RICHMOND – In 2018 and 2019, the Lathrop Mules ended Richmond’s football seasons with crushing, on-the-road playoff losses – 49-0 and 44-6. Richmond provided a heaping helping of that same hospitality Aug. 28 as the host school to open the 2020 season, thrashing the Mules, 44-6. “Those guys ended our season the last two years,” Richmond coach Nick Persell said afterward. Persell shrugged off the opportunity to gloat, recog Persell shrugged off the opportunity to gloat, recognizing Lathrop is in a rebuilding season after losing several seniors to graduation. He seized the chance, though, to praise his Spartans for delivering a strong performance offensively and defensively. “We only gave up six points,” he said. Persell said his offense and defense played well in the non-conference meeting, but adjustments are needed if the Spartans are going to record a winning season. “The scoreboard looked good, but we still have a long way to go,” he said. One of several targets Richmond…