GAME 5:  @ Briarwood Christian 35,  St. James 9

St. James, ranked 7th statewide in 3A in the AHSAA polls, rolled into a juggernaut, traveling to Birmingham and losing to 3rd ranked and undefeated Briarwood 35 - 9.   The Trojans held tough early, trailing only 14 - 3 after the first half, but several costly mistakes allowed the Lions to put the game away in the third quarter.

After St. James picked up two first downs on their initial possession, a punt gave the Lions the ball on their 20 yard line.  A 5-play drive was highlighted by a 70 yard run by Jeff Flannery, who also ran the final four yards several plays later for the first score of the game.

On the next drive, an interception was returned by the Lions to the Trojan 29.  After a first down run by Flannery, however, the Trojans stiffened and held Briarwood on downs at the 8 yard line.  Several drives later, in the second quarter, a Trojan fumble and the ensuing return set up the second touchdown of the game - a 60 yard pass from Flannery to Robert Gant. The extra point by Graham Wilson made the score 14-0 Briarwood midway through the second quarter.

Immediately, a fantastic kickoff return by Stephen Woodham of 63 yards set the Trojans in business. After a first down, the drive stalled, and Michael Ritch was called in to kick a 33 yard FG, giving the Trojans their first score of the game.   Briarwood Christian manufactured another drive late in the half, but on the last play of the half, a fake field goal resulted in an interception and an exciting 40 yard return by Speed McDonald which was one tackle from becoming an 87 yard touchdown return.

After stopping the Lions again on downs at the Trojan 38, St. James coughed up the ball on their first offensive play, but a penalty and a sack eventually forced a Lion punt.  On the second play of the second drive, Ryan Sexton was intercepted by Randy Goggans, who returned 25 yards for Briarwood's third touchdown and a 21-3 mid-third quarter lead.   On the first play of the Lions' next drive, after a punt just outside the Trojan goal line, Robert Gant ran for another score of 22 yards putting Briarwood in control at 28-3.

Early in the fourth quarter, Briarwood wrapped up their scoring with Conor Sullivan catching a 24 yard touchdown pass on a gadget play from wide receiver Rob Shaw.  After a series of mostly Lion penalties, the running clock was employed for the remainder of the fourth quarter.  St. James did manage to reach the endzone on the last play of the game on a 50 yard touchdown pass from Lee Murphy to Woodham.  No extra point was attempted after the final play of regulation time.

Gracious thanks are offered here to the St. James Home Page's "Birmingham Correspondent", William Richardson, who attended the game and forwarded the information.

SIDELINE STATISTICS - GAME FIVE  

ST. JAMES      RUSHING   37 attempts  76 yards   0 TDs  (2.30 yards per carry)

                        19   McMillan     16 / 45         21   Grooms   9 / 32        35   Reid       3 / 12
                        44   McDonald      1 /  6         15   Ritch       1 /   5        17   Sexton    1 /  0
                        10   Murphy        6 / - 24

                        PASSING     5 completions  13 attempts  2 INTs  102 yards  1 TD  (3 sacks of, - 22 yards)

                        10   Murphy       5 - 13 - 2      102 yards   1 TD   (3 sacks, - 22)

                        RECEIVING

                        22   Woodham    1 / 50  (TD)   35   Reid    2 / 28          21  Grooms   2 / 24

                        TOTAL YARDS:  178