2015 - GAME 11

@ Montevallo 21, Saint James 7  
   STJ           0        0        0        7           7
 
  MON         7        7        0        7         21


SCORING SUMMARY:

MON  (1)  10:01   Mack 19 run                               (Martinez kick)       7 - 0
MON  (2)  11:43   Edwards 25 pass from Oden     (Martinez kick)     14 - 0
MON  (4)  11:11   Smith 19 pass from Oden          (Martinez kick)     21 - 0
  STJ   (4)   6:49   Oswalt 12 pass from Collier           (Taylor kick)     21 - 7

Thursday, November 5, 2015.   Theron Fisher Stadium.  Game Conditions:  Increasing clouds, warm  Game Temperature:  76  Wind:  none
 

Saint James tried to shake off some uncharacteristic early lackluster play, but the speed and size of first time opponent Montevallo was enough to keep the Trojans at bay until a too little too late comeback attempt as the Bulldogs advanced to the second round of the 4A State Playoffs with a 21 - 7 home victory.

For one of the rare times this season, Saint James did not claim the opening possession as Montevallo won the coin toss and elected to receive.  It took the Bulldogs only five plays to traverse a 68 yard field for a touchdown.  Quarterback Zac Oden completed passes of 17 and 12 yards to who appeared to be his favorite receiver, Jamal Figueroa, a 15 yard deflected pass right into the hands of Ahmad Edwards, and carries of 5 amd 19 yards by Kerry Mack, the second for the score, gave Montevallo a lead less than two minutes into the game.  Diego Martinez kicked the extra point to give the Dawgs a 7 - 0 lead.

Blake Underwood, wearing number 22 for the first time all season, returned the kickoff back to the 34 yard line, and three consecutive Underwood runs netted 12 yards and a Trojan first down.  Unfortunately, that would be one of the few first half first downs for Saint James.  Four plays later, Saint James punted and pinned the Dawgs back at their own 9 yard line.  Montevallo got out of a big hole on third down with a 23 yard pass to Cortez Williams, one of six different Dawg receivers on the evening.  However, the Trojan defense stiffened and forced a Montevallo punt of their own.  After a three and out by Saint James, the Dawgs took over on their own 22.  Mack carried for 31 yards on the second play of the drive, and on the next play a 31 yard catch and run was negated by a holding penalty.  Nevertheless, a second down and 20 was converted on a 24 yard pass to Blake Smith.  On the final play of the first quarter, Zac was sacked, leaving Montevallo with a third and 20 from the Trojan 40.  Williams picked up 15 of those on a third down reception, and on fourth down a nice pass was lifted from Oden to Edwards for a touchdown.  The Martinez kick doubled the lead to 14 very early in the second quarter.

Wes Charry caught a Collier pass for a first down on the next Trojan drive, but it too stalled after reaching midfield.  A nice punt return was chopped up by a block in the back penalty, and again Montevallo was pinned deep.  The Trojans finally held for a three and out, and a short punt gave them their best starting field position yet at the 45 yard line.  A holding penalty forced Saint James into a second down and long situation, and a long pass down the middle intended for Cherry was niftily timed and read and intercepted by Edwards at the Montevallo 41 yard line, the first turnover of the evening.  Despite picking up one first down, another punt was forced and this one was shanked out of bounds at the Saint James 25.  The Trojans got into Montevallo territory, but turned the ball over on downs when Collier slipped on fourth down to the ground while attempting a long pass.  The Dawgs picked up 23 yards on a pass on the final play of the half, but it was well short of the goal line.

As ordinarily as Saint James had played in the first half, they were only two touchdowns down and would receive the kickoff to start the second half.  An out of bounds kickoff and two quick runs by Underwood gave Saint James some momentum.  However, a holding penalty on a sizable gain by Collier numbed the possession.  On third and long, Collier attempted a screen pass but the ball was tipped and intercepted by Mack at the Dawg 41.  The improving Trojan defense held again, and an illegal procedure penalty prevented what would have likely been a blocked punt.  When the punt got away, it only traveled to the Trojan 30, and once again Saint James had a chance to cut into the lead.  On the second play of the drive, a retaliation personal foul penalty was called, leading to yet another unfulfilled drive.  The teams traded punts yet again, with Montevallo taking over in a stalemated game at their own 48 with over two minutes remaining in the third quarter.  Caleb Cottingham caught a key 24 yard pass on third and long to extend the drive, and on the second play of the final quarter Oden found Smith open down the far sidelines for a 19 yard touchdown pass.  Martinez' kick seemed to seal the deal at 21 - 0 with just over 11 minutes remaining.

