GAME 1:   @ Opp 14, St. James 7

The Opp Bobcats scored on each of their first two possessions on extended drives, and held off a late rallying attempt by the Trojans, winning the 2000 season varsity football opener for both teams, 14-7.

After a St. James punt, Opp took over at their own 34 yard line and consumed most of the first quarter on a 15 play drive, overcoming two penalties and converting two fourth downs; the touchdown was a 30 yard pass from Allen Burgess to Justin Queen on fourth down and 16.  The extra point failed, but Opp had a 6-0 lead with 4 minutes to go in the first quarter.

St. James was three and out for the second straight drive and Opp moved down the field for 14 plays this time.  A 19 yard run by Cornelius Stoudemire set up the Bobcats with first and goal on the Trojan 4, and Burgess scored on a quarterback sweep on the next play.  Pesky sophomore running back Richard Justice, who finished the game with 82 yards rushing, attempted and was granted the two points on a conversion, although it appeared he had fumbled before crossing the goal line.  Opp had a commanding 14-0 lead midway through the second quarter.

The Trojans did mount a drive just before halftime, highlighted by 3 runs and a pass reception by Nathan Yates, but could not convert on fourth down and 6 at the Opp 14.

In the third quarter, after Opp's second possession, an extended injury time out seemed to changed momentum.  A nice punt return by A.Z. Holloway gave the Trojans excellent field position on the Opp 33.  Two plays later, quarterback Alan Craft lofted a pretty pass down the middle to Matt Salvia who had skirted past two defenders for a 30 yard touchdown, the second 30 yard touchdown pass of the game.  Lawton Webb's extra point was true, and the Trojans had cut the lead in half with 4:36 to go in the third quarter.

The teams then traded punts, but St. James cornered Opp on their own 2 yard line and the Trojans sensed opportunity.  However, Opp managed to grind out four first downs on the ensuing drive, eating up more than 9 minutes of valuable clock.  The Opp drive-ending punt traveled into the endzone, and the Trojans had less than 5 minutes and 80 yards to tie the score.  St. James did convert three first downs, but committed the only turnover of the game with a fumble on the Bobcat 32 yard line with 2:22 to go.  Opp ran out the clock and ran off the field with their season opening hard fought 14-7 victory.

GAME ONE SIDELINE STATISTICS:

ST. JAMES      RUSHING   22 attempts  63 yards  0 TDs   (2.86 yards per carry)

                         2   Guntharp      8 / 38             34   Yates       9 / 36          10   Craft          3 / - 8
                       22   Winn            1 / - 1             19   Baxter     1 / - 2

                        PASSING      6 completions  12 attempts  0 INTs  77 yards   1 TD  (1 sack of, - 9 yards)

                       10   Craft        6 - 12 - 0    77 yards   1 TD   (1 sack, - 9)

                        RECEIVING

                       44   Salvia            1 / 30   (1 TD)    34   Yates            3 / 18
                       22   Winn             1 / 18                   4   Holloway       1 / 11

                        TOTAL YARDS:   140

OPP                 RUSHING   48 attempts  172 yards  1 TD     (3.79 yards per carry)
                        PASSING      3 completions  10 attempts   0 INTs  61 yards  1 TD   (1 sack of, - 6 yards)
                        TOTAL YARDS:  233
 
                        KICKS:  XP  0 / 1                FG  0 / 0
                        2 POINT CONVERSIONS:  1 / 1
                        FIRST DOWNS:  15  (13 rushing, 1 passing, 1 penalty)
                        FUMBLES:  3, lost 0
                        PENALTIES:  10 / 83 yards
                        TIME OF POSSESSION:  32:37