GAME 1: @ Alabama Christian 28, Saint James 21

ACA 0 14 0 14 28

STJ 0 0 14 7 21

SCORING SUMMARY:

ACA (2) -----   J. Anfield 2 run                  (kick good)   0 -   7
ACA (2) -----   J. Anfield 24 run                              (kick good)     0 - 14
STJ    (3) 1:49   Smith 8 pass from Olsen                       (Horn kick)     7 - 14
STJ    (3) 0:00   Robertson 4 pass from Olsen                (Horn kick)   14 - 14
ACA (4) 6:10   Jackson 6 run                                    (kick good)   14 - 21
ACA (4) 1:45   J. Anfield 1 run                                     (kick good)   14 - 28
STJ    (4) -----   Robertson 19 pass from Olsen               (Horn kick)   21 - 28

September 6, 1996. Alabama Christian Field. Game Conditions: not yet available

In a game which was originally scheduled to be played at Carlisle Field, but was moved to Alabama Christian when it was determined the off-field structures (concession stand, restrooms, bleachers, field house, press box) were still not ready for full occupation after the destructive tornado from the previous spring, the Eagles took advantage of the move as brothers Mike and Joe Anfield rushed for well over 300 yards, surviving one Trojan comeback, to win the opener between the two teams, 28 - 21.

Most of the rushing damage was done by Joe Anfield, who ran for 161 yards on 19 carries, including three touchdowns. Nathan Jackson also reached the 100 yard plateau on 21 carries, and picked up the go-ahead touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.

Anfield's touchdowns of 2 and 24 yards were the only offensive highlights of the first half. The Trojans finally got some momentum thanks to Eagle fumbles on consecutive drives. The first led to an Alan Olsen touchdown pass, his first of three, for eight yards to Jason Smith. Keith Horn's extra point cut the Alabama Christian lead in half late in the third quarter. Only seconds later, the Trojans recovered another Eagle fumble and on the last play of the third quarter, Andy Robertson was on the receiving end of a 19 yarder from Olsen. Horn's extra point tied the game as the third quarter expired, and the Trojans, a young team loaded with sophomores and juniors, had made an impressively quick comeback from two touchdowns down. However, Anfield's third touchdown from one yard out midway through the final quarter, and Jackson's six yard run in the last two minutes of the game sealed the Eagle victory.

Olsen did march the Trojans down the field gallantly for a last minute touchdown pass to Robertson, but Saint James could not recover the onside kick afterwards and Alabama Christian celebrated with a season-opening Capital City Conference victory.

PARTIAL STATISTICS - GAME ONE

SAINT JAMES RUSHING 32 attempts 114 yards 0 TDs (3.56 yards per carry)

PASSING 11 completions 16 attempts 0 INTs 165 yards 3 TDs

17 Olsen 11 - 16 - 0 165 yards 3 TDs

TOTAL YARDS: 289

                      KICKS: XP 3 / 3             FG 0 / 0
                          2 POINT CONVERSIONS: 0 / 0
                          PUNTS: 6
                           FIRST DOWNS:   12
          FUMBLES: 3, lost 1
    TURNOVER MARGIN: + 1
        PENALTIES: 6 / 50 yards
                          TIME OF POSSESSION: n/y/a

A C A RUSHING    51 attempts 337 yards 4 TDs (6.61 yards per carry)
                          PASSING     2 completions 4 attempts 0 INTs 32 yards 0 TDs
                          TOTAL YARDS: 369

                          KICKS: XP 4 / 4                FG 0 / 0
                          2 POINT CONVERSIONS: 0 / 0
                          PUNTS: 1
                          FIRST DOWNS:   15
      FUMBLES: 3, lost 2
          PENALTIES: 4 / 45 yards
                          TIME OF POSSESSION: n/y/a

RETURN TO THE SAINT JAMES 1996 FOOTBALL HOMEPAGE