Pelham hadn’t won a playoff game since 2006, having suffered eight straight first-round losses.

That drought is over.

Quarterback Clayton Maines ran for three touchdowns and threw for two more to lead the Panthers (6-5) to a 44-14 victory over Northridge in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs on Friday at Ned Bearden Stadium.

“We knew this was a big game for the school, and we just wanted to represent,” said Pelham’s Kamari Hollis, who caught two touchdown passes.

Northridge (7-4) went 69 yards in six plays to start the game, as Toryion Spears scored on a 1-yard run for a 7-0 lead. Pelham scored 28 points in the second quarter and ran away with the win.

The Jaguars had won two straight and seven of eight to get into the playoffs, but suffered a first-round loss for the third straight season. The 44 points is the most allowed by Northridge this season.

Did you know?: Pelham coach Mike Vickery spent six seasons as the head coach at Northridge, before moving to Pelham this season. The victory is the first playoff win of his head coaching career.

Stat sheet: Mains finished with 65 yards on eight carries and completed 4-of-8 passes for 80 yards. He scored on runs of 2, 8 and 4 yards. … Hollis caught two 34-yard TD passes. … Pelham’s Mykell Prince scored on a 5-yard run. … Northridge had four turnovers, a lost fumble and three interceptions, and the Jaguars also snapped a punt snap out of the end zone for a safety.

Coachspeak: “It was a good, physical football game. We started slow in the first part of the game, but we settled down and played three good quarters. … Our defense played really good tonight. They were able to move the line of scrimmage backwards.” – Vickery

He said it: “This was a good team win.” – Mains

What’s next?: Pelham advances to play St. Paul’s next week, while the season is over for Northridge.