By Thomas Grant Jr.
In back-to-back weeks, Ridge View pushed both defending Class 5A champions Northwestern and Dutch Fork to the brink.
Despite their best efforts, the Blazers came up seven points short on the road for the second straight week.
After falling 35-28 to the second-ranked Trojans in Rock Hill, they traveled to Irmo to face top-ranked Dutch Fork. It was the WACH 57 Sonic Friday Night Rivals Game of the Week.
Ridge View either led or were tied with the 3-time defending Division I champions for over 47 minutes.
With 38.9 seconds left, quarterback Jaxon Knotts scampered 25 yards through the Blazer defense for the go-ahead touchdown. The Silver Foxes held on for the 28-21 victory to extend their S.C. High School League-best 24-game winning streak.
Afterwards, Ridge View head coach Derek Howard and his team refused to console themselves with “moral victory” talk.
“Hopefully, they’ll hate the fact that they lost,” he said. “I don’t know if there’s much to pick up from other than we were in situations to win two games that we didn’t close out.”
The Blazers scored 14 of their points off special teams. A recovered muffed punt set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Spencer Bobian and Khristian Jackson returned the second-half kickoff 97 yards for a score.
Jackson later left the game with a shoulder injury following a leaping reception. The Blazers also saw offensive linemen James Ross and Jordan Senior go down with leg injuries on consecutive plays late in the game.
Both were responsible for blocking Michigan defensive lineman commit Julian Walker for most of the game. He capitalized off their absence with a game-ending sack.
Speaking of injuries, quarterback Ashton Chapman made his first start with starter Tre Howard out for the season with a dislocated foot. The sophomore completed 17-29 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown to Carter Coleman.
While the Blazers’ offense had success in the air, it managed only 19 rushing yards. They also had a missed field goal and was unable to capitalize off scoring opportunities against a Dutch Fork secondary which has looked vulnerable.
Howard is hoping his team can build some confidence from their play against Northwestern and Dutch Fork. More importantly, the Blazers look to try to “close out” an opponent.
Ridge View (1-2) looks to rebound against another undefeated Top 10 opponent in Class 4A Camden (3-0). This is the first meeting in two years between the two schools with the Bulldogs holding a 2-1 series advantage.
S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA POLL
Class 5A
1. Dutch Fork (15) (2-0)
2. Northwestern (5) (3-0)
3. Irmo (3-0)
4. Greenwood (2-0)
5. Summerville (2-1)
6. Byrnes (1-1)
7. James Island (3-0)
8. Dorman (2-1)
9. Gaffney (1-2)
10. Ridge View (1-2)
Others receiving votes: Sumter, White Knoll, Greenville, Carolina Forest, Berkeley, Fort Mill, Spartanburg
Westwood, Spring Valley go to 2-1
The ground game was effective for the Redhawks in their 53-14 win over Richland Northeast.
Jovan Howard rushed for four touchdowns and Jaylen Donaldson, Angelo Rios and Quentin McGill all rushed for scores. Quarterback Carrington Carter threw for two scores in a balanced attacked by Westwood (2-1).
Over in Chapin, a touchdown run by Zion Bennett and PAT was enough to lift Spring Valley to a 7-6 victory. The two wins by the Vikings are the most for the program since 2022.
In other Northeast action, Blythewood could not overcome three interceptions in a 33-7 loss to undefeated Fort Mill. Quarterback James Veasey threw for the Bengals’ lone touchdown.
A week after a forfeit loss to Dreher, Cardinal Newman dropped to 0-3 following a 49-12 loss to Christ School.
WEEK 3 SCHEDULE
(All Games Start at 7:30 p.m.)
Thursday’s Games
Nation Ford at Richland Northeast
Catawba Ridge at Spring Valley
Friday’s Games
Cardinal Newman at Ben Lippen
Keenan at Blythewood
Camden at Ridge View
Airport at Westwood
