Hillcrest Stomps Northridge 49-21
Friday night, the Hillcrest Patriots (5-1, 2-1) took down the cross-town rival Northridge Jaguars (6-1, 3-1) 49-21.
Led by sophomore quarterback Ethan Crawford, the Patriots gained 458 yards. Crawford himself went 19-for-22 with 343 passing yards and five touchdowns. Rushing wise, Crawford carried that ball four times for nine yards and another touchdown. Running back Marcus Wilkins also rushed for 59 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
Focusing more on edge passing, Crawford let loose and showed the power of his arm. Hillcrest head coach Sam Adams praised his young star.
“He’s a really good talent, and he can beat you in a lot of different ways … I’ve yet to see him try to make a throw and not get it there – from any distance," Adams said.
The Northridge Jaguars, led by sophomore quarterback Kollyn Shellnut, gained 340 total yards. Shellnut went 9-for-21 with 169 yards and two interceptions. While Shellnut didn’t record any passing touchdowns, he still managed to rush for 77 yards on 15 carries.
Junior running back LiEric Street rushed for 36 yards and a touchdown, and sophomore running back PJ Hall gained 50 yards and the Jags’ other two touchdowns.
Mike Vickery, the coach of the Jaguars, recognized that his team is talented, but clarified that Hillcrest just had bigger plays.
“Hillcrest had a great plan for us to stop us on the ground," Vickery said. "Our guys were in a position to make some plays, and we didn’t.”
Vickery also had compliments for Crawford.
“Ethan Crawford is a special talent," he said. "Hats off to them. They were ready to play, and they kicked our tails.”
With only two area games remaining for the Jaguars, Northridge will travel to Hueytown next week to take on the Golden Gophers.
Hillcrest will also be on the road next week. The Patriots will take on McAdory for a chance to get another important area win.