RIDGEFIELD – Football players often hold up four fingers to signify the start of the fourth quarter with the intent to give it everything they have in the game’s final stretch. Ridgefield did just that Friday night, scoring 21 of its 35 points to break open a close game in a 35-7 win over R.A. Long.
The Spudder victory, coupled with Woodland’s win over Mark Morris, sets up the biggest game of the year in the 2A Greater St. Helen’s League between Ridgefield and Woodland next week. For the second straight season, the matchup will decide the league champion as both teams will enter the game at Beaver Stadium in Woodland with 6-0 records.
However, there was some question on whether Ridgefield would keep its undefeated record intact as the Spudders led 14-7 going into the game’s final period. But Landon DeBeaumont opened the fourth quarter with a four-yard touchdown run on fourth and goal, and after a three-and-out by the Lumberjacks (3-5, 2-4), Jake Olsen scampered up the middle for a 32-yard touchdown. Vincent Dollens registered one of three interceptions and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown later in the quarter for the game’s final points.
The Spudders (8-0, 6-0) rolled up 236 yards on the ground led by the two-headed tailback tandem of Cly Stephens (101 yards rushing) and Olsen (100 yards rushing).
