STJ (1) 1:35 Ca. Armstrong
11 run
(Vickers kick) 7 - 0
H A (2) 2:32 Walker 8
run
(kick
failed) 7 - 6
H A (3) ----- Eiland 25
FG
7 - 9
September 18, 1992
Westgate
Park Stadium Game Conditions: not yet
available
Saint
James could only manage eight yards of offense in the second half
while Houston Academy scored on consecutive third quarter drives,
including their first touchdown of the young three-game season, as
the homestanding Raiders defeated the Trojans 9 to 7.
The interception bug was prevalent in this defensive struggle,
especially not favoring the Trojans. On the second scrimmage
play of the game, Cade Armstrong threw the first of four
interceptions. However, the Trojans stood tall as they
denied the Raiders on fourth down and five from the Trojan
35. After a Trojan punt, the Raiders moved down the field to
nearly the same location. On this occasion however, John
Eiland was called in to attempt a 51 yard field goal. It was
blocked by Will Cawthon and the ball was rejected all the way back
to the Raider 17 yard line before it was finally fallen upon by
Saint James.
Steve Barton carried twice for six yards, and on third down Cade
Armstrong called his own number for the eleven yards and what
would be the only Saint James score of the evening. Tripp
Vickers added the extra point, and Saint James was up 7 - 0 late
in the first quarter. Unfortunately, the 17 yards gained on
that drive would be over a third of the 49 total net yards earned
by the Trojans in the entire game.
Scott Walker, backup Houston Academy running back called in to
replace Brian Petrie who was injured in the first quarter, fumbled
at the Trojan 23 preventing another possible Raider score.
After a Trojan punt, the Raiders finally reached the endzone for
the first time in nearly ten quarters. Walker caught a 14
yard pass from Charlie Parrish, and Matt McFarland carried for 15
yards immediately prior to the Walker 8 yard touchdown.
Eiland's extra point was wide, thus the Trojans maintained a slim
lead late in the first half.
The Raiders missed a great opportunity to score just before
halftime as Pepper Clark picked off the first of his two passes
and raced 35 yards down to the Saint James 7 yard line.
Three plays netted insignificant yardage, and a botched snap on
another field goal attempt cost Houston Academy a potential
halftime lead.
However, with the Trojans only netting eight yards of offense in
the second half, it only took Eiland's field goal of 25 yards in
the third quarter to provide enough points for the Raiders' home
victory. Walker, who scored the lone Raider touchdown,
rushed for 122 yards on 24 carries in a backup role.
Thanks in great part to Ann Henderson of The Dothan Eagle for
recap assistance.