By Ryan Deal 

605 Sports

And when Richmond has the football in his hands, he can turn nothing into something. That was the case on Sept. 20 against Platte-Geddes, when Richmond caught a pass from his brother Caleb Richmond in the middle of the field, and juked past three defenders for a 37-yard highlight-reel touchdown.

It was another sampling of Richmond’s yards after catch ability and athleticism, which Hooks said “is through the roof and I think he has a really high ceiling. I don’t even think he’s tapped into a lot of his potential.” 

“He’s just very athletic,” Hooks added. “He has a size advantage every time he splits out and for the last two years every time he’s split out he’s got a guy in his face and one over the top and he’s still able to make plays. He’s got great ball skills, can make about any type of catch, and his run after catch has just been off the charts so far this year.”

Wolsey-Wessington's Moshe Richmond carries the ball against Platte-Geddes on Sept. 20 in Platte. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

Richmond was an all-state wide receiver in 2023. He hauled in 43 receptions for 551 yards and seven receiving touchdowns last season. For his career, Richmond has caught 79 passes for 1,214 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns. 

While Richmond looks the part of a wide receiver, he was a running back prior to high school. But the Warbirds featured three upperclassmen running backs — Marty Gohn, Eric Klanchnik and Keegan Haider — his freshman season. 

That meant Richmond, then a 5-foot-11 freshman, learned on the fly at the wide receiver position. 

“My freshman year I probably wouldn't have started unless I moved to receiver because we had two really good running backs and a junior running back,” Richmond said. “So I decided to move to receiver so I could actually start my freshman year.”

Richmond relied more on his athleticism, but says now he’s developed more of a route tree. However, his experience playing running back has translated into making plays as a wide receiver. 

“Back when I used to play running back I would not juke at all,” Richmond said. “I would only stiff arm and truck, and I wouldn’t score unless it was wide open and I would just run past everyone. Once I turned to receiver, moving without the ball to get open was kind of different for me. So I feel like that helped in my jukes.”

In nine-man football, players regularly line up different positions and Richmond is no exception to the rule. In addition to wide receiver, he’s played running back and quarterback on offense, along with playing linebacker and safety on defense. 

“That’s been our goal the whole time, especially on defense, just trying to keep him in spots where he can be involved in almost every play,” Hooks said. “Obviously, he’s got to make the plays when he’s involved in them and he has thus far. Offensively, just finding different ways to get the ball in his hands. In nine-man he can play about any position. It’s pretty special to have a player like that.” 

And he’s not the only Richmond making plays for the Warbirds. Caleb, a junior quarterback/defensive back, is just as electric and the brothers form a dynamic 1-2 punch on offense. 

“It’s been pretty cool and they push each other every day,” Hooks said. “They are both very hard working. They are very hard working in the weight room, in the classroom and they are very competitive with each other.” 

Moshe is especially relishing this final season playing football with Caleb, who has passed for 560 yards and seven touchdowns this season. 

“I haven't really noticed how special it was until this year,” Moshe said. “Because this will most likely be my last time playing with him unless we go to the same college. It’s a special thing. We are always on the same page. We think a lot alike. My favorite part is watching our game on YouTube back and just hearing ‘Richmond to Richmond.’ That’s been a special part of it.”

Wolsey-Wessington's Moshe Richmond carries the ball against Platte-Geddes on Sept. 20 in Platte. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

Moshe’s size and playmaking make him an intriguing college football prospect. Moshe and Caleb attended camps at South Dakota State University and Iowa State University this past summer. 

Moshe has been in contact with colleges, and would jump at the chance to play at the next level. 

“I would love to play college football,” said Richmond, who also plays basketball and runs track. “Not many people get to do it. So if the opportunity was given to me I would love to go.”

In the meantime, Moshe will continue making electric plays for the Class 9A No. 4 Warbirds (4-0). Wolsey-Wessington will host Gregory on Sept. 27. 

“We’ve got so many right pieces this season,” Richmond said. “I am excited for what we are going to do in the future and it’s just a fun group to be around.”