The Kokomo Post Sports - Game of the Week: Richmond vs Kokomo (Photo Gallery)
Senior Night is always a memorable occasion, and Friday was no exception at Walter Cross Field. The pregame celebration brought emotion, excitement, and anticipation as Kokomo’s seniors took the field for their final home regular-season game. The Wildkats responded with one of their strongest performances of the season, cruising past Richmond 50-14.
Kokomo wasted no time setting the tone. On Richmond’s first offensive play, Marcus Houston intercepted a pass to give the Wildkats instant momentum. Quarterback Luke Callaway quickly capitalized, connecting with Baris Moore for a 14-yard touchdown to open the scoring. After a missed two-point attempt, Kokomo led 6-0 with 9:50 left in the first quarter.
The Wildkats stayed aggressive, perfectly executing an onside kick that kicker Andrew Reyes recovered himself. Moments later, Brixton Morris powered into the end zone from three yards out to make it 13-0. Callaway followed with another scoring strike — a 13-yard touchdown to Moore — pushing the lead to 20-0 late in the first quarter.
Kokomo’s offensive rhythm carried into the second quarter. Callaway hit Tay’Vion Bell for a 28-yard touchdown, stretching the lead to 27-0. Richmond finally answered when quarterback Thomas Sturgell threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Riyah Delucio, but Kokomo’s defense quickly regained control. A safety on an intentional grounding call in the end zone made it 29-6.
Callaway continued his stellar night with a 40-yard touchdown pass to Ben Carey on fourth-and-one. Moments later, Cameron Smith intercepted Sturgell to set up another score — a 12-yard touchdown run by Morris — giving Kokomo a 43-6 halftime lead.
With a running clock in the second half, Callaway threw his fifth touchdown pass of the night, a five-yard toss to Morris, to make it 50-6. Richmond added one final score on a 46-yard touchdown pass from Sturgell to Deandre Street, followed by a successful two-point conversion, bringing the final score to 50-14.
Callaway’s five touchdown passes tied Willard Rice (1965) and Kevin Lechner (1981) for second on Kokomo’s all-time single-game list. The record belongs to Levi Hrabos, who threw six touchdown passes against Richmond in 2018.
The win provided a fitting sendoff for Kokomo’s senior class and served as a strong statement heading into postseason play. The Wildkats will next face South Bend Adams on Oct. 31 in the semifinal round of Sectional 12 in the IHSAA football state tournament.
