Football Game Preview: Richlands Wildcats vs. West Carteret Patriots + How To Watch

The Richlands Wildcats will head out to take on the West Carteret Patriots at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Richlands is coming into the game on a six-game losing streak.

Richlands is headed into the contest out to prove that what happened against Croatan on Friday (when they were outscored in every quarter) was just a minor bump in the road. The Wildcats were beaten by the Cougars 38-7. Wildcats fans who chose to attend the game sure picked the wrong one: it was the first time the team has lost against the Cougars since Friday.

Payton Hughes

Total Tackles

10/10/25 vs Croatan	6
09/26/25 @ Northside - Jacksonville	8
09/19/25 vs Havelock	14
09/12/25 vs South Brunswick	15
09/05/25 vs East Duplin	13
08/29/25 @ White Oak	14

Richlands didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Payton Hughes and JT Bratcher. Hughes has been hot, having also posted six or more total tackles the last six times he's played.

Meanwhile, there was early excitement for West Carteret after they claimed the first score on Friday, but it was Northside - Jacksonville who ended up claiming the real prize. The Patriots took a hard 42-28 fall against the Monarchs. That makes it the first time this season the Patriots have let down their home crowd.

Richlands will need to focus on slowing down Joshua Bauman, one of several West Carteret players who made an impact when they last played. He rushed for 203 yards while picking up 7.3 yards per carry. Tanner Payne was another key player, throwing for 184 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

West Carteret suffered their first home defeat, dropping their record down to 4-3. As for Richlands, their record is now 1-6.

Everything came up roses for Richlands against West Carteret in their previous meeting back in October of 2024, as the squad secured a 61-27 win. Do the Wildcats have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Patriots turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.