What We Saw: Sumter 49, Ridge View 6

Thomas Grant November 8, 2024 @ 11:14 PM

BLYTHEWOOD | Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1603974' first='Franklin' last='Richardson'] has made an immediate impact in the Sumter football culture in his first season.    His dual threat ability ingrained into the Gamecocks' grinding offense has them rolling to an undefeated record.    Richardson put those talents on display in Friday's 49-6 win over Ridge View. He rushed for two scores and threw a 44-yard touchdown pass in stride to [player_tooltip player_id='1819514' first='Jamirh' last='Bey'] in the second half to help the Gamecocks finish the season 10-0 and Region V-5A champions.    “We've put him in an offense where his athletic ability helps us,” Sumter head coach Mark Barnes said. “We can throw the football. We just don't throw it a lot but when we do throw it, he throws it well.”    Richardson wasted little time making an impact for the Gamecocks. He turned 2 read options into touchdown runs of 59 and 34 yards in the 1st quarter.   Richardson's ability to fake out the Blazer defenders running RPO opened opportunities for his backfield mates. [player_tooltip player_id='1012696' first='Kameron' last='Fortune'] scored the first of his two touchdowns in which he stayed upright, spun out of an attempted ankle tackle and raced 50 yards for a touchdown.   Fortune added a 35-yard scoring run in which he reversed field and burst down the home sidelines.   [player_tooltip player_id='809744' first='John' last='Peeples'] (pictured) entered the scoring act in the third quarter. The school's all-time leading rusher scored on a 3-yard score set up by runs of 15 and 25 yards by Richardson.   Sumter turned to its bench and got a 34-yard touchdown run from Cleveland Pinkney in the fourth quarter.   “Our quarterback can play, both tailbacks can play and both create explosive plays for us,” Barnes said.     While Sumter's offense scored 40 or more points for the ninth time this season, its defense limited a Ridge View offense which welcomed back All-State wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='233146' first='Jordon' last='Gidron'].    It was a quiet return for the University of South Carolina commit. He caught two receptions which both led to first downs.    Sumter's quickness upfront from defensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='595702' first='Anthony' last='Addison'], Michael McCray, Ra'Shaun Dickey and Cameron Bradley limited long runs by Ridge View's backfield.   Ridge View was also playing with a first-time starter in Nevan Gaither, who was replacing injured starter [player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard'].   Linebackers Nashaun Brown and [player_tooltip player_id='1359132' first='Jeremiah' last='Burson'] and defensive back Tymaries Thompson-DuRant also created havoc both around the line of scrimmage and in the secondary. Defensive back Da'von Bowman also had an interception.   “We played really good defense tonight which we haven't done this year,” Barnes said. “It was a good night to do that.”    Gaither did throw a 23-yard touchdown to Khristian Jackson as he made an over the shoulder catch while heavily covered in the endzone.   Sumter is expected to have a first-round bye in the Class 5A Division II Lower State playoffs.

BLYTHEWOOD | Sophomore Franklin Richardson Franklin Richardson 5'10" | 215 lbs | QB Sumter | 2027 State SC has made an immediate impact in the Sumter football culture in his first season.