Skip to main content

weather icon
Full forecast | 
Fog/Mist, 73°
Weather sponsored by:
Clay Today logo

Ridgeview to build on small individual victories in 31-0 loss to Paxon

Posted 10/8/26

ORANGE PARK – Progress for the Ridgeview High football team wasn’t defined by the scoreboard Friday night. While the Panthers lost 31-0 in a non-district game to visiting Paxon, new head coach …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Don't have an ID?


Print subscribers

If you're a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one.

Non-subscribers

Click here to see your options for subscribing.

Single day pass

You also have the option of purchasing 24 hours of access, for $1.00. Click here to purchase a single day pass.

Ridgeview to build on small individual victories in 31-0 loss to Paxon


Posted
By Don Coble, don@claytodayonline.com

ORANGE PARK – Progress for the Ridgeview High football team wasn’t defined by the scoreboard Friday night. While the Panthers lost 31-0 in a non-district game to visiting Paxon, new head coach Jason Smith said the first challenge is establishing a new culture.

“We’re a young team, and we are trying to eliminate the mistakes,” Smith said. “We keep beating ourselves. We’re just changing the culture because they’re used to doing certain things.”

Ridgeview (1-5) won some small battles, like a goal line stand with 5:07 remaining and two long passes by Jordan Mesa to Amani Blount. Those types of small wins are what Smith plans to emphasize when the team reviewed the game film.
The Golden Eagles (5-2) were bigger and faster. Senior running back Kj Palmer ran from 168 yards and three touchdowns, including a 27-yarder with 9:00 remaining in the first quarter and a 70-yard run with 2:17 to go in the third.

“We missed some assignments, some alignments,” Smith said. “We need to work on our technique.

“I keep telling them to play with pride. It’s not about giving up. Usually, they would give up in the second half. They didn’t quit. They kept competing.”

The Panthers trailed 24-0 at halftime. The first two quarters were played in a heavy drizzle, but it didn't affect Ridgeview's effort — or the combined performance by junior high bands from Lakeside, Lake Asbury, Orange Park and Wilkinson.

The Panthers got a pep talk from Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive end Josh Hines-Allen during the break. After intermission, the only blemish on defense was Palmer’s 70-yard run. However, a high punt snap and 12-yard tackle for loss gave Paxon the ball at the Ridgeview 21. The Golden Eagles got inside the five for a first down, but the Panthers rallied to stop four consecutive runs up the middle.

The critical fourth-down stop was by senior defensive end Adrien Rivera, who is only one of six seniors on the roster, and junior linebacker Chris Copeland.
Knowing games are won between December and August in the weightroom and offseason drills, Smith said he wants to build on the small successful battles since once the season starts, all that’s left is keeping score.

“We’re going to get there,” he said. “We’re moving in the right direction.”
Ridgeview will host 6-0 St. Augustine in a Class 4A-4 game on Friday, Oct. 9, before finishing the season with trips to Clay, Orange Park and Englewood.



Other items that may interest you

Ridgeview to build on small individual victories in …

Botched punt, strip-sack put Blue Devils in early …

SJCDS Berrang's first college goal a gamewinner

Golden Eagles run over Orange Park

3513 U.S. Hwy. 17
Fleming Island, FL 32003
(904) 264-3200

Useful links

get social

Copyright © 2026, Clay Today.
Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions