10-2-87 SAINT JAMES 23, @ Saint Jude 15

SCORING SUMMARY

JUD (1)   6:34   Belser 24 run                                 (Jones kick)      0 - 7
STJ   (2)   0:51   Kitchens 6 run                         (Kitchens run)      8 - 7
STJ   (3)   7:49   Kitchens 4 run             (Smith pass from Allen)    16 - 7
JUD (4) 11:42   Belser 2 run            (Jones pass from Rodrick)   16 - 15
STJ   (4)   1:42   Kitchens 1 run                           (Finklea kick)   23 - 15

October 2, 1987 Carver Junior High Field. Game conditions: n/y/a

Note: This game is listed in several publications with an incorrect final score, 22 - 15, not including the final Finklea extra point for whatever reason.
The score posted here of 23 - 15 is confirmed correct.

Saint James benefited from three potential Saint Jude touchdowns called back by penalties, one on the first scrimmage play of the game, and overcame the dynamic running of Anthony Belser with some slick offensive moves of their own, most notably three Mark Kitchens touchdowns, as the Trojans held off the Pirates 23 - 15.

A clipping penalty on Saint Jude's first running play negated a potential touchdown on a beautifully designed eighty yard reverse by Myron Perry. However, the drive moved along and Anthony Belser would eventually score a touchdown from 24 yards out. Kevin Jones' kick gave the Pirates a 7 - 0 lead midway through the first quarter.

The teams would battle back and forth without much success until late in the half. Two more Pirate touchdowns were called back by holding and clipping penalties respectively. Late in the first half, a Pirate fumble gave the Trojans the ball at the Saint Jude 31. Four plays later, Mark Kitchens took the ball in from six yards for a Trojan touchdown. Yardage from a defensive penalty on the touchdown moved the ball near the one yard line, and the Trojans opted to go for two. Kitchens again converted, giving Saint James a one point lead at halftime.

Saint James took advantage of a nice Kitchens kickoff return to start the second half, and scored eight plays later to conclude a 60 yard drive. Kitchens ran for 31 yards to the Pirate 15, and after a Ben Freeman run of five, consecutive Kitchens runs for 5, 1, and 4 yards had the ball in the endzone again. The Trojans lined up in a wide formation prior to kicking the extra point, but confusion in the Pirate defensive alignment triggered a direct snap to the holder, Pat Allen, who passed to Tom Smith in the endzone for a second two point conversion, and a two possession lead.

Anthony Belser, who rushed for nearly 200 yards in the game, broke loose on a 53 yard scamper for the Pirates, advancing the ball to the Trojan 10 on the next drive. However, the defense stiffened as Saint James held Saint Jude for no gain on fourth down at the two yard line. A penalty cost the Trojans a yard, but from the one Kitchens responded with a 32 yard carry of his own to give the Trojans ample breathing room. However, after failing to convert on the ensuing third down, the Trojan punter dropped the long snap and simply fell on the football with Pirate defenders rushing in, giving Saint Jude great field position at the Trojan 26. Five plays later, on the third play of the fourth quarter, Belser carried in from the two for the Pirates' second touchdown. Saint Jude then tried some trickery of their own on their extra point attempt, as holder William Rodrick passed to a wide open Douglas Jones in the endzone for a two point conversion, and the gap was quickly reduced to a point, 16 - 15.

The Trojans tried to run out most of the fourth quarter clock, and were greatly successful. Long runs by Kitchens overcame two penalties, but the Trojans had to punt upon reaching Pirate territory. Mickey Pittman's punt was beautiful, going out of bounds on the Pirate three with five minutes remaining in the game. A half the distance penalty slowed Saint Jude, but Belser's run to the Pirate twelve gave Saint Jude a short fourth down opportunity deep in their own territory, which they risked. Belser up the middle was stopped just inches short of the yardage necessary, and the Trojans took over possession. Five plays eating up clock and thirteen yards were fantastic for the Trojans, as Kitchens bowled in from the one. Gavin Finklea's extra point gave the Trojans an eight point lead with just over 100 seconds remaining.

However, the Pirates were not finished yet. A squib kickoff was returned to the Saint Jude 36, and a 23 yard pass on the next play had the Pirates only 41 yards from the endzone. A very costly offensive pass interference penalty on the following play, which would have been a 26 yard completion, drove a dagger into the final Pirate drive, and after the next snap Jay Allen intercepted a pass at the Trojan 29. Afterwards, only one kneel down play was needed for the Trojans to secure a victory against their city rival.

SAINT JUDE     RUSHING   27 attempts 146 yards 2 TDs (5.41 yards per carry)
                           PASSING    1 completion 2 attempts 1 INT 12 yards 0 TDs
                           TOTAL YARDS:   158

GAME 6: SAINT JAMES 23, @ Saint Jude 15