Jags secure final region win over Tigers, 17-7
The Northridge Jaguars wrapped up Class 6A Region 4 play on Friday with a win over the Bessemer City Tigers. The win gave the Jags a 4-2 region record and put them in third place, behind Hueytown and McAdory (the Jags’ two region losses). Even after a scoreless first quarter, once the Jags got on the board with a Caleb Scofield field goal, it felt like the Jags were in control of the game. A score from the Tigers, with a little over half of the fourth quarter expired, did pull Bessemer within 10 points, but Northridge’s C.J. Stinson’s interception sealed the win for the Jags, 17-7.
As mentioned previously, the first quarter scoreboard was mostly silent until the horn sounded, signaling the end of the quarter. Scofield got the Jags on the board with a 20-yard field goal after the Jags’ third possession of the night stalled inside the redzone. The Jags took the 3-0 lead with 9:19 on the second quarter clock.
The Northridge defense held the Tigers on their ensuing possession. Rowdy Christensen connected with Colin Kapilovic for a touchdown with 2:11 to go in the first half. Scofield’s PAT increased the Jags’ lead to 10-0.
On the following Tiger possession, Miller Arendale picked off a pass at the Bessemer 42-yard line. Unfortunately, the Jags were unable to capitalize, but held a 10-0 halftime lead.
After receiving the opening kickoff of the night, the Jags kicked to the Tigers to open the second half. The Northridge defense held the Tigers in check and forced a punt. Jakobi Wright reached over a Bessemer blocker to block the kick and C.J. Stinson scooped the ball and raced to the end zone for a Jag touchdown. The PAT from Scofield gave Northridge a 17-0 lead with 10:40 to go in the third quarter.
Bessemer eventually got on the board with a 50+ yard touchdown pass with 6:23 to go in the fourth quarter. The PAT closed the Jag lead to 17-7.
After the ensuing Northridge drive stalled and fourth down conversion pass slipped through the fingers of a Jag receiver, Stinson picked off his second pass of the night to effectively seal the win for the Jags. Northridge ran out the clock a few plays later and secured the win, 17-7.
The victory puts the Jags at 6-3 for the season and, for playoff implications, the third spot in the region. The two teams ahead of the Jags, Hueytown and McAdory, are the losses in region play for Northridge this season. As such, it looks like the Jags will remain in third place, regardless of any upcoming region games. Next on the schedule is an open week (10/25), then the final home game of the regular season with Minor on November 1.