Two Suffolk seniors ink future

Published 9:07 pm Thursday, February 2, 2017

Lakeland High School’s Riley Richardson and Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s KeShaun Moore inked their futures on National Signing Day Wednesday.

Richardson, Lakeland’s senior offensive lineman, will attend Bridgewater College in the fall. Moore will attend James Madison University.

Richardson was a second team All-Conference 27 player for the Cavs this season. He was an integral part of a Lakeland football team that saw its best season in school history this year. He will play on the offensive line at Bridgewater.

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“When I visited the campus, it was nice,” Richardson said. “The class size isn’t big, and I immediately felt connected to the school when I went. I had a good feeling about it.”

Last season, the Bridgewater Eagles finished the season with a 5-5 record. Richardson also had other interest from North Carolina Wesleyan and Hampden-Sydney. His family wanted to make sure that he was comfortable with his decision.

“The biggest thing they told me was to go where our heart says,” Richardson said. “Don’t be stuck somewhere where you’ll be uncomfortable.”

During his senior year at Lakeland, Richardson felt he accomplished all that he set out to do. He wanted to finish his senior year with a winning record and help get his running back to 1,000 yards. The Cavs certainly finished with a winning record, and fellow senior running back Damontra Milteer ran for more than 2,000 yards.

“It was a great year,” he said. “With great teammates and coaches, it made a season fun and I hope it’s the same at the next level.”

He plans to major in athletic training at Bridgewater.

Moore finished his career at NSA with a great deal of individual and team success. He was a part of a state championship team his junior season. In his junior and senior seasons, he was an All-State player and won the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools player of the year this year. Moore was committed to JMU before his senior season even started.

“It felt like home,” Moore said. “I love the coaching staff and the atmosphere there. The first time I visited there on junior day, I knew I would end up there. Being close to family was a factor as well. They wanted me to go where I felt at home.”

JMU recently won the NCAA FCS National Championship. Moore will have the benefit of stepping into a program that shows it is committed to success.

“I’m going into a successful program, and I’m excited to be a part of it,” Moore said. “I’m ready to make another run for a national championship.”

“I think he is going to make JMU better immediately in whatever role he can earn,” NSA coach Mike Biehl said. “We can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.”

The NSA senior is currently undecided on a major but plans to have one by his sophomore year.

Though Richardson and Moore signed Wednesday, more Suffolk seniors will be revealing their futures in the coming weeks.