Eagles hang on to beat Northridge

August 20, 2022

4:54 AM

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain running back Trey Vassell (5) runs the ball during the first half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain defensive lineman Davis Coggin (52) helps sack Northridge quarterback Rowdy Christensen (14) during the second half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain head coach Tyler Crane watches during the second half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain defensive back Bobby Laury (24) and Oak Mountain defensive back Robert Yoder (44) help break up a pass intended for Northridge wide receiver Nicholas Sherman (4) during the second half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain offensive lineman Hudson Youngblood (79) and Oak Mountain defensive back Devan Moss (8) greet fans at the end of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain running back Ian Laughlin (7) runs to the sideline during the first half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain offensive lineman Cordell Williams (74) and Oak Mountain offensive lineman Luke Oswalt (77) ready for the next play during the first half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Fans watch the halftime show during a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain head coach Tyler Crane and Northridge head coach Ryan Lolley shake hands at the end of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

A play starts in the second half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain defensive back Bobby Laury (24) runs the ball during the first half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain offensive lineman Sawyer Hutto (67), Oak Mountain running back Trey Vassell (5) and Northridge linebacker Grayson Malone (3) watch a pass during the first half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain running back Trey Vassell (5) is hoisted after a play in the first half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain linebacker Cole Kelly (33) scrambles for a loose ball during the first half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain linebacker Cole Kelly (33) comes away with a loose ball during the first half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain’s marching band performs during the first half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain defensive back Devan Moss (8) runs the ball during the second half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain kicks during the second half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain linebacker Jacob Porco (3) plays during the first half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Northridge linebacker Grayson Malone (3) defends Oak Mountain running back Trey Vassell (5) during the second half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain quarterback Will O'Dell (18) throws during the second half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain offensive lineman Sawyer Hutto (67) plays during the first half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain fans cheer in the first half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain defensive back Robert Yoder (44) and Northridge running back Tyson Whiteside (5) run during a kickoff during the second half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain fans cheer during the second half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Oak Mountain tight end Jackson Blackwell (85) runs the ball during the first half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

Northridge’s marching band performs during the first half of a football game between Oak Mountain and Northridge at Heardmont Park on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The Eagles beat the Jaguars, 23-14. Photo by Laura Chramer

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

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Photo by Laura Chramer.

20220819 Oak Mountain vs. Northridge football

BIRMINGHAM -- Oak Mountain High School jumped out to a three-touchdown lead on visiting Northridge, but the Eagles made enough plays in all three phases to narrowly hold on for a 23-14 win at Heardmont Park.

Trey Vassell ran for 108 yards on 22 carries, scoring first-half touchdowns from 1 and 4 yards out. Vassell’s touchdown runs came on short fields following special teams miscues by the Jaguars, though one was a blocked punt by the Eagles’ Cole Kelly, and Oak Mountain (1-0) held Northridge (0-1) out of the end zone on all but two drives.

Oak Mountain’s only two points in the second half came late in the fourth quarter on a high punt snap out of the end zone for a safety.

"I tell our kids all the time that special teams is a huge, important part of the game,” Oak Mountain head coach Tyler Crane said. "We work it a lot. We felt it was something we could take advantage of and we did tonight.”

Oak Mountain played a jamboree last week against Albertville, and Crane noted that Northridge did not. On the Jaguars’ first possession, he sent a punt rush and it resulted in Kelly’s block and an Eagles recovery at the 13-yard line.

“A lot of times, special teams can be overlooked,” Crane said. "It’s always going to be kind of sketchy sometimes."

Oak Mountain’s other touchdown came on a 27-yard run by Davion Foster. The Eagles did get 138 yards on the ground. The pass game is still a work in progress, but sophomore Will O’Dell completed three of his eight attempts for 64 yards.

It’s a different look for the Eagles as four-year starting quarterback Evan Smith graduated last year and has moved on to Northwestern.

"It’s definitely different not having the long Evan runs every game, but we’re just trying to get through it right now and do the best we can,” Vassell said. "We run the ball pretty well. We’re trying to get the passing game going too, but we’re working on that.”

Vassell has also been a big part of the Oak Mountain offense for the last three years, and has changed his body to become more elusive.

"He’s one of the strongest football players on our team,” Crane said. "It’s a beautiful thing when you see him get low, drive his legs, move the pile and bust out of it.”

Crane said the Eagles had to deal with injuries during the game. UAB commit Emmanuel Waller went out in the first half. Crane credited freshman Joey Lewis for stepping on and playing 75 percent of the game at nose tackle.

"Could not be more proud of that young man,” Crane said. "He gave everything he had. For him to go in there and do what he did, that’s amazing.”

Northridge got touchdowns on a 10-yard run by Toryion Spears and a 77-yard screen pass from Rowdy Christensen to junior T.J. Banks, who has several high-level offers including Alabama. Northridge also had an Alabama commit on the offensive line in tackle Wilkin Formby, so it was a quality opponent that the Eagles were able to beat.

Oak Mountain hosts Pelham next week.

Click here to view and purchase photos from the game.