CAL 0 0 0 6 6
The first quarter was clearly the most dominant offensive barrage the Trojans had put together in 1999. After forcing Calhoun to punt, St. James took over on the Tiger 45 and scored two plays later. The first play was a wonderful deep pass from Ryan Sexton to Matt Grooms covering 42 yards - Grooms being pulled down just before he reached the endzone. Speed McDonald carried the final 3 yards on the next play for the touchdown. A delay of game penalty on the extra point led to a miss, but St. James had a 6-0 lead only 2½ minutes into the contest.
Calhoun was again forced to punt, and St. James took over on their own 26. A six play drive was highlighted by a McDonald 16 yard run and another 44 yard catch and run from Sexton to Grooms. Wade Melton was called on, and he fought for the final ten yards of the drive and another Trojan touchdown. Even after a roughing the kicker penalty negated a miss, a second try was also missed and the lead doubled to 12-0 with 4:47 still remaining in the first quarter.
Calhoun again punted after three plays and no first down. St. James was again in the endzone in three plays after runs of 24 and 12 by McDonald, and a third Sexton to Grooms pass, this one for 25 yards and another touchdown. Despite two more defensive penalties, a third conversion failed, but the Trojans assumed early command with an 18-0 lead still in the first quarter.
In the second and third quarters, the defense continued to shine, but the offense suddenly stalled. Three fumbles lost and an interception intermixed with more costly penalties stifled drive after drive. Calhoun finally managed its first serious scoring threat late in the third quarter. After a 14 play drive bolstered by two Trojan major distance penalties, Calhoun lined up for a field goal at the Trojan 15. Matt Grooms shattered the line and literally took the ball just out of the holders' hand when it was kicked and shuffled the ball itself back out away from the Trojan goalline.
Midway through the fourth quarter, St. James executed a beautiful 9 play 91 yard drive highlighted by five runs of double digit yardage, and a 7 yard TD trot by Ashley Snipe. Again, the conversion failed, but St. James had a safe 24-0 lead with 2:57 to go in the game. The Calhoun starters did manage to add a touchdown in the last half minute of the game against the second and third string Trojan defenders, with Tiger quarterback Morris Davison scampering the final 21 yards. A two point conversion was stuffed, and the Trojans were content with a 24-6 road area victory.
The defense again sparkled, holding Calhoun to 71 yards in their first 11 drives before surrendering 71 on the final drive. Had there not been 4 Trojan turnovers (to Calhoun's 0) and the six major distance penalties - the game likely would have been considerably more lopsided.
SIDELINE STATISTICS - GAME FOUR
ST. JAMES RUSHING 44 attempts 233 yards 3 TDs (5.30 yards per carry)
1 McDonald 15 / 141 (1 TD) 20 Melton 11 / 83 (1 TD)17 Sexton 6 - 11 - 1 144 yards 1 TD (3 sacks, - 20 yards)
RECEIVING
21 Grooms 3 /
111 (1
TD)
2 Guntharp 3 /
33
TOTAL
YARDS: 377