Small-town life suits younger Richt

MARS HILL, N.C. — As a kid Jon Richt watched his father coach the home team in front of 80,000-plus fans “Between the Hedges.”

Growing up he watched his uncle win a Super Bowl as a starting quarterback, in front of millions on TV.

And after a standout prep career as a quarterback at Prince Avenue Christian School in Athens, Richt chose Clemson, a small town with a huge football following and crowds that rivaled those of his father’s Georgia Bulldogs.

But at some point the son of Mark Richt figured out he was a small-town guy more comfortable away from the loud crowds, happier on a campus of 1,100 students, playing in front of intimate audiences that sometimes number in the hundreds.

A 6-2, 210-pound redshirt freshman starting at quarterback at NCAA Division II Mars Hill College, a small community tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains 20 miles north of Asheville, Richt said he is happy and content away from the limelight.

“Clemson was a big, big atmosphere and lifestyle,” said Richt, 19. “It was overwhelming.”

When Richt realized he wasn’t happy at Clemson — and a midseason change in 2008, when coach Tommy Bowden and offensive coordinator Rob Spence, left, helped cement his decision — he looked at several schools, including Valdosta State, Georgia State and Chattanooga.

“I had a good feeling as soon as I came to Mars Hill and worked out with the guys,” he said. “Coach [Tim] Clifton made me feel very welcome, and my dad and I talked a lot. We liked the offensive scheme and how things are done around here.

“Coming up here, seeing how close everybody was, it made me feel very comfortable.”

“When we recruited him, we told him this would be a lot like his high school,” said Clifton. “When he visited, I think it did remind him of that and the success he had there.

“Jon is the kind of kid who loves to be around people. This is a level of football where you can be yourself. He can interact with people more than he could at Division I.”

Richt also wanted a slower-paced lifestyle for his personal life. He is engaged to Anna Cearley, 19, a student at Gainesville State who plans to transfer to Mars Hill. Their wedding is planned for May 2010.

“His dad influenced Jon a lot about what was really important, family and relationships,” said Cearley. “He really is happier there because he is close to his friends and teammates.”

Richt also received guidance from his uncle Brad Johnson, who played 17 seasons in the NFL and quarterbacked Tampa Bay to the 2003 Super Bowl title.

Johnson, who is married to Mark Richt’s sister Nikki, grew up in western North Carolina and played high school football about 30 minutes from Mars Hill.

Senior offensive lineman Josh Sims said the team has accepted a freshman with a famous last name as the guy who runs their offense.

“He’s pretty calm in the huddle, no jitters, not scared to get on you or to admit when he makes a mistake,” said Sims. “It’s tough being a freshman coming in and trying to lead some players who are seniors.”

“His dad was at North Greenville (S.C., site of Mars Hill’s season opening 28-0 win).

“We were kidding Jon, ‘We just won the game, and your dad is getting all the attention.’

“His dad said when we had an off-week and they were playing, he would get us some tickets [to a Georgia home game]. So Jon has a pretty cool dad.’ "

"When Jon threw his first touchdown pass, it was pretty emotional for me and Katharyn,” Mark Richt said. “And his grandparents were there, his aunts and uncles, his high school coach. There were a lot of people there who got to enjoy the moment. It was nice.”

Mark Richt also enjoyed the atmosphere of small-college football.

“What was kind of neat,” he said, “was that after the game both teams shook hands, said a prayer, then just hung out. And all the fans and families and parents came down on the field. Everybody is down there hugging and taking pictures.

“And I was like, ‘Wow, I can’t imagine this happening.’ [At Georgia] we’re, like, ‘Get off the field as soon as you can,’ you know. It was fun; it was really fun. I enjoyed it a lot.”

On the field, Mars Hill is 2-1, but Jon Richt has struggled (26-of-70, 338 yards, three touchdowns, seven interceptions).

“Just getting thrown into playing time right off the bat was tough, and I’ve had a couple of rough games,” said Richt. “It‘s difficult, but I’m learning.”

“He’s getting more comfortable in our offense daily,” said Clifton. “Jon has a chance to be a special player.”