By Thomas Grant Jr.
The 2024 season proved to be a gauntlet for Ridge View football.
It ended last Friday at undefeated Summerville in the third round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs. The Green Wave handed the Blazers a 49-20 defeat led by running by Javyn Williams’ four touchdown runs.
Ridge View quarterback Tre Howard threw two touchdowns and finished his first season as starter with over 2,400 passing yards.
The lone remaining Northeast playoff team finished the season with an 8-5 record. A closer look at their schedule shows how impressive their showing was given the level of competition:
-The combined record of the five teams who defeated Ridge View – Northwestern, Dutch Fork, Camden, Sumter, and Summerville – are 56-4. All five teams reached the third round of the playoffs.
– Northwestern, Dutch Fork, Sumter and Summerville are a combined 47-0 will play in the Class 5A Division I and Division II Upper and Lower State finals Friday. Fairfield Central, who Ridge View defeated in Week 0, is competing in the Class 2A Upper State final.
– All 12 Ridge View opponents made the playoffs. Ten of the 12 teams had winning records and eight won a first-round game.
The Blazers will lose key players like wide receiver Jordon Gidron, running back Bradley Wilson, offensive lineman Joshua Ladd and linebackers Jordan Outen and defensive linemen Darryl Spencer and Cleve Tellery.
Gidron will play in the Under Armour All-American Game on Jan. 3 in Orlando, Fla. Both Ladd and Tellery were picked to the South team at the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl Dec. 21 at Doug Shaw Stadium in Myrtle Beach.
Ridge View head coach Derek Howard and Westwood head coach Mark McClain are assistants on the team.
“Not the ending we wanted but the future is bright for Blazer football,” a tweet from Ridge View Football. “Seniors, THANK YOU for your contributions this season. You have laid a solid foundation for us to build upon. It goes without saying that we love you all and you will always have a home here on Hard Scrabble. Underclassmen, the off-season starts now!”
Photo by Assistant Coach Dee Gladney – Ridge View defensive lineman Clarence Stokes and tight ends Jayden Dunn and Liam Mueller with assistant coach Dee Gladney.
