10-20-00 ST. JAMES 21, Trinity 0

SCORING SUMMARY:

STJ (2) 8:22 Yates 3 run (Webb kick) 7 - 0
STJ (2) 6:37 Winn 35 interception return (kick failed) 13 - 0
STJ (2) :29 Smith 1 pass from Craft (Guntharp pass from Craft) 21 - 0

October 20, 2000. Carlisle Field. Game Conditions: Mostly cloudy Game Temperature: 76. Wind: Light, variable.

Saint James continued their hold on the all-time city record streak of (now) 16 consecutive Capital City Conference victories and moved closer to a fourth consecutive CCC championship, defeating the previously undefeated and 4A - 8th ranked Trinity Wildcats 21-0 in front of an excessively overflow Carlisle crowd.

The game thruout was a defensive struggle, with the only points being scored in an 8 minute increment of the second quarter. Trinity actually had the first chance to score in the game, midway through the first quarter, marching down as far as the Trojan 24 on their initial drive. However, a 49 yard field goal attempt veered wide right and the game remained scoreless.

The next three drives included an interception by Trinity (the Trojans' only turnover of the night), a failed fourth and four attempt by Trinity on the Trojans 26, and a short shanked St. James punt. On the second play of the second quarter, Trinity had first down and 10 on the Trojan 39. A botched handoff was recovered in midair by STJ defensive lineman Neal Bright and he advanced it several yards to the Trojan 46, where the Trojans converted a 7 play 54 yard drive into 7 points. Two passes from Alan Craft to Matt Salvia for 21 and 17 yards, and three runs by Nathan Yates put the ball on the 9 yard line with first down. Ted Brewer on first down drove up the middle for six yards, and then Yates went around right end for the final three and the first score of the game. Lawton Webb's extra point was good, and St. James had a 7-0 lead at the 8:22 mark of the second quarter.

It only took the Trojans three more plays to score a second time. A third down Trinity pass was intercepted by Daniel Winn near the Wildcat sideline at the Trojan 35 and he returned it untouched all the way for a quick touchdown. Webb's extra point this time was wide right, but St. James had built a 13-0 lead.

Trinity, who was held to only 13 yards rushing, two completed passes, and two first downs after their second drive of the game, went three and out again and a long punt out of the endzone gave St. James the ball on their own 20 with 5:37 to go in the half. The Trojans would use nearly the entire clock to drive 80 yards for a third score. The first three plays included a Craft to Nigel Guntharp pass for 16, a 28 yard run by Yates, and an 18 yard run by Brewer. Trinity hastily called a timeout to regroup as the ball was on the Wildcat 18. Later, after a St. James personal foul and a third down offensive holding penalty, the Trojans had third and 22 on the Wildcat 30. A four yard run by Yates and a precision fourth down pass from Craft to a wide open Yates down the middle for 21 yards gave the Trojans a huge first down at the 5 yard line. Three runs netted four yards, but on fourth down, Craft avoided heavy pressure and lofted a beautiful scrambling pass to tight end Zack Smith for his first reception of the year, a touchdown. A two point pass attempt from Craft to Guntharp was deflected, but caught, and the conversion gave the Trojans a 21-0 lead with 29.6 seconds to go in the half. These three touchdowns would be the only scoring in the entire contest.

The second half was, obviously, for the most part a defensive stronghold on both sides. Trinity had a second opportunity for a field goal early in the third quarter, a 29 yard attempt, but it was wide left. The Wildcats would never seriously threaten to score again. A second interception by Daniel Winn stopped one of the Trinity drives. In the last five minutes of the game, the Trojans used a roughing the kicker penalty to extend a drive for three first downs, enough to run out the clock. During the drive, freshman Ted Brewer, in only his second varsity appearance, gained many of the yards. His two biggest runs were of 33 and 31 yards in the fourth quarter, giving him a game high total of 127 on 18 carries. St. James chose to run out the clock in the last minute with the ball at the Trinity 10, clinching a tie for their fourth consecutive Capital City Conference title and further stirring the 4A Region 3 standings.

TRINITY         RUSHING   22 attempts 58 yards 0 TDs (2.64 yards per carry)
                        PASSING      3 completions 18 attempts 2 INTs 37 yards 0 TDs (no sacks of)
                        TOTAL YARDS: 95
                        FIRST DOWNS:   5 (2 rushing, 3 passing)
        FUMBLES: 2, lost 1
        PENALTIES:   3 / 35 yards
                        TIME OF POSSESSION: 17:00

GAME 8: ST. JAMES 21, Trinity 0