9-14-01 ST. JAMES 40, Elmore County 6

SCORING SUMMARY:

STJ (1) 9:52 Winn 43 pass from Craft (Darneille kick)    7 - 0
STJ (1) 6:00 Craft 1 run (Darneille kick)    14 - 0
E C (2) 9:56 Steven 36 blocked punt return     (kick blocked) 14 - 6
STJ (2) 5:25 Thomas 16 run (kick failed)    20 - 6
STJ (2) 4:20 Brewer 15 run    (kick failed) 26 - 6
STJ (2) 0:51 Yates 1 run (Darneille kick) 33 - 6
STJ (3) 0:42 Brewer 21 run (Darneille kick) 40 - 6

September 14, 2001 Carlisle Field Game Conditions: Mostly cloudy, breezy Game Temperature: 76 Wind NE 10-15

St. James overcame a blocked punt touchdown return early in the second quarter to score 19 points of their own in the last 5½ minutes of the first half and coasted in the second half to a 40-6 regional win over the Elmore County Panthers on a night where the thoughts of all were foremost with those who had suffered losses in the multiple disasters in America earlier in the week.

On the first drive of the game, first down runs by Josh Thomas and Nathan Yates were supplemented by a 43 yard touchdown pass from Alan Craft to Daniel Winn on a third and ten situation. Marshall Darneille's extra point was good and the Trojans were ahead 7-0 just 2:08 into the first quarter.

After two consecutive first down runs by the Panthers, a fumble was recovered by St. James on their own 45. Runs by Ted Brewer and Yates eased the ball downfield, and Craft snuck in from the 1 with exactly 6 minutes to go in the first quarter. The extra point pushed the lead to 14-0.

The Panthers again drove up the field with three first downs, but an interception by Will Thrasher stopped the drive at the Trojan 38. After two first downs, however, a quarterback sack forced St. James into a punting situation on the third play of the second quarter. The Panthers rushed and blocked the punt. The ball was kicked further backwards and picked up by Panther lineman Terry Steven at the Trojan 36 where he dashed into the endzone. The extra point attempt was deflected wide, and the Panthers were back in the game at 14-6 with nearly 10 minutes remaining in the half.

St. James was forced to punt on a three and out and Elmore County had the momentum. However, on the first play of the ensuing drive, a fumbled pitch recovered by the Trojans put them in business at the Panther 32. Four plays later, Josh Thomas ran up the middle for the final 16 yards and another Trojan touchdown. The point attempt this time was wide, making the score 20-6 with 5:25 remaining in the half.

Elmore County fumbled again, on the kickoff return, and two plays later Ted Brewer rambled in from 15 yards for the touchdown. The kick this time went wide left, but St. James had a 26-6 lead at the 4:20 mark of the half, with momentum back on their side.

The Panthers again failed to advance and were forced to punt. St. James took over with 3 timeouts and 52 yards to travel with 1:57 to go in the half. After a short run, a 28 yard Craft pass to Alex Howell had St. James on the Elmore County 16. After a quarterback sack, Craft recovered, lofting a pass to Coe Baxter for 30 yards down to the 1, and Yates carried it over on the next play for the Trojans' fifth touchdown of the first half. The kick this time, although nearly being blocked, was good, and St. James had built a substantial 33-6 lead at halftime.

A St. James field goal attempt of 44 yards was just wide early in the third quarter, and the teams then traded punts. Elmore County turned the ball over again on the Trojan 9 yard line, and despite two penalties, Ted Brewer rumbled in from the 21. The extra point led to the final margin of 40-6.

The only Trojan turnover of the game gave the Panthers a chance to score midway through the fourth quarter from their own 20, the only time the Panther offense ever threatened the endzone, but a sack and two pass incompletions led to Elmore County turning over the ball on downs. Methodical running, in part by first-time ball carrier Philip Drennen, normally a linebacker, allowed St. James to run out the clock and collect their second region win of the season.

                        42   Brewer   16 / 93 (2 TD)    7   Thomas   7 / 57 (1 TD)    34   Yates   9 / 50 (1 TD)
                          3   James      5 / 17             51   Drennen   5 / 14                17 Debardelaben 2 / 7
                        10   Craft       5 / - 34 (1 TD)

                        KICKS: XP 4 / 6                FG 0 / 1   (44 missed)
                        2 POINT CONVERSIONS: 0 / 0
                        KICKOFFS: 7 (53,53,53,45,48,40,57)   PUNTS: 3 (-23bk, 25,43)
                        KO RETURNS: 0                                PUNT RETURNS: 2 (12,7)
                        INTERCEPTION RETURNS: 3 (0,3,0)
                        FIRST DOWNS:   18    (15 rushing, 3 passing)
                        FUMBLES: 1, lost 1
                        TURNOVER MARGIN:   + 5
                        PENALTIES: 8 / 75 yards
                        TIME OF POSSESSION: 27:20

ELMORE CO. RUSHING   32 attempts 54 yards 0 TDs (1.69 yards per carry)
                        PASSING      1 completions 9 attempts 3 INTs 15 yards 0 TDs (2 sacks of, - 15 yards)
                        TOTAL YARDS: 69

                        KICKS: XP 0 / 1 FG 0 / 0
                        2 POINT CONVERSIONS: 0 / 0
                        KICKOFFS: 2 (OB,OB)     PUNTS: 2 (45,29)
                        KO RETURNS: 6 (22,10,4f,18,12,22)
                        FIRST DOWNS: 9   (7 rushing, 1 passing, 1 penalty)
                        FUMBLES: 4, lost 3
                      PENALTIES: 2 / 10 yards
                        TIME OF POSSESSION: 20:40

GAME 3: ST. JAMES 40, Elmore County 6