Ridge View Wins First Region Title Since 2007

By Thomas Grant Jr.

Contributing Writer

Columbia - Last year at this time, Ridge View senior quarterback Tre Howard was a bystander after suffering a season-ending foot injury in the season opener.

On Thursday, the fully healthy Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl selection led the Blazers to their first region title since 2007. He threw four touchdowns in the 57-28 win over Gray Collegiate Academy.

It was the sixth straight win for Ridge View (6-2, 3-0) following a 0-2 start with losses to defending state champions Dutch Fork and Oceanside Collegiate Academy.

“It’s very special,” Howard said. “I remember growing up all these years just being on the sidelines at Ridge View, being a ballboy. Just having so many friends out here. Just enjoying my time. Being out here with the team…knowing my journey is coming to an end, I’m very excited to be able to become a Blazer and play all four years here and just do what I wanted to do since I was a young kid.”

The game featured several All-Star selections and some of the top offensive players in the state. It did not disappoint as the two teams combined for 35 points in a span of 6 ½ minutes.



Howard opened the game with the first of two touchdown passes to senior Kayne Reed. After the kickoff, Gray Collegiate Academy quarterback Xavier Wright found an open C.J. Gleaton for a 75-yard touchdown.

It was the first of three scoring plays between the two War Eagle juniors.

It only took 14 seconds for Ridge View to answer with a score. Shrine Bowl wide receiver selection Khristian Jackson fielded the kickoff and burst up field for an 85-yard touchdown.

The War Eagles tried to strike back, but the Blazers got an interception off a pass deflection. Ridge View capitalized with a 37-yard touchdown run by Chris Capers to make it 21-7 with 4:43 left in the first quarter. 

The scoring barrage ended at the 2:56 mark when Howard launched a 76-yard bomb to Isaiah Smalls for a touchdown.

Ridge View led 42-7 at halftime after Howard’s second touchdown pass to Reed and the first of two touchdown runs by Spencer Bobian. One of the scores was set up by an interception by Raymond Jones.

The second half saw Wright, who finished with 324 passing yards to close in on 2,500 for the season, find Gleaton twice for scores. In the fourth quarter, Jackson broke free from a tackle after a reception for his second touchdown and an errant snap by the War Eagles resulted in a safety to make it 50-21.

Backup quarterback Bijon Virgo scored on a keeper for Ridge View and Wright scored on a touchdown run to close out the scoring. This was also the regular-season finale for Gray Collegiate (4-6, 2-2), which will finish third in Region 5-5A in its first season in Class 5A.

Ridge View closes out the regular season at Northeast area rival Blythewood. It now looks to strengthen its RPI rating and position themselves for a long playoff run.

“I think this team is a state championship caliber team,” Howard said. “I think they’ve got an opportunity to play with anybody that lines up across from them and the best think about it is they’ve seen everybody.”