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The Northwood football team, led by strong performances by wide receivers Timbuk Atakora and Keith Hudson, won its first game of the season Friday night at Poolesville, 28-19. Both teams struggled to start the season, entering the game with matching 0-3 records. And both sides put together their best performances of the season, despite a steady rainfall during most of the game.

But Atakora and Hudson made the difference for Northwood (1-3). Time and again, the Gladiators would quickly flip the ball out to them and let them rack up the yards after the catch.

When the Poolesville defenders crept up toward the line, Hudson and Atakora would run by them down the sideline. Hudson led the dynamic duo, catching 10 passes for 160 yards and one touchdown. Atakora caught seven passes for 108 yards and scored three touchdowns.

The first half saw Atakora score his first two touchdowns from 18 and 19 yards out. Trailing 14-0 at the half, the Falcons (0-4) caught their first break when they recovered a fumble on the second-half kickoff at the 6-yard line. One play later, Keith Budd cut the lead to 14-7 on a 6-yard run.

Northwood appeared to be pulling away in the fourth quarter after Hudson caught a 32-yard touchdown pass and Atakora hauled in a 27-yard score. But Poolesville fought back, as quarterback Cody Kenly threw a near interception that wide receiver Ben Hessles caught in traffic, then cut across the entire field to score a 38-yard touchdown, making it 28-13.

On Northwood's next possession, Poolesville blocked the punt and recovered on the 1-yard line. Kevin Dickerson punched it in for Poolesville, to close it to 28-19. The rally fell short after the subsequent onside kick bounced out of bounds with only 1 minute, 17 seconds left to play.

Next week, Northwood plays Wicomico while Poolesville plays Clarksburg.