On Thursday, September 14th, 2023 I went to The Ridge Point Panthers (2-2) vs The Hightower Hurricanes (3-1) game. This was an anticipated game considering the talent on both teams that I have mentioned before in my preview on the game. In said preview, I predicted that “Hightower has an overall stronger team and will continue their win streak to beat out Ridge Point. The final score could be 45-31.” Let’s see how accurate my prediction was.
Hightower receives the 1st kickoff. They can drive the ball down the field, and in the first 2 minutes, they score on a wildcat play with #16 Kamal Henry as quarterback. Ridge Point received the ball and with no time to spare, quarterback #12 Austin Carlisle effortlessly distributed the ball down the field to his receivers, and by the 6-minute mark, Austin threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver #4 Dane Jones. In the next five minutes, Ridge Point #20 Wesley Drummer rushed in for a 24-yard touchdown. Hightower received the kickoff. Oklahoma commit #4 Zion Kearney returned it for a 100-yard touchdown. Then it was a seesaw game from there, and by halftime, it was 28-21, with Ridge Point leading and receiving the kickoff in the 3rd quarter.
At the start of the 3rd quarter, Ridge Point received the ball but was not able to score and punted it off to Hightower. Almost four minutes into the quarter #6 Jeremy Payne rushed in for the touchdown and a two-point conversion the score is now 29-28. Ridge Point answered back with a 61-yard touchdown pass to Baylor commit wide receiver #3 Mason Dossett, and Arkansas commit wide receiver #8 Ashton Bethel-Roman scored a two-point conversion. The score is now 36-29. Ridge Point and Hightower both score a single touchdown in the 4th quarter with 3 minutes left in the game Ridge Point punts the ball to Hightower for one final drive. Hightower moves the ball down the field they’re on the 50-yard line with 25 seconds left in the game 4th down and Hightower has 1 timeout left. Still anyone’s game, but Hightower has a failed snap and quarterback #1 Joseph Stewart quickly picks up the ball and plants his feet trying to connect with wide receiver Zion Kearney for a 1st down, but Ridge Point deflects the pass ending the game with a final score of 43-36 ending Hightower’s win streak.
Although my prediction was inaccurate, this game was amazing many twists and turns throughout the game and numerous standouts on both teams. Ridge Point’s MVP has to be quarterback #12 Austin Carlisle he played almost perfectly being able to make dynamic passes, running the ball with proficiency, always getting a 1st down, and having the finesse and game knowledge to trip up any defender. Also, wide receiver #4 Dane Jones was always in a great spot to receive passes, fast off a dime, and the size and height to get the job done he finished the game with three touchdowns. Hightower’s MVP is TCU commit running back #6 Jeremy Payne he is a power back with speed to boot, instantly breaking through tackles and running through holes. Jeremy is highly ranked for a reason and was Hightower’s lifeline. Another of Hightower’s lifelines was #4 Zion Kearney he was a speed demon if he hadn’t gone down with a cramp for most of the game I think the game could have gone differently.
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