North Laurel’s hopes of capturing a district championship took a serious hit on Friday after dropping a 27-13 decision to Southwestern.
The Jaguars (4-2) hung tough throughout the contest but costly turnovers, and a failure to convert on fourth down late in the game played key roles in their loss.
Southwestern established its ground game during it’s first possession. The Warriors put together a nine-play, 40-yard scoring drive that was capped off by Maison Hubbard’s 4-yard touchdown run to give Southwestern a 7-0 lead with 8:06 remaining in the first quarter.
After misfiring on its first two offensive possession, North Laurel tied the game at seven apiece with 2:17 remaining in the second quarter.
Treyshawn Holmes-Evans capped off a 10-play, 44-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown run.
North Laurel opened the second half with a 13-play, 28-yard drive that saw the Jaguars turn the ball over via a fumble at the Warriors’ 32-yard line.
Southwestern took advantage of the miscue, and regained a 14-7 edge behind an 11-play, 66-yard drive. Christian Walden scored one a one-yard run with 3:14 remaining in the third quarter.
The Jaguars didn’t fold, though.
North Laurel drove downfield as Austin Johnson scored on a three-yard run to cut the Jaguars’ deficit to 14-13. North Laurel failed to add the two-point conversion and trailed by one point with 10:03 remaining in regulation.
But just when it looked as if the Jaguars had all of the momentum, Southwestern’s Maddox Mink broke loose for a 68-yard touchdown run to increase the Warriors’ advantage to 20-13.
North Laurel couldn’t find the end zone in its next offensive series and Southwestern made them pay.
Christian Walden’s six-yard touchdown run with 4:01 left in the game gave his team a commanding, 27-13, lead.
