Buckingham’s Leon Ragland carries the ball during the Knight’s playoff game against Martinsville.

Leon Ragland’s five touchdowns and 150 yards rushing led Buckingham to a 47-7 blowout of Martinsville Friday night in the first round of the Virginia High School League Group 2A West Region playoffs.

With the win, Buckingham improves to 10-1 and advances to the second round on the road against Richlands High School, 10-1, at 7 p.m. Friday. Martinsville finished 5-7.

“I am proud of the way the young men prepared again and got ready,” said Buckingham head football coach Craig Gill. “The boys blocked well and defense did a great job. Being able to keep them (Martinsville) to seven points is a tribute to my defensive staff.”

Although neither team scored in the first quarter, Ragland got the Knights rolling before halftime with 8- and 5-yard touchdown runs.

Ragland added scoring runs of 4, 9 and 73 yards, which put him at 41 touchdowns on the season. He also had a reception for 19 yards.

“I knew it was going to be a tough game,” Gill said. “Their (Martinsville) record is deceiving. They played us tough at first and had great team speed.”

Rajheem Holman was responsible for Buckingham’s final two touchdowns, on 5- and 50-yard runs. Holman had five carries for 73 yards.

The Knights held the Bulldogs to only a touchdown in the final quarter.

B.J. Gough contributed to the Knights’ win with 20 carries for 178 yards, seven tackles and a fumble recovery. Hunter Edwards had two carries for 25 yards and scored Buckingham’s only two-point conversion. Zach Baird went 3-for-6 in extra points.

Sean Ayers and Jalen Liggins had five tackles each, while Michael Mabry had four.

“It was kind of a sad day losing Coach (Pete) Gowin,” a teary-eyed Gill said of the former Buckingham varsity football coach and athletic director who passed away Friday. “He gave me this opportunity 20 years ago. I love him for that. He is the reason I am still here today.”

With the Martinsville game behind them, the Knights look toward Friday’s matchup at Richlands. The Blue Tornadoes crushed their opening-round opponent, Grayson County, 63-7.

“We know they (Richlands) are a good program,” said Gill. “They have a very potent passing attack, and we are going to go out there and give it everything we got.”

Last season Richlands advanced to the VHSL Region 2A semifinals, losing 13-7 to Wilson Memorial. The Blue Tornadoes finished that season 10-5.

“Although we are looking forward, it was just a great win for tonight,” said Gill. “We live another week, and that is what it is all about.”