Richmond Academy offensive lineman Ayden Crump (70) blocks Harlem defensive lineman Keaton Tillery (34) during a game at ARC Stadium in Augusta, Ga., on Friday, September 26, 2025. (photo by Rob Davis)
Fans at historic Richmond Academy Stadium, which has hosted football since 1930, witnessed a muddy, penalty-filled but thrilling Region 4-AAA contest Friday night as the Harlem Bulldogs outlasted the Academy of Richmond County Musketeers 17-14 in overtime.
Harlem senior running back Malik Tyler set the tone early with a 41-yard touchdown sprint down the left sideline with 7:52 left in the first quarter. The extra point gave the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead.
ARC quickly answered. After a bad snap on a Harlem punt attempt gifted the Musketeers prime field position at the Bulldog 27-yard line, sophomore running back MyKheal Smith powered in from five yards out to tie the game at 7 with 2:47 remaining in the opening quarter.
The contest was marked by muddy field conditions, penalties, and missed opportunities. ARC recovered a Harlem punt but misfired on a field goal attempt. Tyler struck again with 4:43 left in the half, plunging in from a yard out to put the Bulldogs back on top 14-7.
Harlem running back Malik Tyler (20) scores touchdown on 41-yard run against Richmond Academy at ARC Stadium in Augusta, Ga., on Friday, September 26, 2025. (photo by Rob Davis)
Musketeer sophomore quarterback Carson Hand responded, hitting junior Lo’than McBride on a 13-yard touchdown pass with just over three minutes before halftime. The drive was set up by a 54-yard strike to McBride that put ARC at the goal line before penalties backed them up. The score sent the teams to halftime deadlocked at 14.
The second half became a defensive struggle. ARC surprised Harlem with a successful onside kick to start the third quarter, but squandered the chance with an interception on 3rd-and-16. Another Musketeer turnover followed later in the quarter. Neither team could capitalize, and a 40-yard ARC field-goal attempt in the final minutes slipped away on the wet turf.
Overtime brought more drama. ARC’s possession appeared promising after a pass interference call, but a false start penalty negated a successful field goal, and the second attempt missed. Harlem then seized its chance. After a pass interference flag on ARC moved the Bulldogs closer, Harlem’s sophomore kicker Connor Anderson drilled a 29-yard field goal to seal the 17-14 win.
The victory moves Harlem to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in Region 4-AAA play, while ARC falls to 2-4 and 1-1 in the region.
Harlem will host Hephzibah next Friday, while ARC travels to face Baldwin in hopes of bouncing back.
Academy of Richmond County band plays in the rain before a game against Harlem at ARC Stadium in Augusta, Ga., on Friday, September 26, 2025. (photo by Rob Davis)Academy of Richmond County players run on the field before a game against Harlem at ARC Stadium in Augusta, Ga., on Friday, September 26, 2025. (photo by Rob Davis)Richmond Academy quarterback Mercer Barton (10) looks for open receiver during a game against Harlem at ARC Stadium in Augusta, Ga., on Friday, September 26, 2025. (photo by Rob Davis)Harlem quarterback Mercer Barton (10) runs with the ball during a game against Richmond Academy at ARC Stadium in Augusta, Ga., on Friday, September 26, 2025. (photo by Rob Davis)Harlem running back Keaton Tillery (34) runs for yardage during a game against Richmond Academy at ARC Stadium in Augusta, Ga., on Friday, September 26, 2025. (photo by Rob Davis)Harlem running back Malik Tyler (20) runs the ball against Richmond Academy at ARC Stadium in Augusta, Ga., on Friday, September 26, 2025. (photo by Rob Davis)Harlem punter Hayden Youmans (12) chases after a bad snap during a game against Richmond Academy at ARC Stadium in Augusta, Ga., on Friday, September 26, 2025. (photo by Rob Davis)Harlem defenders make a tackle during a game against Richmond Academy at ARC Stadium in Augusta, Ga., on Friday, September 26, 2025. (photo by Rob Davis)Richmond Academy running back Mykheal Smith (26) runs the ball during a game against Harlem at ARC Stadium in Augusta, Ga., on Friday, September 26, 2025. (photo by Rob Davis)Richmond Academy running back Mykheal Smith (26) scores a touchdown during a game against Harlem at ARC Stadium in Augusta, Ga., on Friday, September 26, 2025. (photo by Rob Davis)Harlem quarterback Mercer Barton (10) throws the ball during a game against Richmond Academy at ARC Stadium in Augusta, Ga., on Friday, September 26, 2025. (photo by Rob Davis)Richmond Academy quarterback Carson Hand (10) throws a pass during a game against Harlem at ARC Stadium in Augusta, Ga., on Friday, September 26, 2025. (photo by Rob Davis)Richmond Academy wide receiver Ben Wright (1) hauls in a pass during a game against Harlem at ARC Stadium in Augusta, Ga., on Friday, September 26, 2025. (photo by Rob Davis)Richmond Academy kicker William Mohney (44) attempts a field goal during a game against Harlem at ARC Stadium in Augusta, Ga., on Friday, September 26, 2025. (photo by Rob Davis)Richmond Academy quarterback Carson Hand (10) throws a touchdown pass during a game against Harlem at ARC Stadium in Augusta, Ga., on Friday, September 26, 2025. (photo by Rob Davis)Richmond Academy receiver Lo’than McBride rolls over after catching a 13-yard touchdown pass during a game against Harlem at ARC Stadium in Augusta, Ga., on Friday, September 26, 2025. (photo by Rob Davis)
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