Story and Photo by Adolphus Ames –
The Northampton Yellow Jackets hosted the first of two home games this week on Monday, Oct. 11. They played the West Point Pointers, winning 26-20.
The first quarter was scoreless due to strong defensive play by both teams. Midway through the second quarter, the Pointers scored a rushing touchdown and made a successful 2-point conversion attempt to take an early 8-0 lead.
The Yellow Jackets came out with a strong rushing attack in the second half. Their first drive culminated with an 8-yard rushing touchdown by Dustin Splawn and a successful 2-point conversion attempt that tied the game. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Yellow Jackets were on top 20-14. West Point managed to punch the ball into the end zone with less than two minutes left in the game, but a bad snap on their extra point attempt left the game tied at 20.
On the following drive, Yellow Jackets running back Alex Courtney broke through a hole in West Point’s defensive line for a long rushing carry that placed them in the red zone. With only 13 seconds left in the game, Splawn punched it into the end zone to give the Yellow Jackets a 6-point victory.
Courtney had 13 carries for 183 rushing yards, and one touchdown. Liam Flynn had five carries for 49 rushing yards. Jaylen Stevens had three carries for 34 rushing yards and one touchdown. Splawn had 15 carries for 103 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Courtney had five tackles and eight tackle assists. Timothy Wilson had three tackles and five tackle assists. Stevens had three tackles and three tackle assists. Flynn had two tackles and one tackle assist. Tanner Feltes had one tackle and six tackle assists. Gavin Brittingham had one tackle and two tackle assists. Romano Onley had one tackle. Nykez Upshur, Devin Thornton, Blake Bonniwell, and Jaivon Burton each had multiple tackle assists.
The Yellow Jackets look to gain another home victory Friday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. They will host an undefeated Portsmouth Christian team.
