Battle for Blanding Boulevard, part I

Rivalry weeks are usually scheduled to end the football season with a bang, but the teams from Ridgeview and Orange Park High Schools just couldn't wait to get at each other.

The Ridgeview Panthers were hosted by the Orange Park Raiders Friday night, and it may have been the first game of the season for both teams but playoff intensity engulfed the field.

"I transfered in to Orange Park last January, so this was my first experience with the rivalry with Ridgeview," said Kamron Fasnacht, Raider quarterback. "It was intense, there was some trash talking going on before the game."

Homeowners on Wells road could probably hear the intensity as the hits kept getting louder and louder. Ridgeview spent most of the first half on the attack, but the Raider defense often found a way to get itself out of trouble. 

The Raider defense, lead by Demetre Baker, Caleb Barker, Darian Donaldson and Ricky Wright, never let Ridgeview quarterback Derek Hatcher get comfortable in the backfield during the first half. Junior Chris Dent jarred the ball loose from Hatcher with the Panthers up 10-6 with under 30 seconds left in the first half. The Panthers drive stalled at the Orange Park 15-yard line after Raider junior Cody Eaton recovered the fumble.

The Raiders were lucky to be within four points at the half after giving up 75 yards in penalties during the first half.

Ridgeview found their stride in the second half and also found themselves under three Fasnacht passes.

"We were able to hold (Orange Park) and shut them down on defense long enough for our offense to make a big play," said Tom MacPherson, Ridgeview head coach. "The interceptions helped."

Brandon McGee, Austin Johnson and Tyler Bass all intercepted Raider passes in the second half. Bass also contributed on offense, with a 9-yard touchdown run.

Bass continued to play well on defense late into the game. He was matched up with Kirhy "Snake Legs" Smith down the home sideline on a deep pass. Bass dove and deflected the pass that would've went for six if he didn't get his hands on it.

"(Bass) always comes through," Hatcher said of his Ridgeview teammate. "Just give him the ball and he'll make the plays."

Bass' touchdown run could've taken the fight out of the Raiders, but they wouldn't give up with two minutes left.

Fasnacht directed the Raiders on an 85-yard drive that ended with him connecting with receiver Deron Talley on a 28-yard touchdown pass to pull the Raiders to 16-12 with a just under a minute left. The onside kick was recovered by Ridgeview and they ran out the clock.

"My hat's off to (Ridgeview)," said Ted Leasor, Sr. "Their kids outplayed our kids. Their coaches out-coached our coaches."

The Raiders travel to Bolles next week, while the Panthers host Matanzas.

Scoring Summary
Ridgeview-3 7 0 6- 16
Orange Park-0 6 0 6- 12

First Quarter
RV-Hon 23-yard field goal
Second Quarter
RV- Kohn 2-yard run (Hon PAT)
OP- Fasnacht 14-yard pass Smith(kick failed)
Fourth Quarter
RV- Bass 9-yard run (kick failed)
OP- Fasnacht 28-yard pass Talley(pass failed)