GAME 1:   ST. JAMES 10, Opp 7

Continuous rain caused numerous fumbles and bumbles, and each team converted scores from them.  However, Marshall Darneille's 20 yard FG early in the final quarter proved the difference as St. James overcame five turnovers, starting their season by avenging an opening 2000 season loss as they defeated the Opp Bobcats 10-7.

St. James started the game with one of their now-patented time controlling drives.  A Nathan Yates 48 yard apparent touchdown run was nullifed by a holding penalty on the fifth play of the drive.  However, the Trojans drove down to the 9 yard line before turning the ball over on a lost fumble despite consuming half of the first quarter.  The Bobcats drove to midfield, but then punted.  The teams again traded punts, and midway through the second quarter the Trojans suffered a second lost fumble with Opp taking over at the Trojan 25.  After overcoming a holding penalty and a somewhat confusing play involving an inadvertent whistle, Brock Kelly rumbled over from the 1.  The extra point was good and Opp led 7-0 with 3:04 left in the first half.

St. James turned the ball over on downs near midfield on their next possession, and Opp had a late chance to score, but a 43 yard field goal attempt at the halftime buzzer fell short.

The game changed dramatically on the second half kickoff.  Opp quarterback / kicker / kick returner Justin Queen muffed the kickoff and while scrambling, the ball was ripped out of his hands.  The Trojans recovered on the Opp 10 yard line, and two plays later Michael Brock scored the first offensive touchdown of his St. James career (from 10 yards).  Marshall Darneille's first extra point attempt was true, and the game was tied 7-7 early in the third quarter.

An Opp punt, an interception, and a second Opp punt left the ball on the Trojan 13 after a penalty.  The next four plays included a Nathan Yates run of 8 yards, a Ted Brewer run of 11 yards, a Bennett James run of 11, and a Yates run of 34.  Another 13 yard run by Yates gave St. James first and goal at the 6.  Three plays netted four yards, and Marshall Darneille converted an extra point length field goal from 20 yards just after the beginning of the fourth quarter.  St. James had their first lead of the year with 10:41 left in the game, about the time a steady rain began falling and causing all kinds of slippery problems.

Ball handling from then on was difficult at best.  Opp fumbled a punt snap giving St. James a first down on the Bobcat 19, but two plays later a fumble handed it right back.  After a second fumbled punt snap by Opp resulted in a shanked punt out of bounds at the Bobcat 26, St. James returned the favor with another fumble on the next play.  Opp did manage two first downs on their ensuing drive, but a critical penalty on second and 1 from the Trojan 37 stopped what could have been a game tying or leading score.  St. James took over on their own 44 after an Opp failed fourth down conversion with 2:36 left on the clock and the Bobcats having used all of their second half timeouts.  A face mask penalty, an 11 yard run by Yates, and a personal foul penalty gave the Trojans enough time, downs, and field to run out the clock, and run off the field sopping wet but pleased with a season opening 10-7 win in their capture.

GAME ONE SIDELINE STATISTICS:

ST. JAMES      RUSHING   48 attempts  203 yards  1 TD  (4.23 yards per carry) 

                         7   Thomas     9 /  60                 34   Yates       16 / 58       42   Brewer       9 /  54
                         1   Brock        9 /  33  (1 TD)       3   James        2 / 15         6   Gantt         3 / -17

                        PASSING     0 completions  2 attempts   1 INT  0 yards  0 TDs  (no sacks of)

                         6   Gantt            0 - 2 - 1          0 yards 

                        TOTAL YARDS:   203

OPP                 RUSHING   44 attempts  175 yards   1 TD  (3.98 yards per carry)
                        PASSING      2 completions  7 attempts  0 INTs  19 yards  0 TDs  (no sacks of)
                        TOTAL YARDS:  194

                        KICKS:  XP  1 / 1                FG  0 / 1  (43 missed)
                        2 POINT CONVERSIONS:  0 / 0
                        KICKOFFS:  2 (44,37)                               PUNTS:  5  (40,39,35,38,-7)
                        KO RETURNS:  3  (-7,16,23)                     PUNT RETURNS:  1 (7)
                        INTERCEPTION RETURNS:  1  (0)
                        FIRST DOWNS:  12  (11 rushing)
                        FUMBLES:  4, lost 2
                        PENALTIES:  11 / 101 yards
                        TIME OF POSSESSION:  24:04