Richland Rides Big First Half to Victory Over Bellwood-Antis in D6 2A Semis

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Baron Dionis | November 7, 2025

The Richland Rams’ offense exploded in the first half to take down the Bellwood-Antis Blue Devils 35-13 at Herlinger Field in the District 6 2A semi-finals.

In a contest to advance to the District 6 2A Championship, Richland absolutely dominated Bellwood-Antis with 28 unanswered points in the first half. They spread it around very well too as four different Rams found the endzone.

“We have so much respect for Bellwood,” Richland coach Brandon Bailey replied. “Over the years, they have been well coached and their community of hard-nosed kids. We were really prepared for the game because we knew how good of a team they were. Our kids rose to the occasion in every facet of the game and to shut down that running game with two great running backs in that first half. We were really proud of the effort.”

The Rams started with the ball and moved the ball smoothly. Grayson Mahla broke through for two big runs for a total of 33 yards and Jacob Regan found Jamere Christian for a 34 yard gain before Brayden Knepper punched it in from two yards out.

The Blue Devils took the kickoff across midfield, but couldn’t get anything going, failing to move the chains on fourth down.

Mahla kept the Rams moving, taking a screen for 30 yards and then a handoff for 29. That set up a 10 yard rushing touchdown for Regan.

Bellwood started to move the ball with the legs of Alex McCartney and Chase Plummer, collecting four first downs and getting into the red zone, but once again fell short on fourth.

Richland got the ball back and Mahla added another 21 yard run. Then Regan threw it deep for Alex Bond and he hauled it in, taking it 46 yards for the score.

Bellwood punted it this time and on just one play, Regan hit Arnold Mugerwa on the screen and he went 62 yards for the touchdown. Regan hit Christian for the two point conversion, giving the Rams a 28-0 lead entering the half.

“It was an amazing play design,” Mugerwa explained. “They were in cover two and both corners and the safety came down, so great play call by coach Bailey. It felt amazing to finally touch the endzone. I didn’t touch it last game and I always love it.”

Richland forced a three and out, getting the ball right back. Mahla again broke through the defense for 46 yards on two carries. The Regan-Mugerwa connection capped off the drive with an impressive contested grab for the score. That touchdown turned on the running clock.

The Richland star that is gaining a ton of attention from top division one programs has really been double teamed a lot this season. That looked like the case early on in this contest, yet Mugerwa was still able to haul in two catches for two scores and 68 yards.

“Arnold is a great young man,” coach Bailey said. “He knows that if he’s getting doubled teamed, we are playing 10 on 9 and we are going to win most of those matchups. He’s pretty easy to coach.”

Bellwood didn’t give up though, putting together a six minute drive that ended in a five yard touchdown from McCartney.

Then the Blue Devils forced the Rams’ first punt of the day and moved the ball well again. Another six minute drive ended in a two yard rushing touchdown from quarterback Bradyn Partner, but they failed the extra point attempt, wrapping up the score at 35-13.

“Richland is a really good football team,” Bellwood coach Nick Lovrich commented. “They made some big plays tonight. Just all around a good team. We just ran into a buzzsaw tonight. Proud of the effort our kids had.”

With the win, Richland prepares to take on Bishop McCort-Carroll in the District 6 2A championship. The Rams’ only loss came to the Crushers in week four of the season. A big rematch is on the way with much higher stakes.

“We’ve been focused on us after they took us behind the woodshed and beat us,” coach Bailey explained. “That’s not something that happens to our program a lot. We were embarrassed and all we said that we can control is having great practices and great Friday nights. Now here we are at 11-1, ready to play another district title game.”

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