GAME 4:   SAINT JAMES 21, D.C. Wolfe 6

September 15, 1989  Collier Field.   Game Conditions:   Steady rain early   Game temperature:  75   Wind:  minimal

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Saint James managed to hold on the football well enough during a continuous rain, scoring three first half touchdowns before the field became a sloshfest after the halftime ceremonies, as they charged to their first win of the season, a 21 - 6 victory over the visiting D.C. Wolfe Pirates of Shorter.

The Pirates lost a net of eight yards on their first possession, thanks to a wayward toss sweep and a delay of game penalty, and a short punt gave the Trojans great field possession early at the Wolfe 26.  Jeff George ran for nineteen yards on the first play.  After an encroachment penalty, and a two yard gain by George, Wade Hartley called his own number from the two and scored the first touchdown of the night.  Gabe Harris' extra point was good and the Trojans had a rare early lead of 7 - 0.

D.C. Wolfe punted again from their 11, but this time the punt was deeper, although the Trojans did start in Wolfe territory.  However, four plays netted only one yard and Saint James turned the ball over on downs.  Saint James pushed the Pirates back another eight yards before the third punt of the quarter finally moved the ball back into Trojan territory, with Saint James taking over at their own 44.  George and Parker carried the ball for eight consecutive plays, with a defensive offside penalty included, down to the Pirate two yard line.

Fortunately, perhaps, the first quarter ended and the teams changed ends to a relatively undisturbed part of the field.  On first down, Hartley duplicated his two yard burst of the first quarter for the game's second touchdown, which was immediately followed by Harris' second extra point.

The Pirates finally moved the ball for their best drive of the game and their only march into Trojan territory.  Jimmy Williams carried for several first downs and caught a pass for another on the drive.  A roughing the passer penalty moved the ball down to the Trojan 28.  After a one yard gain, Sidney Johnson passed to LaShawn Moore for 27 yards and a touchdown.  The extra point failed, but D.C. Wolfe had cut the lead nearly in half midway through the second quarter.

Saint James recovered an ill-fated onside kick which turned into a squib on the wet turf at their own 41.  From there, the Trojans trudged down the field using the clock wisely and getting a big boost on a fourth down Pirate offside penalty.  On second down from the Pirate 18, Hartley tossed a touchdown pass to Barry Nave in the last minute of the half.  Harris' extra point gave Saint James a 21 - 6 lead into halftime.  By then, the entire field was soaked and sloppy, and the halftime band presentations did not halp matters at all.

D.C. Wolfe almost pulled off the amazing play of the game to start the third quarter as they kicked the ball off.  It bounced at the 27 yard line and took a tremendous hop over onrushing potential fielders and somehow managed to get all the way to the endzone on the slick field as both teams raced toward the loose ball.  Saint James was lucky to recover and maintain possession.  Neither team threatened on their first drives of the second half, but the Trojans were moving into Pirate territory again.  Nave caught a pass from Hartley, but the ball was ripped out by defenders and recovered by Wolfe at their own 25, perhaps preventing a score.

A shanked Pirate punt gave the Trojans first down at the Wolfe 35.  George's 11 yard run gave the Trojans another first down, but on third down a Hartley pass was tipped and intercepted in the endzone.  On third down from the Pirates' own 20, Wolfe completed a 15 yard pass and finally had some momentum.  However, before the next play began, a dead ball unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was called and the ball was immediately marched right back to the twenty with a first down and 25 looming.  Wolfe could not convert another first down, and the Trojans were content to let most of the fourth quarter clock run out on their next drive.  They punted with less than three minutes remaining, but both teams exchanged lost fumbles near the end of the game ensuring no second half scoring.  However, Saint James didn't need any as they walked away happily, and quite soaked, with their first victory of a tough season.

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