ORANGE PARK- Ridgeview started strong and showed life throughout the first half, but struggled to a 34-8 blowout loss to Menendez. However, one bright spot came in the form of Deshun Green, a speedy, athletic, rangy and athletic sophomore pass catcher that turned in the only touchdown of the game for the Panthers.

With just over a minute remaining, Green, who stands at 6-foot-2 and 153 pounds, connected on a deep post pattern from Travon Malone, a converted basketball star standing at 5-foot-9, 200 pounds. “I fielded a post (pattern) on the right side of the field, and I knew I had the (moves) to trick the free safeties into moving (out of position),” he said.

The sophomore didn’t just record multiple receptions, but also had a big night on special teams, fielding a punt for a 20-yard return to set up Ridgeview in excellent field position for their final drive of the first quarter at the 40-yard line.

During the following sequence (and throughout the night) Ridgeview fans were treated to several flashes of greatness from star running back Rahyn Hutchison. The senior, built like a tank at 210 pounds, can do a little bit of everything. He showcased those skills in front of hundreds of Panthers fans for the first time of the season under the Clay County “Friday Night Lights.” He seeks to go out with a bang.

Hutchison took direct snaps and caught a pass out of the backfield and when he wasn't doing that, the two-way star ran downhill with fury and force.

When the Panthers struggled through the air behind Malone (who is just getting his feet wet) and a patchwork offensive line that gave up multiple sacks and will need to see vast improvement if Ridgeview has any plans of increasing their one-win total from last season, it was Hutchison that kept the chains moving.

On several occasions, Hutchison appeared to be in the midst of a dark cloud of Falcons’ defenders, but the bell cow ball carrier had other ideas, the senior powering through his opposition. Hutchison allowed the Panthers to chip away at yardage, clock and field position, and even control much of the tempo in the first half.

Here's a raw rewind of one highlight sequence from Hutchison: after fielding a direct snap, the running back effortlessly weaved around a defender, then released his wild side, pile-driving his head and body into three other Falcons, advancing Ridgeview to the 10-yard line, placing the Panthers within easy striking distance of a score.

The Panthers appeared to show control at several points during the first half and only trailed 13-0 heading into intermission, but interceptions, key mistakes, and a defense that couldn’t seem to find an answer for Falcons’ star running back Marquis Sams, who even outshined Hutchison, put the nail in the coffin for Ridgeview.

The game was put out of reach early in the third quarter after Liam Molloy intercepted a Ridgeview pass with 10 minutes remaining in the period. Molloy wouldn’t just find the football, but return it all the way to the 25-yard line of the Panthers. Mason Lynch would punch it in for the score soon later, increasing the Eagles’ lead all the way to 20-0 after the extra point.

Ridgeview is still a work in progress, but Hutchison, Green, and the entire team still showed several signs of life on Friday. But the key will be putting all of the pieces together, which will only come with patience, practice, and a dedicated mindset to rebuilding the program. Studying film (over and over), increasing and streamlining communication and executing the gameplan are in each order. “I believe that I performed well, but we all could. I still have some things I need to work on. We just need to keep the energy up on the sidelines,” Green said.

Kimal Marshall supplemented the efforts of Hutchinson at running back, providing Ridgeview with the effective one-two punch they needed to move the ball down the field. The pair could provide a dangerous combination moving forward, and as the season progresses, the Panthers' running back room could even grow into a three-headed attack. Before Marshall carried the Panthers into the red zone on a physical ten-yard gain in the first half, it was freshman Jayden Cross who earned Ridgeview a first down, carrying the Panthers to the 30-yard line in Eagles’ territory.

There were also several positive takeaways on the defense. The defensive line and linebackers corps also improved but still looked strong at several moments throughout the game. In the secondary, senior cornerback Trumani Corbett also came away with a bone-crushing hit in the first half.

Panthers’ coaches preached major themes and positives they could build on during their postgame meeting on the field, but they won’t have much time to rest before heading into their next matchup, as a big-time bout with Clay High School is slated for Sept. 1.