Northwest rallies from 21-point deficit to beat Jones 38-35 in season opener
ELLISVILLE — Jones College led by 21 points at halftime but saw its advantage evaporate in the second half. No. 3 Northwest won its season opener Saturday night with a 38-35 victory, capped by a game-winning 28-yard field goal from Will Uselton as time expired, according to sources.
The Bobcats appeared in control early, riding a strong rushing performance from CJ Rush. Rush scored three first-half touchdowns, including runs of 2, 10, and 28 yards, helping Jones build a 28-7 lead. Jones opened the scoring with a 63-yard drive, culminating in Rush’s 2-yard touchdown run with about nine minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Jones extended its lead early in the second quarter when Rush finished an 80-yard, 14-play drive with a 10-yard touchdown. The Bobcats then scored again through Jevarion Glover’s 8-yard pass to Jet Henderson, making it 28-7. Northwest responded with a 2-yard touchdown run by Macaleb Taylor with 7:38 left in the half. Rush’s third touchdown of the half, a 28-yard run, pushed Jones’ lead to 28-7 with six minutes remaining before halftime.
Coming out of halftime, Northwest began chipping away at the deficit. Noah Gillon threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to TyAnthony Elmore with 7:14 remaining in the third quarter. Jones answered with a 3-yard run by Rush for his fourth score, making it 35-14. The Rangers continued their rally with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Gillon to Dagarrious Clifton, cutting the deficit to 35-21 entering the fourth quarter.
The Rangers then scored twice early in the final period. Taylor’s second touchdown, a 2-yard run, brought Northwest within seven points at 35-28 with 9:15 remaining. The game-changing play occurred with 5:42 left when Clydarrien Peters returned a Jones punt 55 yards for a touchdown. Uselton’s extra point tied the game at 35, completing the Rangers’ comeback from a 21-point deficit.
Northwest’s Taylor scored two rushing touchdowns, while Gillon connected with Elmore and Clifton for two touchdown passes. Jones quarterback Glover finished 16-for-28 for 209 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions. Tyree Barnett had nine catches for 169 yards and contributed a 57-yard kick return and a 61-yard punt return. Defensive players Kelton McLaurin and Malachi Henderson led with 11 and nine tackles, respectively.
Jones will travel to Coahoma next Thursday, Sept. 3, for its next game, according to team officials.
Source: Original Article
