Party on Patriot Parkway: Hillcrest Knocks Off Northridge

It was a party on Patriot Parkway as the Hillcrest Patriots (4-2, 2-1) defeated the Northridge Jaguars (6-1, 3-1) 49-14, handing the Jaguars their first loss of the season. 

Hillcrest started off strong, holding Northridge to a 3-and-out; then, proceeded to charge down the field, for an eight play, 74-yard drive. Patriots QB Ethan Crawford went 1-for-2, gaining 49 yards and scoring a 3-yard rushing touchdown to put Hillcrest up early. 

Northridge felt the pressure of their opponent quick, with two major plays for the Patriots defense: a sack on Whitt Winfield for a loss of 13 yards, and a rushed incompletion, forcing another three-and-out, the second of the night. Patriots DL Tyler Coleman, completed the sack- one of two in his big half. 

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Hillcrest went on to score on a fast 75-yard drive. Crawford went 2-of-3, handing the ball off to RB Jamarian Johnson for the 6-yard touchdown. 

The struggles continued for Northridge- the Patriots defense forced two interceptions and a fumble on Winfield during their next two drives— Hillcrest capitalizing on both drives, with two touchdown handoffs to RB Jamarian Johnson, making the score, 28-0 Hillcrest. 

Not only was Northridge finally ready to fight back, but also ready to show off. The Jaguars used both their dual threat QB’s to drive down the field, and get their first score on a 79-yard drive. QB Whitt Winfield went 3-of-4 for 64 yards, and a TD on a 32-yard pass to WR Christopher Jack and QB Kollyn Shelnutt picked up 21 rushing yards. Northridge trails 28-7.

However, this Hillcrest offense would not go away. QB Ethan Crawford went 1-of-2, for 30 yards and a TD pass to WR J’quon Sturdivant, widening on their lead 35-7. 

“(Crawford) is such a sponge, that’s a beautiful part of him. He wants to get better, he’s eager, he played incredible tonight,” said Hillcrest head coach Jamie Mitchell on his QB’s performance.

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Northridge fought hard, forcing a three three and out against Hillcrest; then, drove down the field, and made trick “Hook and Ladder” play. Unfortunately, they would be stopped at the one as time expired for half. 

Ethan Crawford would add one more score to his night on a 5-yard pass to RB Jay Brown to extend the lead 42-14.

“Credit them man they made plays early on got us out of kinda what we do offensively and defensively and they kicked our tail so hats off to these kids these coaches at Hillcrest,” said Northside head coach Mike Vickery.

Northridge would add one more score, on a 93-yard drive, with QB Whitt Winfield throwing to backup QB Kollyn Shelnutt on a 43-yard dime in the end zone. That would be the Jaguars last score of the evening.

Hillcrest’s second string scored one more time, as WR Christopher Jack came in as QB, letting RB LiEric Street and Tyson Whiteside explode down the field, with a 62-yard drive.

“This was a huge game for us and it sets up an even bigger one for next week, so we have to get going,” said Mitchell.

Next week, Hillcrest hosts McAdory (6-1, 3-0), and Northridge travels to Hueytown (5-1, 3-0). Both games kick off at 7 p.m. CST.