Blythewood falls to rival Ridge View

BLYTHEWOOD – Blythewood went into their rival week hoping to get their streak back against the Blazers.  Despite a good defensive effort by Blythewood, they fell short as Ridge View, for the second year in a row, defeated the Bengals 17-9.

Both offenses struggled in the first quarter as defenses dominated in the opening possessions.  Blythewood gave up a safety on its second possession, giving the Blazers a 2-0 lead with 9:21 left in the first quarter.

Bengal quarterback Quinton Patten (5) pivots and tangles up the pursuing Ridge View defensive back Isaiah Porter.
Photo/Goflashwin

“Both defenses played their tails off tonight as we could never get any rhythm against one another,” said Bengals head coach Brian Smith.  “I believe our ability to not get a consistent drive going on the offensive side of the ball hurt us in the long haul of the game.”

Both defenses continued to leave their presence on the field as neither was able to get their offenses to generate points on the board.  Miles Heitman connected on a 25-yard field goal with 7:32 left in the second, giving Blythewood a 3-2 lead at halftime.

“Despite our struggles on the offensive side of the ball, I felt confident after some minor adjustments after halftime we could extend our lead in this game,” said Coach Smith.

Blythewood received the opening possession of the third quarter but fumbled the ball away.  Blythewood fumbled four times and only recovered two.  Ridge View would capitalize with turnover scoring on a five-play, 35-yard drive that resulted in a W. Napper score on a seven-yard run.  T. Jett scored the 2-point conversion, giving Ridge View a 10-3 lead with 10:22 left in the third quarter.

Both defenses continued to dictate the game as neither offense mustered any more points in the third.  The Bengals furthered hindered their chances of a comeback in the fourth quarter as Ridge View’s C. Perry returned an interception 12 yards with 9:34 left in the game for a touchdown, expanding the lead 17-3.

Quinto Patten cut the Blazer lead with a late 13-yard touchdown run, but a missed extra point made the deficit 17-9.  A failed onside kick by the Bengals ended the game as Blythewood fell 17-9.

After the game, Coach Smith reflected on areas the team needs to focus on before their game against Fairfield. “Turnovers would kill us most of the night on offense.  Ridge View has a very active defense and made sure we were not able to ever get comfortable with what we try to do on offense. Going four-for-thirteen on third down conversions and giving up six sacks as well as those three turnovers just kept leaving us in neutral. We will have this figured out before our next game.”

Blythewood’s next game is against Fairfield Central High School on August 31 at 7:00 pm.

Contact us: (803) 767-5711 | P.O. Box 675, Blythewood, SC 29016 | [email protected]