Ridge Rushes All Over Mulberry: Ridge 21, Mulberry 0

Sat. September 08, 2012 at 4:00 a.m. | By Polk Preps Staff

By Mike Akins

Ledger Correspondent

MULBERRY | Ridge Community's strong rushing game and ability to capitalize on turnovers was key in it's 21-0 victory over Mulberry High School at the Phosphate Bowl Friday night.

After leading 7-0, Ridge recovered a fumble and proceeded to go on a nine play, 53 yard drive which culminated with an 11 yard touchdown from running back ShyKeem Pitts.

The Bolts rushed for 183 yards on 41 carries. Pitts accounted for 46 of those.

"I thought we played really well tonight," Bolt coach Richard Tate said.

"Our offense is a running game but I want to throw the ball a little bit more and we hope to do that as the season goes on."

The Bolts' special team unit set up the final touchdown late in the first half as they blocked a punt to set up the offense on the opposing 32-yard line.

Three plays later, quarterback Jordan Osinskie hit tight end George Rosell in the middle of the field to complete a 16 yard scoring toss.

The Bolts (2-0) defense was no joke either as they only allowed Mulberry 32 net yards of offense. Couple that with three turnovers and five sacks and Tate has a storm brewing in Haines City.

In fact, Mulberry never entered the red-zone and the deepest into Ridge territory it got was the 31 yard line.

"It is easier to play defense when you have eighty yards behind you." Tate added.

The only bright spot for Mulberry (0-2) was punter Tyrik Johnson who punted the ball eight times for a 40 yard average.

Ridge 7 14 0 0 — 21

Mulberry 0 0 0 0 — 0

First Quarter

R—E'Shawn Davis four run (Daniel Delgado) 4:05

Second Quarter

R—Shykeem Pitts 11 run (Delgado kick) 3:59

R—George Rosell 16 pass from Jourdan Osinskie :24

    Ridge    Mulb

First Downs 18 3

Rushes/Yards 41-183 22-36

Passing 8-16 2-7

Passing Yards 119 3

Total Yards 302 39

Fumbles/Lost 3/3 3/3

Punts/avg 2/39.0 8/40.0

Penalties/Yards 6/58 4/25

Individual Leaders

Rushing: R—Shykeem Pitts 9-46 M—Benjamin Sirmons 3-5

Passing: R—Jourdan Osinskie 8-16. M—Austin Strickland 1-5

Receiving: R—Keverick Hall 2-21. M—Rashad Parrish 1-5.