Arline sparks Rams in opener

By STEVE LEE
Published August 26, 2006

TRINITY - Byronell Arline picked up right where he left off last season when he led the county in rushing.

Ridgewood's junior tailback gained 248 yards on 23 carries and ran for three touchdowns in Friday's 39-17 win over Mitchell.

For the second straight game, including last week's preseason win (48-0 over Lecanto), the Rams displayed a high-powered offense. More important to coach Chris Taylor is Ridgewood began the season with a victory and wasted little time matching last season's win total.

"We finally won one we weren't supposed to win," Taylor said. "It's one game, but we worked very hard to move the football and spread it around."

Ridgewood's T.J. Haab completed 10-of-14 for 119 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Will Nichols. Mitchell's Tate Humphrey rushed for a team-high 112 yards and a touchdown, and passed for 142 yards. He also was intercepted once and lost a fumble.

Arline's 1-yard scoring run capped Ridgewood's opening possession, but Mitchell rallied to take a 14-6 lead on a 9-yard touchdown run by E.J. Booze and Humphrey's 16-yard scamper. Ridgewood retook the lead on two Haab scoring passes, 15 yards to Addidas Tolliver and 18 to Nichols. Mitchell's last points came on a Kevin Trapp 28-yard field goal before the Rams scored 21 in the second half.

[Last modified August 26, 2006, 08:18:35]