Northridge Tops Central 35-16 In Postponed Rivalry Game

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Northridge Jaguars put one in the end zone on the game's opening drive and never let up on the gas en route to a 35-16 road win over the crosstown rival Central Falcons Saturday morning.

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As Patch previously reported, the game was originally scheduled for a typical 7 p.m. kickoff Friday night, but was postponed by school officials following heightened tensions between the two schools after a viral video depicted a Northridge student make "disparaging remarks" about the rival school and its community.

With a smaller-than-usual crowd on both sides, the spirit of sportsmanship prevailed with the two teams battling without extracurricular issues.

The first points of the game would come on a short touchdown run by junior Kollyn Shelnutt, followed by an extra point from senior Aileen Charles — the only female varsity football player in the Tuscaloosa Patch coverage area.

Charles would finish an impressive 5-for-5 on the day to help the Jags to victory over their rival.

In a game oddly absent of the normal Friday night lights, Northridge won the contest primarily on the ground. This was thanks in part to the hard-nosed running of senior running back LiEric Street, who punched in the second score of the game for the Jags in the closing minutes of the first quarter by way of back-to-back hard runs on his way to the end zone.

The Jags' final score of the first half would come on a short goal line run by senior Christopher Jack to put Northridge up 21-0 going into the half.

It wouldn't take Northridge long to pad its lead in the second half, either, after forcing a three-and-out for the Falcons. Senior quarterback Whitt Winfield would then hit Christopher Jack on a pass for more than 40 yards and the score.

The Falcons refused to go quietly, though. On the ensuing drive after Northridge's score to open the second half, Central quarterback Omarion Mullins engineered a strong drive through the air, only for the Jaguar defense to hold on the goal line to keep the Falcons scoreless with a little more than five minutes to go in the third quarter.

Then, as the third quarter came to a close, Shelnutt would get in on the passing game for the Jags, hurling a missile from mid-field to hit senior Cory White for a touchdown to go up 35-0.

The Falcons first points of the game would come on a short touchdown scamper by Keiferlin Hill in the game's final minutes. But a bad snap on a Northridge punt attempt then set up the Falcons with a short field, leading to a touchdown pass from Mullins to Christian Bishop.

The final big play of the game would come on a diving interception by Taylor Halperin to put the game away for the Jags.

Northridge (2-0) will travel to Paul W. Bryant (0-2) next week, while Central (1-1) will also be on the road at Demopolis (0-2).

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