ORANGE PARK - Ridgeview High running back Tyaun Edmondson gained 141 total yards and scored two touchdowns, leading the host Panthers to a 31-8 non-district victory over KIPP Bold City High on Friday, Oct. 3.

Ridgeview earned their second win with their most complete performance of the season, dominating on both sides of the ball. The Panthers racked up 207 yards of offense in the first half, 79 on the ground and 128 through the air, as they sped out to a 21-0 lead. The defense forced four turnovers and allowed just 36 net yards until the Greyhounds marched 54 yards on their final possession of the game.

Head coach Merlin Olson proved prophetic, saying before the game that if his Panthers eliminated the mistakes that had plagued them in their four losses this season, the game would not be close. It wasn’t.

“We are a lot better than 2-4 [Ridgeview’s current record],” said Smith. “When we are able to execute, this will be the outcome. I am excited for them [his players].”

Edmondson’s role is growing by the week. Just a sophomore, he is now the Panthers’ kick returner on special teams, slot receiver, occasional running back on offense and a defensive back on defense. On Friday, he led all pass catchers with 91 receiving yards and rushed for 50 yards on eight carries.

Smith likened Edmondson to a Swiss Army knife.

“He is generally a slot guy, but we put him in the backfield to get a change of pace, a little more speed,” Smith explained. “He also can run with a lot of power and is about to let the county and the area know that he is here to stay.”

Edmondson scored the Panthers’ second touchdown on a waggle route, feinting an inside cross before turning back to the outside. He took a short pass from quarterback Jordan Mesa, outran KIPP linebacker Elijah Elliott to the sideline, turned upfield and beat the oncoming Greyhound safeties to the pylon for a 27-yard score, giving Ridgeview a 14-0 lead with 3:52 remaining in the first quarter.

Edmondson put the game away with a 15-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, taking a jet sweep inside a block on the defensive end and carrying safety Jonathan Pierre into the end zone. At that point, Ridgeview led 31-0 with 9:35 left in the game.

Mesa connected with Treyvon Morene on a go route on Ridgeview’s first offensive play for a 28-yard touchdown to open the scoring just two minutes into the game. After Edmondson’s touchdown reception, a diving interception by Panthers safety Jaylin Dawson set the hosts up at the KIPP 45-yard line. Running back Isaiah Fowlkes covered the distance in two plays.

The senior stiff-armed Greyhounds cornerback Montrel Clerk to get into the open field and cruised 34 yards to the end zone, expanding the Ridgeview lead to 21-0 2:45 before halftime.

End Edren Rhodes led the Panthers’ defensive effort, accounting for three of Ridgeview’s seven sacks. The junior was unblockable, pressuring Greyhounds quarterback Bishop Borger constantly, batting down a pass and intercepting him in the third quarter when he dropped into pass coverage. Smith compared Rhodes to Edmondson for his ability to defend the run, rush the passer or cover receivers.

“Edren is like a cheat code,” he said. “With his speed and his aggressiveness, he demands the tackle. He can do it all.”

Morene had an interception to go with his receiving touchdown and Chris Copeland had a fourth quarter fumble recovery for Ridgeview. The second half was played in a downpour, making it nearly impossible to throw the ball. Content to run the ball to run the clock out, Mesa attempted only one pass after the intermission after throwing 16 times in the first two quarters.

Fowlkes and Edmondson combined to gain 30 yards to set up a 22-yard field goal by Christian Hanson on Ridgeview’s first possession of the third quarter. The drive began at the KIPP 35-yard line when Borger, who also punted for KIPP, could not cleanly handle a rolling punt snap and was forced to fall on the ball.

The Greyhounds avoided a shutout with 18 seconds remaining when Borger escaped the pocket and scrambled to the goal line from eight yards out. Borger then threw to Taeron Mitchell for a two-point conversion.

Fowlkes, starting for the injured Christian Felder, gained 78 yards on 12 carries. Ridgeview, 0-1 in District 3-4A, will try to carry their momentum into a challenging district matchup at Panther Stadium against Lake City Columbia (6-1, 0-1) on Oct. 10.

“We are not so far away,” said Smith. “We can be successful. We are going to play them tough. We are going to play them hard.”

The Class 1A Greyhounds (0-7) entertain Providence (3-4) on Oct. 10.