ORANGE PARK – Perhaps it was a sign of things to come when Ridgeview broke the banner which read, “Don’t be blue its not just your Knight.”
Maybe the Ridgeview cheerleaders were on to something or maybe they can just see into the future. Whatever the case maybe, it was truly a night to remember for Ridgeview and a nightmare for Creekside.
In what became a huge showdown this week, after both stopped their combined losing streaks of 40 consecutive games with wins last week, this game was anything but a showdown. Ridgeview asked their students and fans to wear blue for the Blue Out; but by the time the game was over the only one blue was the Creekside fans.
Ridgeview (1-0) jumped on Creekside (0-1) early and often in a 49-17 win at Panthers Stadium, after racing out to a 21-0 first quarter lead.
The Panthers scored on their first five possessions of the game to take a quick 35-0 lead midway through the second quarter thanks to a potent offense, which has now scored 95 points into two games.
After forcing a quick three and out on the Knights opening drive, Ridgeview junior quarterback Tyler Huff quickly began exposing the Knights defense.
Aided by sophomore wide receiver Denali Lindo, Huff began picking apart the Knights secondary play after play. After catching two receptions from Huff on the drive which picked up two first downs, Lindo threw a key block which sprung Huff down the sideline 23 yards for the first score of the game and 7-0 lead four minutes into the game.
Two plays after the score, tailback Bryson Rusamaroff fumbled the handoff from Tai Lavatai and into the hands of Panthers tackle Dyson Smith at the 32-yard line.
Huff found Jacolbi Sampson for a 30 yard completion down to the 2-yard line, which set up Huff’s two yard sneak which increased the lead to 14-0 just two minutes later.
Lavatai couldn’t get into a groove offensively at all, over throwing receivers starting out 1 for 9 for 10 yards before being pulled for backup Jake Forcier just before halftime.
Junior defensive end Dominic Stanfield was a force on defense throughout the game and sacked Lavatai on the second drive which forced another punt.
Seven plays later, Huff threw a backwards pass to Caleb Plyler, who raced 50 yards down the right sideline for a 21-0 lead still in the first quarter.
Creekside head coach Sean McIntyre gambled on their next drive after a quick and three out, by electing to go for it on fourth and long from its own 35-yard line. Lavatai pass was nearly completed for a first down but knocked away at the last second giving the Panthers the ball back.
Seven plays later, Huff connected with Brian Jackson on a 14 yard fade route for a 28-0 shocking lead minutes into the second quarter.
Huff found Wayman Eady wide open for a 55 yard completion on the first play of the next drive to put the Panthers back in the red zone.
Creekside defense forced a field goal; but a low snap on the 24 yard field goal attempt forced Huff the holder to scramble left and take off and race 7 yards untouched for the 35-0 lead with 5:19 left in the first half.
McIntyre had seen enough and pulled Lavatai for Forcier on the ensuing drive. Forcier came off the bench and began the drive 3 for 3 to finally move the Knights down the field.
A pass interference call put the Knights into the red zone finally but the Panthers defense held and forced a 35 yard field goal from Brandon Marchand to finally put the Knights on the board cutting the lead to 35-3 with 2:46 left till half.
After forcing a rare Ridgeview punt, Creekside drove back down the field and lined up for a 28-yard field on the final play of the half, but Marchand hooked it wide left as the Knights went into the locker room down 35-3 at the half.
Receiving the second half kickoff, Ridgeview had a chance to force a running clock with a quick score which they did. Six plays into the opening drive, Huff connected with Lindo across the middle for a 22 yard score and 42-3 lead minutes into the third quarter.
Lavatai was inserted back into the game on the opening drive of the third quarter and led the Knights to a score hitting Ej Mohr on a fade route cutting the lead to 42-10 with 2:29 left in the third.
Stanfield made his third big play of the game sacking Lavatai on the ensuing drive forcing another three and out and punt by the Knights.
Four plays later, Rolando Grey zig zagged 18 yards untouched for a score with five minutes left in the game increasing the lead to 49-10.
Lavatai closed out the scoring with a 11 yard toss to Wood with 1:34 left in the game to bring the running clock game finally to a close.
Huff finished the game 8 of 15 for 183 yards and two touchdown, while also accumulating 66 yards and three touchdowns on 6 carries. Plyler added 84 yards and one touchdown on 8 carries, while Lindo had 4 catches for 69 yards with one touchdown.
Quite a difference for the Panthers offense which struggled to score scoring only 30 points in a game once last season.
“We have a lot of good skill players, I think the best in Northeast Florida for sure, last year our offensive line was very young but now they have come together and we have a great team this year,” Huff said about the difference between last year and this year.
“It’s the same offense as last year we added maybe 3 more passing plays but that’s it, it’s the same offense were just executing better,” Huff said.
His coach echoed those statements as well.
“We play really hard and its not all about schemes its about getting guys ready and play hard and make plays.” Ridgeview coach Cameron Porch said about his offense.
One guy particular who consistently makes plays is Huff.
“Tyler is a great leader, he’s what you want in a quarterback,” Porch stated. “He’s got a great head on his shoulders and always does the right thing and leads by example.”
While the defense continues to light up the scoreboard with 102 combined points so far, the defense is carrying its own weight too and Porch recognized them too.
“We play to our strength its just really the same guys we just cater to our strengths and execute our game plans better,” Porch stated about his defense.
One of those guys that stood out tonight on defense was Stanfield, who was consistently disrupting plays with sacks, tackles for a loss or just being in the right position.
“We’ve learned from our mistakes last year and now we execute better, we’ve got a lot stronger and those guys that were freshman and sophomores are now juniors and more experienced as well.” Stanfield said. ”
What was an 18 game losing streak has now become a two game winning steak now and Porch and the players hope to extend that to three in a row with a win over Westside (0-2) next week.
