Offensive Line Lets Ridge View Run Over Westwood 46-8

COLUMBIA | Rainy conditions can sometimes impede fast-paced teams who rely on the passing game.   Adjusting from airing it out to an all-out ground attack did not deter Ridge View. Friday night on the road, the Blazers used their running game to overwhelm Westwood 46-8.   It was the 10th straight victory for the Blazers (5-1, 1-0) against their Richland District Two rival.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819592' first='Ryan' last='Williams'] rushed for three touchdowns and [player_tooltip player_id='1149057' first='Spencer' last='Bobian'] added a score for the Blazers.   Both running backs benefited from Ridge View's punishing offensive line. It's a group that all measure six feet tall or higher and average more than 250 pounds.   Whether it was [player_tooltip player_id='1719469' first='Jordan' last='Senior'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1822157' first='Joshua' last='Braveboy'] on the right side, [player_tooltip player_id='1811119' first='James' last='Ross'] or [player_tooltip player_id='1656657' first='Joseph' last='Braveboy'] on the left or center [player_tooltip player_id='1734633' first='Savion' last='Taylor-Sanders'] and running back [player_tooltip player_id='1283827' first='Aidan' last='Keeffe'] as an extra blocker, Williams and Bobian found clean lanes to run through throughout the first half.   “They're amazing,” Williams said. “They're always there for me. They never miss a block. No mistake. If anything, they hold each other accountable. They make sure I'm doing good and make sure I'm making them look good.”   “They're good,” Westwood coach Stephen Burris said. “They're well-coached. (Assistant coach) Adam Gamble does a great job with their guys. You can see it on film. They're communicating, they're stepping in the right direction. They're doing all the little things to make their offensive line a top tier unit.   “(Head Coach Derek) Howard, Coach Gamble and his knowledge and the rest of those guys on the staff who do a great job with those kids and they just got after us for four quarters. Just relentless.”   The dominant run game made for a quiet night for Ridge View quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1350429' first='Ashton' last='Chapman']. The sophomore had a touchdown pass to [player_tooltip player_id='1818714' first='Carter' last='Coleman'] in the first half, but threw two interceptions in the second half.   A holding penalty took away a punt return for a touchdown for Coleman. He came back to return a punt nearly 40 yards to set up Williams' second touchdown.   While Ridge View thrived in the wet elements, the Redhawks (4-2) struggled with dropped passes. They also were unable to contain linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1537475' first='D'Juan' last='Franklin'] and Markeith Thomas who led the Blazers' defense with their aggressive play upfront.   Westwood's lone offensive highlight occurred late in the first half. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1312448' first='Jovan' last='Howard'] burst through an opening from his own 25 and raced into the open field for a sure touchdown.   Instead, hustling free safety [player_tooltip player_id='1168540' first='Quency' last='Grant'] caught Howard and dragged him down at the 1-yard line. It was similar to a chase down Grant did last summer against Chapin at the Chapin Kickoff Classic.   “When it comes to chase downs, it's just really effort,” he said. “You're either going to let that guy beat you to the end zone or you're going to get to him and stop him from scoring. I've got the mentality where I'm not going to let him score.”   “Quency has so much heart and he plays the game with so much passion,” Ridge View coach Derek Howard said. “He's the type of kid that you want to have on your team and you hate to have to play him if you see him on the other team. I think he plays ways beyond his size. He's got a big heart and a load of talent.”   Grant's tackle momentarily kept Westwood off the board as quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1734561' first='Carrington' last='Carter'] hit [player_tooltip player_id='1818973' first='Miles' last='Grant'] for a 3-yard touchdown pass.   The defenses buckled down for both teams in the second half, particularly the secondary.  Defensive back Justin Washingon of Westwood and safety [player_tooltip player_id='1818586' first='Kingston' last='Lucas'] of Ridge View each had interceptions within a minute of each other.   Following the turnover, the Blazers' running game marched them downfield again. This time, Bobian scored from a yard out with 10:21 left in the fourth quarter.   Fittingly, junior Bijon Virgo closed out the scoring for Ridge View with a rushing touchdown. Both teams face fellow Richland School District Two School Spring Valley the next two weeks.   OTHER NOTES:     Westwood defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1818963' first='Raymond' last='Cooper'] also had an interception in the second half. Earlier in the game, [player_tooltip player_id='1819190' first='Jayven' last='McClain'] had a pass breakup in the endzone for Westwood to prevent a touchdown.   The Ridge View secondary was missing All-State defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1267280' first='Jordyn' last='Best'] with an injury. Coleman also left the game for a series after his ankle was twisted during a punt return.    Through five games, the sophomore has rewarded the confidence placed upon him by head coach Derek Howard. He's completed nearly 60 percent of his passes and has thrown six touchdowns to four interceptions. Thrusted into a starting role following the season-ending injury to [player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard'], Chapman fulfills the mission of the offense in getting the ball to the playmakers. He's most effective with short passes and putting the football where the speedy wide receivers can make a play. While not a full-fledge dual threat quarterback, Chapman moves quickly in the pocket and looks to take care of the football.

COLUMBIA | Rainy conditions can sometimes impede fast-paced teams who rely on the passing game.