Jags fall to Yellow Jackets, 33-24

The Northridge Jaguars hosted the McAdory Yellow Jackets for the first area contest for both teams, with the Yellow Jackets recovering from an early deficit to outscore the Jaguars 33-10 after falling behind 14-0 with a little over five minutes remaining in the first quarter. After jumping out to the early lead, the Jag offense sputtered and the defense just couldn’t hold a stable of McAdory running backs who were hard to bring down.

Out of the gate, it looked good for the Jags. After Jaylin McCray returned the opening kickoff to the McAdory 15-yard line, Mayson Elam crossed the goal line with a Yellow Jacket on his back on the second play after the kickoff. Hicks Finison continued his streak of made PATs and gave Northridge a 7-0 lead, only 54 seconds into the contest.

After a stop by the Jaguar defense, the Jags had a big play called back on a holding penalty. Undaunted, Elam found Tate Espey over the middle and Espey did the rest, completing a 51-yard catch-and-run touchdown play. The Finison PAT stretched the Northridge lead to 14-0 with 5:30 to go in the first quarter.

The Yellow Jackets struck back quickly on their next possession, which culminated with a 2-yard touchdown run. A successful PAT cut the Northridge lead to 14-7 with 3:03 to go in the first quarter.

Northridge got back on the board with 4:46 to go in the first half, when Finison connected on a 28-yard field goal, increasing the Jags’ lead to 17-7.

However, McAdory returned the ensuing kickoff to the Jag 5-yard line, but were hit with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty that backed it up to the 20. Regardless, the Yellow Jackets pushed the ball to the goal line and cashed in with a short run. The Jags blocked the PAT, resulting in what would be the 17-13 Jaguar lead that carried into halftime.

After the Yellow Jackets received the opening second half kick, Grayson Cannon knocked down a fourth down conversion attempt pass to turn the ball over to the Jags. Things got a little sideways after a handful of penalties were issued against McAdory. After the dust settled, Damarcus Wilder cashed in with a 6-yard touchdown run. Finison’s PAT stretched the Northridge lead to 24-13 with 6:44 to go in the third quarter. Unfortunately, that would the last of the scoring on the evening for the Jags.

McAdory answered at the 4:03 mark, picking up a touchdown pass and unsuccessful 2-point conversion attempt. That cut the Jag lead to 24-19.

The Jags second turnover of the game gave the Yellow Jackets the ball on Northridge’s last possession of the third quarter. McAdory threatened early in the fourth quarter, but a fourth down conversion pass fell harmlessly in the end zone, giving the Jags possession deep in their own territory. The Yellow Jackets picked up a safety when Elam was called down in the end zone, just as he released a pass. That closed the Jags’ lead to three at 24-21 with 9:02 to go in the game.

After the free kick, McAdory took the lead on a 47-yard run with 8:14 to go. Anthony Hyche deflected the PAT, leaving the Yellow Jackets with a 27-24 lead.

With 3:36 remaining, the Jags had a pass hit the turf on a fourth down conversion attempt. McAdory’s ensuing possession resulted in a touchdown run that is still not completely clear, after it appeared the McAdory quarterback was down on a play, but another runner emerged from the pile and scampered 66 yards for the score. The PAT failed giving the Yellow Jackets a two-score, 33-24, lead with 2:18 remaining.

Northridge’s ensuing possession ended with an interception that was returned inside the Jags’ 10-yard line. The Yellow Jackets ran out the clock, resulting in the Jags’ first loss of the season.

The Jags (2-1, 0-1) will host Brookwood (1-2, 0-1) on Friday. The game will also serve as Northridge’s Homecoming game.