RICHMOND – The Spartans learned over the weekend their second-round playoff opponent is Lathrop on Friday in Richmond. On Oct. 30, the Mules defeated Hogan Prep Academy 24-6 at Center High School in Kansas City for the right to challenge Richmond in the Class 2 District 8 playoffs. Richmond drew a first-week bye. The Spartans have reason for optimism. They cruised to victory, 40-6, over the Mules in the season opener Aug. 27. But in football, past success is no guarantee of future victories, as the Kansas City Chiefs have proved this year. Richmond expected to do well before the season started, based on comments from four-year starting quarterback Keyshaun Elliott during the Aug. 20 preseason jamboree at Odessa. “This is definitely the best it has ever been in my high school career so early,” Elliott said. “I feel good about this season. We should be playing a long way.” Senior wideout Layne Cavanah said core players knew what to expect entering the preseason and their skills…