After an endzone kickoff, the Trojans for the first time all game finally showed some sustained spark and creativity in their offense.  Consecutive runs by Underwood led to first downs, and a few plays later a pass interference penalty moved the ball into the Dawg red zone for the first time.  From the 12 yard line, Collier found a wide open Caton Oswalt standing just inside the goal line for a Trojan touchdown.  Holder Matt Garnett straightened a sloppy slap for McKay Taylor to convert the extra point, and for the first time all night the Trojans had a legitimate cheer as the score was cut to 21 - 7 with still nearly seven minutes remaining.

A pooch kickoff was attempted, but it was just far enough to get back to the returner Smith who took it all the way to the Dawg 42.  A face mask penalty gave Montevallo a free 15 yards, but the Trojans held on fourth down and 1 on the Saint James 35 to regain possession.  Several plays Collier burst loose on a 25 yard run down to the Dawg 34, but two plays later Collier attempted an endzone pass for a quick score.  However, the ball had become wet due to a quickly moistening field and wobbled out of his hands into those of Adam Dowdell, Montevallo cornerback, at the 3 yard line and the end was near.  The Trojans were almost presented with an immediate opportunity as Mack fumbled a handoff, but somehow he picked up the loose ball and managed to scamper 24 yards for a killer clinching first down.  Several long runs and a personal foul penalty moved the ball deep into Trojan territory, but with the clock running out and Saint James without time outs, the Dawgs merely victory formationed their way into the victory column and a trip to Leeds in the second round of the playoffs.  The Trojans ended their season at 6 - 5, although with yet another first round playoff loss, their sixth such, and seventh playoff loss in a row.

SIDELINE STATISTICS - GAME ELEVEN

SAINT JAMES    RUSHING   29 attempts   110 yards   0 TDs   (3.79 yards per carry)

                              22   Underwood          19 / 91        21   Amerson        3 / 13       8   Villageois          1 / 6
                              15   Hubbard                 1 /   3        12   Collier           6 / - 3

                              PASSING     12 completions  25 attempts  3 INTs  99 yards

                              12   Collier                  12 - 25 - 3   99 yards

                              RECEIVING

                              16   Cherry                   3 / 36         82   Oswalt           2 / 19  (1 TD)    10   Dean               3 / 17
                              23   Sadie                     2 / 14           8   Villageois       1 /  8                  22   Underwood     1 / 5

                              TOTAL YARDS:  209

                              KICKS:      XP  1 / 1      FG   0 / 0
                              2 POINT CONVERSIONS:  0 / 0
                              KICKOFFS:  2  (42,36)                               PUNTS:  5  (38,38,42,38,27)
                              KO RETURNS:  2  (16,11)                         PUNT RETURNS:   1  (0fc)
                              FIRST DOWNS:   11   (7 rushing, 3 passing, 1 penalty)
                              THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS:  6 / 14  
                              FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS:  1 / 2
                              FUMBLES:  0
                              TURNOVER MARGIN:  - 3
                              POINTS OFF TURNOVERS:  0
                              ACCEPTED PENALTIES:   7 / 82 yards
                              TIME OF POSSESSION:  23:33

MONTEVALLO   RUSHING    39 attempts  188 yards  1 TD  (4.82 yards per carry / 2  Mack  16 / 137)
                              PASSING     14 completions  21 attempts  0 INTs   214 yards  2 TDs
                              TOTAL YARDS:  402

                              KICKS:      XP  3 / 3      FG   0 / 0
                              2 POINT CONVERSIONS:  0 / 0
                              KICKOFFS:  4  (42,36,OB,EZ)                  PUNTS:  5  (30,37,14,11,34)
                              KO RETURNS:  2  (14,18)                         PUNT RETURNS:  1  (11)
                              FIRST DOWNS:  16  (6 rushing, 9 passing, 1 penalty)
                              THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS:   5 / 12
                              FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS:  1 / 2
                              FUMBLES:  1, lost 0
                              INTERCEPTION RETURNS:  3  (0,0,0)
                              POINTS OFF TURNOVERS:  0
                              ACCEPTED PENALTIES:  8 / 62 yards
                              TIME OF POSSESSION:  24:27

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