By Thomas Grant Jr.

A foot injury cost Ridge View quarterback Tre Howard his junior season.

He’s now making up for that absence by getting ready for a post-season run. The Blazers defeated Gray Collegiate Academy 57-28 last Thursday at home to win the Region 5-5A title.

It’s the first region since 2007 for Ridge View, which closes out the regular season against rival Blythewood looking to extend a 6-game winning streak.

“It’s very special,” said Howard, who was selected to play for the North team at the Touchdown Energy Cooperatives Bowl Dec. 19 in Myrtle Beach . “I remember growing up all these years just being on the sidelines at Ridge View, being a ballboy. Just having so many friends out here. Just enjoying my time. Being out here with the team…knowing my journey is coming to an end, I’m very excited to be able to become a Blazer and play all four years here and just do what I wanted to do since I was a young kid.”

Howard threw for 258 yards and four touchdowns in the victory. Wide receiver Kanye Reed caught two touchdowns and Shrine Bowl wide receiver Khristian Jackson caught one and had an 85-yard kickoff return TD.

Running back Spencer Bobian Jr. also scored twice and rushed for 146 yards. Chris Capers and backup quarterback Bijon Virgo both had rushing touchdowns and the Blazers’ defense had two interceptions.

Ridge View (6-2) now looks to improve its Maxpreps.com RPI ratings that’s used to determine playoff seeding. As of last Saturday, it’s currently seeded third behind James Island and Berkeley and will have a first-round bye.

“I think this team is a state championship caliber team,” Ridge View head coach Derek Howard said. “I think they’ve got an opportunity to play with anybody that lines up across from them and the best think about it is they’ve seen everybody.”

WEEK 9 SCORES

Blythewood 34, Spring Valley 14

Landyn Strong rushed for 166 yards and a touchdown and quarterback James Veasey had a touchdown for the Bengals (4-5, 1-2).

The win snapped a 4-game losing streak for Blythewood, while it was the 17th consecutive loss for the Vikings (0-9, 0-3).

Hammond School 55, Cardinal Newman 0

Lugoff-Elgin 43, Richland Northeast 12

A.C. Flora 28, Westwood 7

WEEK 10 SCHEDULE

Ridge View at Blythewood

John Paul II at Cardinal Newman

Westwood at Richland Northeast

Sumter at Spring Valley

S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA WEEK 9 POLL
Class 5A 
1. Dutch Fork (8), 2. Northwestern (8), 3. James Island, 4. Dorman, 5. Berkeley, 6. Byrnes, 7. Fort Mill, 8. Boiling Springs, 9. Ridge View, 10. River Bluff
Others receiving votes: Rock Hill; Carolina Forest; Lexington; Summerville

Photos by Thomas Grant Jr.