Justin Northwest offense erupts for 70 points, clinches berth with win over Brewer
Jake Strong is one of the top sophomore quarterbacks in the country, but it wasn’t his arm that was on display Thursday night against White Settlement Brewer.
It was his run game — and catch game.
Strong accounted for six touchdowns, including a 42-yard TD reception and Justin Northwest clinched a playoff berth by beating Brewer, 73-44, in a key District 3-5A Division 1 showdown at Northwest ISD Stadium.
“It was a fun night without a doubt,” Northwest coach Bill Poe said. “We were just clicking from the very get-go. We stayed in sync, we stayed in rhythm, just a phenomenal night offensively. We knew coming in that this was going to be a pivotal game for us.”
Strong finished the night with 167 yards rushing, 151 passing and 42 receiving to help push the Texans to a 6-2 overall record and 4-1 in district play. They play at Azle on Wednesday. Kickoff is set for noon.
“We knew Jake would have to be a ball carrier tonight,” Poe said. “Especially what Brewer does on defense. It was going to be crucial for us to establish the run game.”
Brewer (4-4, 3-2) pulled within 37-31 on a 1-yard TD run from Montrail Cushionberry late in the first half.
Then the Texans went into overdrive.
Northwest scored 29 unanswered points to extended its lead to 66-31 midway through the third quarter. Jason Laster picked off a Brewer pass attempt and Kyndel Sims scored on the ensuing play on a 10-yard run.
There was enough time after Brewer’s score in the second quarter for Northwest to add another touchdown. With 34 seconds left, Strong ran for 18 and passed for 39 to Weldon Sherrell to the 6.
Two plays later, the duo connected again for a 3-yard TD to make it 45-31 at intermission.
Strong added an 8-yard TD run and Kyle Cummings’ 2-yard scoring rush pushed Northwest to a 59-31 lead with 6:51 left in the third quarter. Cummings ran for 63 yards on 10 carries.
“Brewer is very good offensively and we knew we just needed a couple stops here and there, and create some turnovers which was huge,” Poe said. “Being able to respond offensively and keep putting the ball in the end zone, no doubt the outcome is what it is.”
Sims finished with 157 yards and three TDs on 18 attempts. The Texans had 412 yards on the ground on 46 carries and ended the night out-gaining Brewer 605-408 in total yardage.
It took four plays for Brewer to turn a 3-0 deficit into a 7-3 lead when Jaylen Spriggs hit Will Intfen on a 26-yard TD pass with 6:13 left in the opening quarter.
The Bears lost three fumbles — the first coming after the defensed forced a Northwest punt.
On the next play, Strong kept it for a 61-yard scoring run and 10-7 lead with 4:58 to go in the period.
Brewer’s last lead came on the ensuing kickoff when Isaiah Crosby returned it for an 82-yard touchdown that gave the Bears a 14-10 advantage.
The Texans took a 24-14 lead on Sims’ 28-yard TD run and Strong’s 22-yard pass to Jak Poe, the latter coming four plays after Brewer’s second fumble. After the Bears cut it to 24-17, Northwest went 72 yards on 11 plays, capped off by Sims’ 38-yard TD run on third-and-8 that made it 31-17 with 5:14 to play in the second.
“Every time they scored we had to answer back and keep the foot on the pedal,” Strong said. “It’s awesome to hear [about the playoffs]. Our guys deserve it, they’ve been putting in the work all year long day in and day out. I’m so happy we got that for the seniors, especially with the unique time period.”
Brewer answered with a 9-play, 75-yard drive as Spriggs rushed in a score from the 10 with 1:43 before the break.
Northwest scored on a trick play when Sherrell took a reverse hand-off and hit a wide-open Strong, who sprinted toward a 42-yard TD and 37-24 lead just 21 seconds later.
“We’ve been working on those plays all week, something to keep in your back pocket. It was the right time and right place,” Strong said. “Overall it was phenomenal team win.”
Strong added a 14-yard TD run with 9:56 left in the game to push Northwest over 70 points.
Spriggs led the Bears with 175 yards on 9 of 12 passing and one TD. He also rushed 12 times for 57 yards and a score. Tyrelle Davis had a team-high 105 yards rushing on 14 carries. Davis’ 1-yard run and BJ Williams’ 7-yard run capped off Brewer’s scoring in the second half.
This story was originally published November 19, 2020 at 10:31 PM.
