Saturday, March 7, 2026

Northridge High School Jaguars Sports (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)

FootballSports

Gophers hold Jags at bay, take 42-32 win

Michael Clements

Even though they never held a lead, every time it seemed that the Northridge Jaguars might make a run, the Hueytown Gophers had an answer. After the Gophers secured a 21-3 lead, the Jags could get within 10 points, but never any closer. Unfortunately, that ended with a 42-32 loss for the Northridge.

The Jags won the opening coin toss and elected to receive. However, they would go three-and-out on their first possession. Hueytown’s ensuing possession resulted in a 24-yard touchdown run and PAT that gave the Gophers a 7-0 lead with 7:06 remaining in the first quarter.

10-3-2025 — Hueytown, Ala. — Northridge’s Hicks Finison (46) kicks a 35-yard FG out of the hold of Kaden Trevathan (5) during the Jaguars’ game against Hueytown.

After Hueytown picked off a Northridge pass, the Jags defense stopped the Gophers on a fourth down conversion attempt. After the Jags’ second drive stalled, they were close enough for Hicks Finison to get them on the board with a 35-yard field goal with 16 seconds remaining in the opening quarter.

Unfortunately, Hueytown returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown as time expired in the quarter. The following PAT gave the Gophers a 14-3 lead to start the second quarter.

After a Northridge punt was blocked, Hueytown scored two plays later. The PAT gave the Gophers a 21-3 lead with 6:25 to go in the second quarter.

10-3-2025 — Hueytown, Ala. — Northridge’s Demeriyan Cotton hauls in a touchdown pass over a Gopher defender during the Jaguars’ game against Hueytown.

After a Northridge punt, the Jag defense got a stop and blocked the Gophers’ punt. Mayson Elam connected with Demeryian Cotton for a 15-yard touchdown and Tate Epsey tacked on a 2-point conversion run. The Jags were within 10 points, 21-11, with 1:12 to go in the second quarter and that’s how the half would end.

At the 9:26 mark of the third quarter, the Gophers jumped their lead up to 17 on a 4-yard run and PAT.

10-3-2025 — Hueytown, Ala. — Northridge’s Ford Cole secures a fumble as Kaiden Rice holds off a Gopher during the Jaguars’ game against Hueytown.

The ensuing Northridge possession ended when Hueytown picked off a Jaguar pass at their own 5-yard line. However, a few plays later, Ford Cole pounced on a Gopher fumble and returned possession to the Jaguars. The turnover resulted in a Damarcus Wilder touchdown run. Finison tacked on the PAT and the Jags were back within 10, at 28-18 with 40 seconds to go in the third quarter.

With a little over a minute gone in the fourth quarter, the Gophers scored on a 9-yard run and added the PAT for a 35-18 lead with 10:43 to go in the game.

Northridge responded with Wilders’ second touchdown of the night and another Finison PAT. That brought the Jags back within 10 points again, at 35-25 with 6:59 to go.

10-3-2025 — Hueytown, Ala. — Northridge’s Damarcus Wilder (10) crosses the goal line as Tyler Ivory (71) starts to celebrate during the Jaguars’ game against Hueytown.

The Gophers answered yet again, adding their last touchdown of the night by scooping up an onside kick and taking it to the end zone. The PAT gave Hueytown a 42-25 lead with 6:52 to go in the game.

The Jags got on the board with one last score when Cotton hauled in a pass from Elam and turned it into a 51-yard scoring catch-and-run. Finison’s last PAT resulted in the final score of the evening, 42-32, with 2:22 to go.

10-3-2025 — Hueytown, Ala. — Northridge’s Amani Knox (4) and Cullen Pilsch (16) bring down a Gopher ball carrier during the Jaguars’ game against Hueytown.

The Jaguars (3-4, 1-3) will be back at home to hose the Paul W. Bryant Stampede next Friday. The game will serve as Senior Night for Northridge Football, Cheer and Band members.