Bruinton’s Four Touchdowns Lead Northridge Past Paul W. Bryant

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— Northridge overpowered Paul W. Bryant 35-13 on Friday night behind four touchdowns from sophomore quarterback Max Bruinton and a defense that kept the Stampede off the scoreboard for most of the final three quarters.

Paul W. Bryant struck first, jumping out to a 7-0 lead when sophomore quarterback Brayden Cheatum connected with junior wide receiver Ja’shaad Williams for a 50-yard touchdown with eight minutes left in the opening quarter.

Northridge answered immediately, marching down the field for over four minutes and capping the drive with a five-yard screen pass from Bruinton to junior wide receiver Tate Espey, who broke a tackle for the game-tying touchdown. After the PAT, the score was tied at 7-7 with 3:51 left in the first quarter.

A minute and a half into the second quarter, Northridge went for it on fourth-and-3, and Bruinton found junior receiver Dre Young for a 45-yard touchdown, giving the Jaguars their first lead. After the PAT, Northridge led 14-7 with 10:33 remaining in the first half.

Both teams exchanged turnovers on the following drives. Cheatum threw an interception to Northridge junior defensive back Julian Crenshaw, and on the next possession, Stampede junior defensive back Abram Adams intercepted Bruinton, giving Bryant the ball at its own 30-yard line with 6:30 left in the first half.

Paul W. Bryant advanced to Northridge’s 20-yard line, but on fourth-and-1, the running back slipped before reaching the first-down marker, resulting in a turnover on downs and ending the Stampede’s chance to tie the game before halftime. The score remained 14-7 at the break.

Northridge struck first in the second half, as Bruinton connected with Espey for a 30-yard touchdown, the duo's second of the night, giving the Jaguars a 21-7 lead with 4:11 remaining in the third quarter.

Paul W. Bryant’s next drive ended in a turnover on downs, setting Northridge up at the Stampede’s 45-yard line. The Jaguars drove into the red zone after Espey hauled in a 25-yard pass from Bruinton, absorbing a big hit from two defenders but holding on to the ball.

A few plays later, senior wide receiver Demeriyan Cotton scored on a five-yard direct snap, extending Northridge's lead to 28-7 with 11:00 left in regulation.

Northridge notched its second takeaway when junior defensive back Jaden Wright intercepted Cheatum in the end zone and returned it 50 yards, giving the Jaguars possession at midfield.

Northridge capitalized on the turnover with another scoring drive, capped by a one-yard quarterback sneak from Bruinton, his fourth touchdown of the night, for a 35-7 lead with 4:13 left.

Paul W. Bryant scored for the first time since the opening quarter when Cheatum found junior receiver Cedrick Bankhead for a two-yard touchdown. After a missed PAT, the Stampede trailed 35-13 with 1:28 remaining.

Northridge ran out the clock to improve to 3-3 overall and 2-2 in region play, while Paul W. Bryant dropped to 2-4 and 1-3.

The Jaguars will be back in action next Friday, Oct. 9, when they host Bessemer City.

Paul W. Bryant will look to bounce back next Friday when they host Brookwood for homecoming.

Micah Nichols covers Alabama baseball, football, and basketball for Tide 100.9. Follow @MicahNichols0 on X for in-game updates, highlights, and more Crimson Tide content.