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Toros running game takes down Panthers

By Nick Blank nick@claytodayonline.com
Posted 9/21/22

WORLD GOLF VILLAGE— The Ridgeview Panthers are looking for a reaction after a 60-10 blowout to second-year program Tocoi Creek due to turnovers and penalties.

Tocoi Creek’s as-good-as-new …

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Toros running game takes down Panthers


Posted

WORLD GOLF VILLAGE— The Ridgeview Panthers are looking for a reaction after a 60-10 blowout to second-year program Tocoi Creek due to turnovers and penalties.

Tocoi Creek’s as-good-as-new facility hasn’t experienced the wear of a much-older school yet.

The Toros went 3-5 last season despite not having seniors. Other than a close loss to a 12-point to undefeated Bishop Kenny, the Toros’ bruising running game was a real threat in wins over Beachside High and Matanzas Palm Coast.

Behind running back Wendell Dean, the Toros scored three touchdowns on three of their first four possessions in a 27-0 first quarter. He scored from 3 yards out, a blistering 60-yard run, and on a 10-yard screen pass from quarterback Ryan Killmer.

The Panthers did get glimpses of hope by a fumble mid-first quarter.

The Panthers were aggressive through the air, but that resulted in cornerback Parker Webster grabbing two pick-sixes prior to the half, where the score was 40-7. The teams engaged in a running clock when the Toros secured a 35-plus-point lead five minutes into the third quarter.

Ridgeview Head Coach Bryan Arnette said Tocoi Creek has a well-known and experienced coaching staff. He added that the Panthers have to eliminate mistakes. The game was also beset by inconsistent sheets of rain.

“If one bad thing happened, it compounded into two or three bad things happening,” he said. “We’re still trying to change that.”

The Panthers, 1-3, return to Orange Park next week to face the Beachside Barracudas, another new St. Johns County school.

“We won last week (40-0 against Lake Weir). We have to focus on the little things,” Arnette said. “Showing up on time, not having excuses. All those little things turn into big things on Friday night. That starts with me.”

The Panthers’ lone touchdown came from junior running back Rayhn Hutchinson. Three Toros penalties moved the Panthers to Toro territory. Then Hutchinson found the endzone on a tough 8-yard scramble.

“The O-line fought really hard,” Hutchinson said. “We had freshmen from JV who fought hard on special teams, offense and defense. (Next week) is a homecoming game we definitely want to win.”