13 Sep Shut Out in Home Opener, Oilers Football Still Searching For a Win

The Richmond High football captains walk out of the tunnel and onto the field prior to kickoff on Sept. 5 at home against San Francisco’s Galileo High Lions.

Story and photos by Joe Porrello

The Richmond High Oilers played their first home varsity football game of the season on Sept. 5, losing a closely contested 10-0 matchup with the Galileo High Lions of San Francisco.

The teams finally squared off after the Lions forfeited a game to the Oilers in 2022 that would have been their first head-to-head battle.

 

Both came in among the lowest-ranked teams statewide, with Galileo at No. 1,021 and Richmond High at No. 1,053 out of 1,063 teams.

Each squad turned the ball over multiple times as defensive playmaking on both sides shined and offenses never got rolling. A flurry of injury timeouts — about six for Richmond High alone — along with countless penalty flags, kept much momentum from building for either team.

 

With the Lions set to punt after failing to record a first down on the game’s opening possession, the Oilers drew a pair of consecutive offsides penalties to extend their opponent’s drive. As Galileo eventually turned the ball over on downs, Richmond High got two chances at a field goal — courtesy of a Lions penalty — but could not convert.

The Oilers briefly celebrated when they forced and recovered a Galileo fumble, only to turn it back over on the very next play via interception.

 

Forcing and recovering another Lions fumble two drives later, Richmond High yet again could not capitalize and the teams went into halftime scoreless.

Galileo finally broke open the scoring when senior wide receiver Shiloh Jenkins hauled in a pass from about 25 yards out for a touchdown in the third quarter. 

“I didn’t expect to be that wide open,” said Jenkins, who is in first year playing at Galileo after recently moving to the Bay Area from Florida. 

After a successful two-point conversion, his team held an 8-0 edge.

 

In the final frame, Richmond High forced another turnover but again gave it right back — this time not even getting a play on offense. An Oilers defensive back intercepted a pass and while returning the ball up the sidelines, had it lodged out by a hard tackle and recovered by the Lions.

Failing to score on their final two possessions, Richmond High’s punter had a low snap go through his legs and out of the back of the endzone for a safety, making the score 10-0 — where it remained.

 

Playing their first game of the season, the Lions broke a three-game losing streak dating back to  2024 and already matched their win total from last season. 

“Next game, we’re going to be 10 times better,” said Jenkins. “I love those boys. It’s like family.”

 

Going 1-8 overall in their previous campaign, Galileo was shut out seven times and collectively outscored 280-44. Their last win was just under a year ago on Oct. 11, 2024.

That same day was the last time the Oilers got on the scoreboard.

Shut out 50-0 in their opening game on the road at Riverbank High, the Oilers have now been held scoreless in five straight games, in which they allowed a combined 157 points. Losing their ninth straight game, their lone win over the last five seasons came more than two years ago.

 

Richmond High has not had a winning season in over two decades, going 34-163 over that span.

In their next bout, the Oilers will try to earn their first road victory since 2019 as they travel to San Francisco on Sept. 20 to take on George Washington High, the team against which Richmond High won their last home game in 2023.

 

Having only three winning seasons in 20 years themselves, Galileo has a real shot to stretch their recent victorious ways. In their next game, also on Sept. 20, the Lions will look for their first home win since 2023 when they host another team ranked below them in No. 1,041 Redwood Christian High of San Lorenzo. After that, in a cross-city matchup, they will take on a Mission High team ranked 1,001 — the last team they beat at home almost two years ago.