GAME 8: SAINT JAMES 21, Montgomery Academy 6

M A 0 0 0 6 6

STJ 0 7 14 0 21

SCORING SUMMARY:

STJ   (2) 2:23 Berry 2 run (Darneille kick)    7 - 0
STJ   (3) 8:40   Armstrong 50 run                           (Darneille kick)    14 - 0
STJ   (3) 0:47   Brown 31 pass from Armstrong        (Darneille kick)    21 - 0
M A (4) 5:13   Harmon 14 pass from Brown               (kick failed)    21 - 6

October 21, 1994. Carlisle Field. Game Conditions: Cloudy, sporadic showers Game Temperature: 66 Wind: Variable, light

Saint James overcame both a sloppy field and a sloppy offense to start by scoring three touchdowns in just barely more than a quarter's worth of time as the Trojans defeated one of their city rivals, the Montgomery Academy Eagles, at home for the first time since 1985 by a 21 - 6 score.

The Trojans could only manage eight yards of rushing on their initial drive of the game, and a sorta-shanked punt gave the Eagles good field position at midfield. Four plays netted rushes of 1, 11, 6, and 25, and the Eagles were in business at the Trojan 7. However, the defense stiffened, forcing a four yard loss on third down at the four yard line. A 25 yard field goal was attempted, but it sailed wide right, and Saint James had avoided an early bullet.

Saint James actually lost three yards on their next drive in a swiftly moving first quarter, and after the punt return the Eagles were at the Trojan 48. A 10 yard run on first down was followed by a penalty and several short runs. After being dropped behind the line on a quarterback sneak, Eagle quarterback Robert Brown was stuffed for a minimal gain on fourth down, turning the ball back over to the Trojans on the next to last play of the first quarter.

Again, the Trojans failed to convert a first down, but at least this time the punt pushed Montgomery Academy back into their own territory, albeit barely. Ken Klinger blitzed and sacked Brown for an 11 yard loss on first down. The next two plays only made up seven of the yards, forcing the Eagles into their first punt. Cade Armstrong fielded the punt at his own 14 and literally slipped through defenders wet hands as his return went for 44 yards, giving the Trojans a first down at the Eagle 42. Saint James would make the Eagles pay for not cashing in on any of their three opening drives. Armstrong, Mark Berry, and Hunter Pappas alternated carries on the next 11 plays. No run was for more than six yards, but no run was for less than two, and Berry was rewarded with a carry from the Eagle two for the game's initial score. Jason Darneille was true on his extra point, and Saint James was up 7 - 0 late in the first half as they finally picked up yardage against the stingy Eagle defense.

A fine kickoff return and several good runs gave the Eagles yet another scoring chance late. However, Armstrong intercepted a pass at the Trojan 12 and returned it to the 29 with less than 35 seconds remaining, and the Trojans were able to run out the clock and maintain their touchdown lead at halftime.

Like the Trojans, Montgomery Academy was forced to punt on their opening drive of the half, and Armstrong's punt return advanced the ball to the Trojan 48. Berry picked up two yards on first down, and then Armstrong called his own number on a sweep which became an off tackle play where he was sweeping off potential tacklers. Armstrong broke into the clear at about the 30 yard line and outraced all the Eagles to the endzone on an amazing effort predominantly by himself. Darneille's extra point doubled the Trojan lead to 14 early in the third quarter.

As Montgomery Academy began its next drive, distracting smoke from halftime fireworks was settling down over the field under the heavy rain-filled clouds. An Eagle lineman recovered a fumble to prevent an immediate disaster deep in Trojan territory, and two plays later a face mask penalty, Saint James' only penalty of the game, gave the Eagles first down at the Trojan 40. However, two plays later, Brown fumbled and Mark Berry, playing as a defensive lineman, recovered for the Trojans. The rain was a bit heavier now, but it was diluting the remaining smoke, and encouraging the remaining Berry. He, Armstrong, and Pappas again shared carries. An encroachment penalty helped along the way, but Armstrong was stuffed for a yard loss at his own 30. Brian Brown lined up at the tight end position on the next play, as he had for several dozen before, but this time he was sent deep to the endzone and Armstrong managed to get him the ball despite the rain and the slippery hands for a Trojan touchdown. Darneille's third consecutive extra point seemed to have sealed the game for Saint James as they led by three touchdowns with just over a quarter remaining.

The Eagles could not score on their next drive, but they bottled the Trojans up at their own 10 yard line to start the next drive. Three plays lost yardage, and a short punt into the wind was returned to the Trojan 31. After a first down, the Eagles appeared to be stalling again, but on fourth and four from the Trojan 14, Brown found Mark Harmon open in the endzone, and his fantastic catch finally put Montgomery Academy on the scoreboard. Like the earlier field goal attempt, the extra point try was wide right, and Saint James was still up by 15 with little more than five minutes remaining.

An onside kick attempt failed, with Armstrong rushing up from his deep position as kickoff returner to smother the ball at the Saint James 43. With the Eagles down to but one time out in the final half, it took Berry, Pappas, and Armstrong only eight plays and two first downs to run out the remainder of the clock, and the Trojans looked forward to perhaps their biggest game in nearly a decade as they would face the undefeated (8-0) Catholic Knights the following week to determine the 2A Area 5 Champion and the reward of hosting that all-important first round playoff game.

SIDELINE STATISTICS - GAME EIGHT

SAINT JAMES RUSHING    40 attempts 165 yards 2 TDs (4.13 yards per carry)

                      69   Berry           17 / 73 (1 TD)     12 Armstrong      13 / 67 (1 TD)
                          17   Pappas           6 / 31                    20   Searcy            1 / - 6

PASSING 1 completion 2 attempts 0 INTs 31 yards 1 TD (1 sack of, - 8 yards)

12 Armstrong 1 - 2 - 0 31 yards (TD)

RECEIVING

34 Brown 1 / 31 (TD)

TOTAL YARDS: 197

                  KICKS: XP 3 / 3             FG 0 / 0
                          2 POINT CONVERSIONS: 0 / 0
                          KICKOFFS:   4 (52,53,53,47)                   PUNTS:   4 (18,33,32,34)
                          KO RETURNS: 2 (6,0)                PUNT RETURNS: 3 (44,10,-2)
                          INTERCEPTION RETURNS: 1 (17)
                          FIRST DOWNS:   10 (9 rushing, 1 passing)
        FUMBLES: 0
TURNOVER MARGIN: + 2
      PENALTIES: 1 / 15 yards
                          TIME OF POSSESSION: 24:56

MONT ACAD     RUSHING    30 attempts 123 yards 0 TDs (4.10 yards per carry)
                          PASSING     2 completions 7 attempts 1 INT 21 yards 1 TD (1 sack of, 11 yards)
                          TOTAL YARDS: 144

                        KICKS: XP 0 / 1                FG 0 / 1
                          2 POINT CONVERSIONS: 0 / 0
                          KICKOFFS: 2 (42,17)             PUNTS: 3 (46,35,44)
                          KO RETURNS: 4 (28,17,18,24)          PUNT RETURNS: 3 (2,12,10)
                          FIRST DOWNS:   9 (7 rushing, 1 passing, 1 penalty)
    FUMBLES: 4, lost 1
        PENALTIES: 3 / 15 yards
                          TIME OF POSSESSION: 23:04

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