Dorman Flexes Muscle In Win Over Ridge View

Jed Blackwell November 21, 2025 @ 11:03 PM

ROEBUCK | [player_tooltip player_id='1708614' first='Jabez' last='Thomas'] looks right at home with the football in his hands.   That's probably because he'd still love to be a quarterback.   "I enjoy it very much," he said. "Quarterback, if I'm being honest, that's my heart. I'd love to play quarterback in college."   He'll settle instead for being one of the top cornerbacks in the state, and Dorman's short-yardage QB, and a dynamic kick returner.   A little of all of that was on display on Friday. Thomas picked off his seventh pass of the season, broke up two passes, made three tackles, rushed for a touchdown, and added 66 kick return yards as the Cavaliers thumped Ridge View 35-14 to move on to the 5A Upper State championship game at Dutch Fork next week.   "We were preparing and focusing all week," he said. "I was doing all I needed to do, and just waiting on this day to come."   Thomas' scoring run came out of Dorman's short-yardage GATA formation. It was originally designed as a solution when the Cavaliers needed just a couple of yards. It's a direct snap to a player used to having the ball in his hands. Thomas fits in really nicely.   "He's an ultimate team player," Dorman coach Jake Morris said. "I know he'd love to play quarterback. But he's one of the best cornerbacks in the state, and he's played like it. He's selfless. He comes out here each week and plays his tail off for his teammates."   He had plenty of help, particularly on the ground. Dorman rushed for 278 yards on the night, with the bulk of it coming from junior RB [player_tooltip player_id='1664350' first='Nick' last='Means']. Means had 22 carries for 143 yards and scored twice, and freshman Carter Nash added 85 yards and a score on 15 carries. QB [player_tooltip player_id='340230' first='Meek' last='Slydell'] got in on the act with 39 rushing yards, and his spinning, diving run in the second quarter set up Thomas' touchdown that gave Dorman the lead for good.   He did plenty through the air as well, including clutch completions to Tregan Mickler, [player_tooltip player_id='1706651' first='Corey' last='Cole'], and Daishon Watkins-Hymes. His biggest completion of the night, though, was a little floater into the end zone that TE [player_tooltip player_id='1818125' first='Kamdyn' last='Miller'] snatched away from a defender to give Dorman a 14-6 advantage.   Dorman's defense was doing plenty, too. After Ridge View RB [player_tooltip player_id='1149057' first='Spencer' last='Bobian'] rushed for 73 yards and a seven-yard score on the Blazers' first drive, Dorman allowed just 119 total yards (and 70 on the ground) the rest of the way. [player_tooltip player_id='402497' first='Kentavion' last='Anderson'] had eight total tackles, a tackle for loss, and recovered a fumble for the Cavaliers. [player_tooltip player_id='1822665' first='Donovan' last='Anderson'] added six stops for Dorman, and the defensive line was dominant, as [player_tooltip player_id='1702151' first='James' last='Porter'] led the way with two tackles for loss.   Ridge View's defense was led by [player_tooltip player_id='402489' first='Davon' last='Toney'] with 10 tackles and DaSean Rush with seven. Bobian finished with 114 yards on the ground to lead the Blazers offensively. [player_tooltip player_id='1283827' first='Aidan' last='Keeffe'] added 20 yards on the ground, including a 17-yard touchdown.   Now, the Cavaliers will turn their attention to Dutch Fork. Thomas is happy to have the chance.   "It feels amazing to be practicing next week and getting to play more football," he said.

ROEBUCK | Jabez Thomas Jabez Thomas 6'0" | 165 lbs | ATH Dorman | 2027 SC looks right at home with the football in his hands.