RICHMOND – From the opening kickoff, Richmond defenders planted a red-hot brand on the Mules’ backside and the offense rounded up five touchdowns to corral a 35-8 playoff victory Nov. 5 at home. Lathrop took the opening kickoff and galloped across midfield to the 36-yard line, but at that point, Richmond reined in the drive through solid defensive plays. Junior Jack Gogue’s backfield tackle tied up the Mules, leaving them with a third-and-22, forcing a punt – fouled up – that surrendered the ball at Lathrop’s 25. Richmond took advantage of the gift. Senior quarterback Keyshaun Elliott got the Spartans started with a 6-yard run to the 18. The Mules provided another gift, a 5-yard infraction. From the 13, junior running back Aidan Ivison ran in the touchdown and Elliott rushed for the two-point conversion to take an 8-0 lead less than 4 minutes into the first quarter. “I saw a hole open and I hit it hard,” Ivison said moments after the game. “I just had to break one tackle and I had…