On Campus: Ridge View Blazers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>COLUMBIA |</strong> There was an air of familiarity at Ridge View during Friday's spring game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Any kid that threw a touchdown, ran a touchdown, caught a touchdown and the majority of our defensive backfield, they're all returning,” Ridge View head football coach Derek Howard said. “All of them. So we really feel really good about that group. We started spring football; it looked like football. It didn't look like we were a long ways away other than our young kids that were on our ninth grade team which they've got a lot of development to go.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was three-year lettermen quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard']</strong> finding wide receivers not named <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='233146' first='Jordon' last='Gidron'] </strong>during the scrimmage. Such an approach did not change with starters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1168540' first='Quency' last='Grant']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172363' first='Khristian' last='Jackson'],</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267280' first='Jordyn' last='Best']</strong> not in action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It's a talented group and, quite honestly, we've got 10 kids off this team that will be running for a state championship next week,” Howard said. “We've got kids like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172363' first='Khristian' last='Jackson']</strong> that's got several P4 offers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1042719' first='Hayden' last='Morris']</strong> is out here…he has several offers. <strong>Omari Johnson</strong> is a young man that's a four-year varsity player for us. He's done it for a long time.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Receiver wise, we keep retooling. Next man up. Next man up. I'm proud of these guys and what they do. But the reality is, it's system heavy as well. Plug the next guy in.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Providing protection upfront and running lanes for tailback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149057' first='Spencer' last='Bobian']</strong> and fullback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1283827' first='Aidan' last='Keeffe'] </strong>were offensive linemen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1719469' first='Jordan' last='Senior']</strong>, <strong>Joshua Braveboy,</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1656657' first='Joseph' last='Braveboy']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I could just do it all,” Senior said. “I can pass protect. I can run block. I can do it all.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Howard challenged the team to show more physicality, both Bobian and Keefe had their share of long punishing runs. It was Bobian who accounted for the lone offensive touchdown of the scrimmage. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the defensive side, there were returning players at new positions making an impact. Rising senior<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1537475' first='D'Juan' last='Franklin'] </strong>showed his quick adjustment from inside to outside linebacker with a touchdown off a turnover.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was also an opportunity for newcomers at linebacker and in the secondary to get significant play. Rising senior outside linebacker <strong>Alante Morrison</strong> is among the promising rising junior varsity player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-0, 172-pounder brings quickness, intensity, and a motivation to finally break into the starting lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“My work ethic, just coming in, putting in work in, not giving up and making sure my teammates are straight at all times,” said Morrison about his personal strengths.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising senior safety <strong>Isaiah Kennedy</strong> (pictured making tackle) also looks to make an impact as a first-year starter. The 6-foot-1, 160-pound Kennedy is an aggressive tackler who also takes pride in reading the quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising senior defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1586763' first='Thaddius' last='Rush']</strong> also exhibited his aggressive play in the secondary. He showed fast close out speed on a fierce hit on Bobian to end the first half. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall, the scrimmage confirmed Howard's current observations of the team. It served to provide a blueprint for the summer months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Our older guys, they're older, their experienced,” he said. “They know what to do. We've just got to get them in shape. Our younger guys, they're a long ways away from being ready to play on Thursday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“So that's where we are. We need to take the summertime to get stronger and get into good conditioning and I think once we gets there, we'll be in a situation where we can compete against anybody we play against.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->