GAME 3:   ST. JAMES 21, Elmore County 7

St. James reversed the previous week's bug-a-boos by converting two opponent turnovers into touchdowns, and the defense held stout in the second half as the Trojans earned their first region win of the season, a 21-7 decision over the visiting Elmore County Panthers.

Both teams moved the ball somewhat on their first drives, but it was the Panthers who won the field position battle as the Trojans started their second drive from their own 7 yard line.  After a quarterback sack, the ensuing punt gave Elmore County great field position at the Trojan 40.  However, on third down, Chris Roberts intercepted a pass on the far sideline at the Trojan 27.  On first down, the ball was handed off to Ted Brewer straight up the middle and he avoided the line scrum and broke away from two potential tacklers 5 yards downfield, outracing pursuers all the way to the endzone for a 73 yard touchdown sprint.  Will Stansfield converted on his first of three extra points and St. James was up 7-0 with 3:45 remaining in the first quarter.

Deon Floyd returned the ensuing kickoff 41 yards to midfield, and a roughing the passer penalty extended the Panther possession.  However, this drive was also terminated by a turnover, a lost fumble at the Trojan 16.  Several runs by Brewer and quarterback Brett Gantt, plus a key defensive pass interference penalty, moved the ball downfield to the Panther 12.  Two plays later, Gantt connected with Taylor Nelson on an 8 yard crossing pass for a touchdown and the lead was up to 14-0, all 14 points the result of Panther turnovers.

Elmore County's best drive of the night followed.  The Panthers took 11 plays to move 79 yards.  Tony DeJarnette ran for a first down, completed a 26 yard pass for another first down, and ended the drive with an 11 yard touchdown pass to Jessie Smith.  Tyler Gates added the extra point and the lead was cut in half at 14-7 with over 4 minutes remaining in the half.  Each team had the ball one more time in the first half but neither threatened to score.

The Panthers earned two first downs on their initial second half drive, but punted deep.  The Trojans moved out across midfield, but their drive stalled as well .  What may have been the most important play of the game was a punt by Ted Brewer.  From the Panther 48, he kicked away from the dangerous DeJarnette who was back to return, and the ball took an excellent bounce and roll to be downed by the Trojans on the Panther 1.  Three plays only netted four yards, and the Panther punt was low and took a backwards bounce, giving St. James excellent field position at the Panther 27.  A Gantt to Matt Ward pass of 19 yards overcame a holding penalty and converted a key first down, and two plays later Brewer scored again from just outside the goal line.  Stansfield's kick wrapped up the scoring at 21-7.

Elmore County drove again into Trojan territory, but a poorly thrown pass was intercepted by Taylor Thompson and returned 34 yards to the Panther 35.  Four runs later and the Trojans were down at the 2 yard line, but they fumbled into the endzone on the next play resulting in a touchback and thwarting a potential fourth touchdown.  Thompson made another interception from his knees on a great play on a tipped pass on the next possession, but a fumble on the very next scrimmage play gave the ball back to the Panthers.  However, they were stopped on fourth down at the Trojan 26 trying to score one final time.  After running clock late in the fourth quarter, a 55 yard non-returnable punt by Brewer in the last minute of the game prevented Elmore County from another scoring threat, and St. James claimed their second straight home victory of the season, mostly on the legs, and the legs (running and punting) of Brewer, who gained 182 yards on the ground.

GAME THREE SIDELINE STATISTICS:

ST. JAMES      RUSHING   41 attempts  261 yards  2 TDs  (6.37 yards per carry)

                        42   Brewer       22 / 182  (2 TDs)     30   Ward               6 / 37
                        10   Gantt          10 /  24                   34   Thrasher          3 / 18

                        PASSING      6 completions  8 attempts  0 INTs  48 yards   1 TD  (3 sacks of, - 23 yards)

                        10   Gantt          6 - 8 - 0   48 yards  1 TD   (3 sacks, - 23)

                        RECEIVING

                          3   Nelson         3 / 34  (1 TD)        30   Ward               1 / 19
                          6   Roberts        1 / - 2                     2    Thompson       1 / - 3

                        TOTAL YARDS:   309

                        KICKS:  XP:  3 / 3               FG:  0 / 0
                        2 POINT CONVERSIONS:  0 / 0
                        KICKOFFS:  4  (51,58,57,OB)              PUNTS:  4  (38,34,47,55)
                        KO RETURNS:  2  (0fc, 0fc)                PUNT RETURNS:  0
                        INTERCEPTION RETURNS:  2  (34,0)
                        FIRST DOWNS:   16   (11 rushing, 4 passing, 1 penalty)
                        FUMBLES:  2, lost 2
                        TURNOVER MARGIN:   + 2
                        PENALTIES:  9 / 80 yards
                        TIME OF POSSESSION:  24:19

ELMORE CO.  RUSHING   36 attempts  162 yards  0 TDs      (4.50 yards per carry)
                        PASSING      8 completions  25 attempts  3 INTs   84 yards  1 TD   (no sacks of)
                        TOTAL YARDS:  246

                        KICKS:  XP  1 / 1                FG  0 / 0
                        2 POINT CONVERSIONS:  0 / 0
                        KICKOFFS:  2 (24,30)                           PUNTS:  4  (26,36,28,22)
                        KO RETURNS:  3  (41,19,34)                PUNT RETURNS:  1 (0fc)
                        FIRST DOWNS:  17   (9 rushing, 5 passing, 3 penalty)
                        FUMBLES:  1, lost 1
                        PENALTIES:  6 / 37 yards
                        TIME OF POSSESSION:  23:41