reed Klingler.  Employing a trick-play setup on every extra-point play, they succeeded the second time, scoring a simple two-point conversion.

The Taylorville offense did well to grow into the game and were rewarded with two touchdowns of their own. Taylorville QB Isaac Repscher led the Tornadoes on their third drive courtesy of a helpful penalty and a 30 yard touchdown run from Spencer Brown and after an interception from the Tigers Kothern, senior running back Owen Mateer added a 3 yard touchdown run. The Tornadoes failed to convert on the extra point, bringing them within two as they trailed 15-13.

That's as close as the game got.  Two more touchdown runs by Gavyn Kothern including a 4 yarder and a 1 yarder put his Tigers team in control.  The purple-and-gold scored only a field goal in return before the intermission courtesy of Ben Peabody. Taylorville trailed at halftime 29-16.  

Richland County wasted no time adding to their lead in the second half.  Kothern and running back Xavier Owusu-Gyan both found the end zone on their feet.  The former added one more in the fourth quarter.

The teams traded scores in the fourth quarter.  Taylorville continued to gain confidence offensively as the game progressed.  Quarterback Isaac Repscher completed multiple successful long passes, including a touchdown pass to Senior wide receiver Malique Pearse.  Dawson Jenkins also had a 37 yard touchdown run for Taylorville in the loss. Taylorville’s Owen Mateer had plenty of touches for good gains that extended drives.  In doing so, he earned the honor of Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the Game.  

The Tornadoes will host the Canton Little Giants in their home opener next Friday.  Richland County will head on the road as their next game is at Salem. 

                            1            2             3             4          Total

Taylorville          7           9             0              21         36

Richland Co      15         14           14            17          60