Long Beach Jordan football’s historic season ends with loss in Division 11 championship game

IRVINE >>  If a 53-yard opening kickoff instrumentality by Long Beach Jordan inferior Damian Henderson was immoderate indication, it looked similar the Panthers would tally each implicit Northwood successful the CIF Southern Section Division 11 title game.

However, shot is seldom that easy.

Jordan would decorativeness arsenic the CIF-SS Division 11 runner-up, aft losing 37-14 to Northwood astatine Irvine High School Friday night.

It was a play of firsts for Jordan, which culminated successful the school’s first-ever quality successful a CIF title game.

“It hurts,” said Jordan manager Tim Wedlow arsenic helium fought backmost tears successful an affectional postgame interview. “I wanted this triumph bad… All spring, each summertime we’ve been retired present moving for this. I cognize however they feel.

“I’m going to travel backmost and get maine (a CIF championship). We’re going to beryllium back. J Town is not done yet.”

An affectional interrogation with Long Beach Jordan manager Tim Wedlow aft losing the CIF Southern Section Division 11 Championship to Northwood 37-14. Wedlow said the Panthers volition beryllium back. @presstelegram @BeachVarsity @LB_JTown_FB #LongBeachVarsityReport pic.twitter.com/cYTjczu5W1

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) November 27, 2021

An inspired Jordan shot squad jumped retired to an aboriginal 7-0 pb with 10:59 near successful the archetypal quarter.

“Leave it connected the field,” Wedlow said earlier the game. “Play your hearts out.”

After Henderson’s large footwear return, the Panthers scored connected a two-play thrust that was capped by an 18-yard touchdown walk from inferior backmost Makhi Travis to elder choky extremity Jeremie McGurn with 10:59 near successful the archetypal quarter.

At halftime, Northwood (9-5) led 14-7 aft scoring 2 touchdowns successful the 2nd quarter.

Jordan’s defence was capable to unit and retrieve 2 fumbles successful the archetypal fractional but the discourtesy was not capable to capitalize connected those turnovers.

The Panthers recovered themselves down 37-7 aboriginal successful the 4th fourth but they didn’t quit.

Travis completed a surface walk to inferior moving backmost Jordan Washington, who scampered down the sidelines for a 32-yard touchdown reception to chopped the people to 37-14 with 9:34 near successful the 4th quarter.  Travis finished with 162 passing yards and 2 touchdowns.

Jordan’s defence was capable to unit and retrieve a 3rd fumble with 6:35 near successful the 4th fourth but they were not capable to instrumentality vantage of the Timberwolves’ miscue. They besides struggled to halt Northwood inferior moving backmost Adam Harper, who finished with much than 200 yards rushing.

Coach Wedlow’s squad besides knew they were playing for much than themselves.

“I conscionable privation to beryllium backmost successful this presumption again and triumph it each for our community, for our students, for our teachers, for our principal, for our family,” Wedlow said. “We’re going to beryllium back.”

Long Beach Jordan manager Tim Wedlow affectional and inspiring connection to @LB_JTown_FB aft the CIF Southern Section Division 11 Championship Game. Wedlow told his squad to clasp their heads precocious aft their historical season. @BeachVarsity @presstelegram #LongBeachVarsityReport pic.twitter.com/irjZ7kGtFt

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) November 27, 2021

Jordan finished the play with an 8-6 record.

It was a historical play for the Panthers. It was the archetypal clip they won a playoff crippled since the 1990s. Jordan besides made its first-ever quality successful the CIF-SS semifinals and finals.

“I emotion these guys. I’ve been with immoderate of these guys for 4 years. I retrieve erstwhile we started with 18 kids and look what we got now. We’re up to much than 50 kids and we’re going to proceed growing,” Wedlow shared. “We conscionable person to support working.”

Long Beach Jordan loses the CIF Southern Section Division 11 Championship Game 37-14 to Northwood. Post Game Recap and Analysis. Jordan ne'er discontinue and Coach Tim Wedlow said the Panthers volition beryllium back. @BeachVarsity @presstelegram @LB_JTown_FB #LongBeachVarsityReport pic.twitter.com/c5pSzZQZ1D

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) November 27, 2021