Ridge View Controls Its Destiny in Win Over Gray Collegiate

Ridge View did not wait for the game to settle. Under the Thursday night lights, the Blazers and Gray Collegiate traded blows from the opening snap, then Ridge View turned the early chaos into complete control.

Ridge View scored a 57–28 victory, building a 42–7 halftime lead and keeping its region championship hopes in its own hands.

A four-minute scoring burst

The first four minutes looked like a track meet. Ridge View quarterback Derek Howard III, No. 3, opened the scoring with a touchdown pass to senior receiver Kanye Reed, No. 8.

Gray answered on the first play from scrimmage. Quarterback Xavier Wright, No. 4, found Corey Gleaton, No. 2, for a touchdown pass that briefly evened the game.

Ridge View answered again before Gray could settle in. Khristian Jackson, No. 4, fielded the ensuing kickoff and raced back for a touchdown, adding another explosive play to a frantic opening stretch.

Ridge View finds its rhythm

After the opening exchange, the Blazers settled into their game plan. Howard kept attacking downfield, and Ridge View’s receiving corps consistently found space against Gray’s defense.

The Blazers scored on their first six possessions, while the defense created pressure and forced turnovers that kept Gray from building momentum. Every War Eagles answer was met by another Ridge View response.

By halftime, Ridge View had turned a fast start into a 42–7 advantage. Gray never found a sustained rhythm after the break, and the Blazers finished the night with a 57–28 win.

Ridge View’s speed created the early separation. Its defense made sure Gray never found a way back into the game.

One game remains

The result gave Ridge View its sixth straight win and kept the Blazers in control of their own destiny. But the region championship is not secured yet.

Ridge View must defeat Blythewood on Oct. 30 to claim the Region 4-5A title and cement its place at the top of the region.

Gray Collegiate closes the regular season 4–6 overall and 2–2 in region play. After a difficult stretch that included the October loss to Sumter, the War Eagles will now wait to see how the 5A playoff field takes shape.