Jags bounce back to take down Panthers, 52-12

For the second week in a row, Northridge faced and an area opponent and an opponent from the sky. In a game that experienced even more rain that the previous week, the Jaguars were able to overcome the elements and their opponent to claim a 52-12 win over the Brookwood Panthers.

The Panthers won the toss and elected to defer and the Jags brought the opening kick out to their own 45-yard line. After a penalty negated a first down run, Brylon Tubbs took off on a 30-yard run to get the Jags down to the Panthers’ 30. A couple plays later, Mayson Elam broke through the Panther defense for a 24-yard touchdown run. Caleb Scofield added the PAT, giving the Jags a 7-0 lead with 9:38 to go in the opening quarter.

The ensuing Brookwood possession, the Panthers pulled off a 29-yard run on their first play and it looked like the Panthers had something to show the Jags. The Jags held the Panthers for no gain on the ensuing first down play and Cruz Lee notched a 10-yard sack on second down. Brookwood then managed to pick up another first down before the Jags forced the Panthers to punt.

On the third play of the Jags’ second possession, Rowdy Christensen hit Parker Cline over the middle and Cline outran the Panther defense for a 65-yard catch-and-run touchdown. Scofield’s PAT increased the Northridge lead to 14-0 with 4:12 to go in the first quarter.

A fumble on the ensuing kick was recovered by the Jags. However, the Jags gave the ball back to the Panthers via a fumble on the very next play. The Jags’ defense stood strong and forced the Panthers to punt.

After a Christensen scramble took the ball to the Panther 27, Tubbs broke a 27-yard touchdown run up the middle. Scofield added the PAT for a 21-0 Northridge lead with 1:02 to go in the first quarter.

The Jags’ defense held again and a short punt gave Northridge the ball at the Panthers’ 42. On the next play, Elam scored his second touchdown of the night, this time on a pass from Christensen that Elam took to the outside to outrun the Panther defenders. Another Scofield PAT stretched the lead to 28-0 for the Jags, with 11:29 to go in the second quarter.

Another defensive stand by the Northridge defense resulted in another Panther punt to the Jag 48. A few plays later, Tubbs carried the ball into the end zone from 25 yards out. Scofield’s PAT increased the Jag lead to 35-0 with 9:09 to go in the second quarter.

Another Brookwood drive ended with a punt that rolled out of bounds at the Northridge 40. After Colin Kapilovic made a tremendous one-handed, leaping catch at the Panther 30, the Jags lost a fumble. The result of the turnover was a 70-yard touchdown pass for the Panthers. The Jags blocked the PAT kick, leaving Northridge with a 35-6 lead at the 5:43 mark of the second quarter.

Northridge’s Tubbs added his third touchdown of the night on the ensuing possession. Scofield tacked on another successful PAT gave the Jags a 42-6 lead with 3:18 remaining until halftime.

After the Northridge defense held Brookwood and forced the sixth Panther punt of the night, Magnus Greimel took off on a 65-yard run that go the Jags to the 7-yard line. Scofield added a 25-yard FG, giving the Jags a 45-6 lead with :07 remaining on the clock. The half would end with that score.

After the opening kick of the second half, Brookwood opened with a 76-yard run, down to the Jags’ 4-yard line. The Northridge defense dug in and stopped the Panthers at the 1-foot line on a fourth down attempt from the 2-yard line. The result of the ensuing drive was a 33-yard run by Elam for his third touchdown of the game. Tregre Benoit came in to tack on the PAT in an absolute downpour, giving the Jags a 52-6 lead with 5:12 to go in the third quarter.

A lot of fresh legs got in the game in the remainder of the game for the Jags. Brookwood was able to manage another touchdown run after a Jag fumble at the 9:04 mark of the final quarter of play. Northridge stopped the 2-point conversion attempt, resulting in what would be the eventual 52-12 final.

The Jags now sit at 3-1 (1-1 region) and will finally play a home game next week as they host the Central Falcons at The Ridge. The Falcons currently hold the same record, overall and region, as the Jags.