Turnovers take toll in 34-7 Jags’ loss to McAdory
The Jags traveled a few miles up I-20/59 on a wet Friday evening and returned home with their first loss of the season. The Jags didn’t help their cause by giving up three turnovers in the first half, all three of which resulted in scores for the Yellow Jackets, resulting in a 21-0 halftime deficit. Unfortunately, the loss puts the Jags at 0-1 in their region, but there’s plenty of time to get things figured out and get back to putting check marks in the win column.
McAdory won the toss and elected to defer to the second half. The Jags opening drive ended on a failed fourth down attempt, giving the ball to the Yellow Jackets at their own 41-yard line. The Jags defense held McAdory, forcing a punt that rolled out at the Jags’ 17. Unfortunately, the Jags lost a fumble at their own 13 that led to a touchdown by the Yellow Jackets at the 1:35 mark of the first quarter. The 2-point conversion gave McAdory an 8-0 lead.
The Jags’ ensuing possession saw the Yellow Jackets pick off a pass in the end zone, killing a nice drive by the Jags. The Northridge defense held McAdory in check on their resulting drive and forced a punt on 4th and 9. The punt wasn’t fielded cleanly, resulting in a fumble recovery by the Yellow Jackets. McAdory tuned that mistake into another score at the 2:35 mark of the second quarter. The Jags blocked the PAT kick attempt, but the Yellow Jackets led 14-0.
On the ensuing drive, McAdory added their third touchdown of the half on a scoop-and-score of another Jag fumble. The PAT handed the Yellow Jackets a 21-0 lead with 38 seconds remaining in the first half.
In the third, the Yellow Jackets got their fourth touchdown of the night on a 69-yard run after a failed fourth down conversion attempt by the Jags. The PAT stretched the McAdory lead to 28-0 with 3:29 to go in the third quarter.
The Jags finally got on the board at the 6:21 mark of the fourth quarter when Brylon Tubbs had a 20-plus yard run for a touchdown. Caleb Scofield tacked on the PAT, closing the Jags’ deficit to 28-7.
McAdory recovered the ensuing onside kick and embarked on a time consuming drive that culminated with a 2-yard touchdown run with 38 seconds to go in the game. The PAT failed, resulting in the 34-7 final, in favor of the McAdory Yellow Jackets.
Northridge (2-1) will make the short drive to Brookwood (0-3) next Friday, closing out their four road game stretch to open the 2024 season.