Northwood captures convincing non-league home victory over Woodbridge

Northwood’s offense was led Friday night by (from left) Caden Jacobs, Elliot Kwon and LJ Ulmer. (PHOTOS: Jake Rhodes, For OC Sports Zone).

By JAKE RHODES

For OC Sports Zone

The Northwood Marching Band and Color Guard members were flying around all over the field pregame and at halftime Friday night. They played some iconic songs like “Material Girl” by Madonna, the theme song to the children’s show “Bluey,” and the classic Jon Bon Jovi hit “Livin’ on a Prayer” to name a few. 

Their energy translated to the football team, especially LJ Ulmer, as he ran all over the field like he was “Livin’ on a Prayer.” The junior running back helped lead the Timberwolves to a resounding 42-6 non-league win over Woodbridge at Portola.

Ulmer set the tone early, showing his ability to be physical at the point of contact, partnered with true breakaway speed. On Northwood’s second play from scrimmage, Ulmer broke a few tackles, and then was off to the races for a 75-yard touchdown run.

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As some T’Wolves fans were just sitting down with their teriyaki bowls, one of the specials of the night at the Northwood snack shack this week, the home team was already up 7-0.

“I was seeing a lot of open space, a lot of mishaps on the defense that I took advantage of,” said Ulmer. “I have to thank my O-Line, they’re the ones who executed.”

The next drive for Northwood (3-1) was totally different, but ended with the same result.

Ulmer scored again. Not on an explosive play, but from two yards out. His second touchdown capped an 84 yard, 11-play drive.

On their next possession, Timberwolves senior quarterback Caden Jacobs decided he wanted to get in on the action, completing a 6-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Elliot Kwon. 

Three drives, three touchdowns for Northwood. The Timberwolves led 21-0 at halftime.

Woodbridge (0-4) showed its will to fight to start the second half.

After forcing Northwood to turn the ball over on downs, junior running back Keyasunn Stinson shimmied his way through the line of scrimmage and took off like he was shot out of a cannon, beating the defense down the field for a 56-yard touchdown run.

Woodbridge coach Connor McBride and his staff decided to make Stinson, who is usually a cornerback, the Warriors’ feature running back this week, and Stinson did not disappoint. Stinson carried the ball 13 times for 131 yards and one touchdown.

“This is the first time he’s been our premiere back,” said McBride. “We took him off defense, and we’ve been telling him he has the speed and a really bright future.”

With Woodbridge trying to grab the momentum of the game, Northwood made sure to answer. The Timberwolves went on another long drive, which was finished by a 3-yard touchdown run by none other than Ulmer.

Ulmer finished the game with 18 carries, 159 yards rushing, and three touchdowns.

Northwood Coach Stephen Barbee was happy to see his team put a full game together with solid offense, defense and special teams.

“For us it was more [about] we got to work on ourselves, play four quarters and look to execute in all three facets of the game,” said Barbee.

In the fourth quarter, Jacobs found his groove in the passing game. He connected with junior wide receiver Pearson Giglio for a 15-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Giglio finished the game with seven catches, 105 yards and one touchdown.

“Early on we were really struggling with the passing, I was not throwing the best balls,” said Jacobs. “But I trusted my O-line to give me enough time to throw. I saw Elliot and Pearson get separation, and I trusted my receivers.”

The best throws of the night were Jacobs’ final two. First, on third and 14, Jacobs squeezed a ball into tight coverage right on the boundary to Giglio for a 33-yard completion. 

Then, the very next play, Jacobs found Kwon again, this time dropping a 32-yard pass right in the bucket for a touchdown. Kwon was covered well, but Jacobs’ ball placement in the back of the endzone was elite. Jacobs finished the game passing 14 of 22 for 185 yards and three touchdown passes.

“I have 100 percent trust in my quarterback… We ran this play in practice so I knew we were going to execute on it,” said Kwon. “He (Jacobs) threw me a great ball. I looked up, grabbed it, touchdown.”