Ridge View’s Jalen Smith shows off throwing ability in victory

Jalen Smith always was considered good at running the ball. This past week, he showed he wasn’t too shabby throwing it.

The Ridge View quarterback threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns against Ninety Six as the Blazers put up a school-record 68 points in the win. Smith, who added 71 yards rushing and two scores on the ground, was named The State’s Midlands Player of the Week.

Dreher’s Anthony Salters, who returned two interceptions for touchdowns, was The State’s Defensive Player of the Week.

“Last week, we kept pushing him and tried to get his passing game going,” Ridge View coach Perry Parks said.

“It was a confidence booster. I knew I was capable of it. I just wasn’t showing it at all times,” Smith said. “Now, I know I can do it each and every time I step on the field.”

Smith said he was too tentative during the first two games and wasn’t allowing his instincts to take over. That changed last week after going through lengthy film study breaking down those habits.

“I stopped thinking about things and just started playing. I was second-guessing myself,” Smith said.

The senior’s in first season with Ridge View after playing at Westwood last season. He said several factors contributed to leaving, including a coaching change with the Redhawks, a chance to play with friends he grew up with and the opportunity to throw the ball more.

Smith threw for 1,603 yards and nine scores last year. Through three games, he’s second in the Midlands in passing with 640 yards to go with 249 yards on the ground.

“I was always considered a runner, but now I am able to showcase my whole ability,” Smith said.

Parks is glad to have him and said Smith brings a consistency to the position the Blazers didn’t have last year. Because of injuries, Ridge View played three different quarterbacks: Jaylen Nelson, D’Marco Zeigler and Tre’ High.

But having that go-to guy has helped this year for the Blazers, who are 3-0 and No. 5 in the latest Class 4A poll. Ridge View faces Fairfield Central on Friday in the first football game at Spirit Communications Park, the home of the Columbia Fireflies.

“We had great players last year, and could never get a guy that had a rhythm. Having someone you know what their limitations are, and we know what we are going to get each week, helps,” Parks said. “Jalen is a great leader and is a senior. He is experienced, playing varsity ball last year and been a great asset to our program.”

This story was originally published September 6, 2016 at 8:33 PM.