2017 - GAME 12

@ Andalusia 30, Saint James 8
 STJ         0       0       8       0          8
 
AND        6       3       7     14        30
SCORING SUMMARY:

AND  (1)     0:40   Wilson 11 run                                      (kick blocked)       6 - 0
AND  (2)     0:19   Burkhardt 24 FG                                                               9 - 0
AND  (3)   10:34   Weaver 9 run                                  (Burkhardt kick)     16 - 0
 STJ   (3)     1:17   Garnett 2 run                                     (Amerson run)     16 - 8
AND  (4)   10:35   Anderson 40 pass from Wilson     (Burkhardt kick)     23 - 8
AND  (4)     5:26   Weaver 55 run                                (Burkhardt kick)     30 - 8

November 17, 2017.  Andalusia Stadium.   Game Conditions:   Partly cloudy   Game Temperature:  64   Wind  Light, variable

Saint James held powerful Andalusia to single digit first half scoring, but several big plays gave Andalusia the second half push they needed to advance to the third round of the 4A state playoffs as the homestanding Bulldogs defeated the Trojans 30 - 8 to end the Saint James 2017 season.

The Trojans drove down the field on the opening possession, picking up a pair of first downs primarily on the legs of Tony Amerson.  However, the Bulldog defense stiffened as Saint James was stopped a yard short on fourth and 3 from the Andalusia 30.  The Bulldog combo of quarterback Ethan Wilson and running back Roosevelt Weaver, who eventually ran for over 200 yards before games' end, quickly changed the field as four runs advanced the ball to the Trojan 39.  However, an underthrown Wilson pass was intercepted by T.R. Robertson just short of the goal line two plays later.  Saint James had stopped the drive, but found themselves pinned at their own 1 yard line.  After a short gain was erased by a delay of game penalty, Amerson broke loose for his longest carry of the evening, a 40 yarder, which gave the Trojans breathing room.  However, several plays later, after a pair of penalties, the Bulldogs recovered a fumble and were in business at the Trojan 43.  This time Andalusia would not be denied.  After committing their own holding penalty, Wilson connected with his favorite receiver Bridges Anderson for a catch and run of 38 yards down to the Trojan 11.  On the next play, Wilson called his own number off left end and scampered in for the first score of the game.  The extra point attempt was blocked, but the Bulldogs had a 6 - 0 lead late in the first quarter.

The teams traded punts on consecutive drives, and later Saint James was stopped for no gain on a fourth down from just short of midfield   As time was running out in the half, Andalusia moved down the field and had a first down at the Trojan 9.  Saint James held Andalusia to 2 yards on 3 plays, and Ellis Burkhardt was called on to attempt a 24 yard field goal, which he converted, and Andalusia had a slim 9 - 0 lead going into halftime.  Collin Duncan and Amerson each converted first down runs when the Trojans regained possession, but there was not nearly enough time for Saint James to mount a final first half drive.

The Bulldogs took the opening possession of the second half .  A personal foul on the kickoff return gave Andalusia great field position at midfield, and they took full advantage.  Weaver broke through a hole in the middle of the line created by the Bulldog blockers for 44 yards on the first play.  A penalty halted momentum, but Weaver carried two more times for 2 and 9 yards respectively, and the Bulldogs were in the endzone.  Burkhardt connected on this extra point, and the Andalusia lead was up to 16, but the game remained a two possession margin with still nearly a complete half remaining.

Saint James then embarked on one of their more (if not the most) impressive drives of the season, a 19 play 74 yarder which consumed over 9 minutes of the third quarter.  A Bulldog personal foul penalty on third and 15 helped offset two Trojan penalties.  Amerson followed up with a 13 yard carry and a 12 yard catch and run for first downs.  His third down carry of 5 yards with 4 yards to go gave Saint James a first down at the Bulldog 15, and later a 9 yard carry pushed the ball down to the 2.  Several plays later, Josh Garnett called his own number on a sneak off right guard and Saint James was finally on the scoreboard.  Being down by 10, and realizing touchdowns would be at a premium in this game, Coach Perry called for a two point conversion and Amerson powered in bringing the Trojans to within one possession, down 16 - 8 with still over 13 minutes remaining in the game.

Andalusia responded with a methodical drive of their own, concluding with a post pattern to a wide open Bridges Anderson for a 40 yard touchdown reception on the fourth play of the fourth quarter.  Burkhardt converted the extra point, and the game was back to a two possession margin at 23 - 8. 

The Trojans were stopped on a three and out on their next possession, and the Bulldogs wrapped up the playoff victory with a 6 play 74 yard drive - the last 55 compliments of Roosevelt Weaver who burst through for his longest carry of the night, a 55 yard touchdown romp.  The extra point led to the final margin of victory at 30 - 8.  The Trojans threatened on their last drive after a 38 yard Garnett pass and Robertson scamper, but on the next play a desperation pass was intercepted in the endzone, which allowed Andalusia to run out the remaining clock time after a few first downs.  Saint James ended their season with 8 wins, after a 1 and 3 start, and shattered the old season scoring record by over 60 points, recording a healthy 440, as they prepared to turn in gear and the non-seniors would look forward to the 2018 season only nine months away.

SIDELINE STATISTICS - GAME TWELVE

 SAINT JAMES    RUSHING   37 attempts   165 yards   1 TD   (4.46 yards per carry)

                               21   Amerson             23 / 124         5   Duncan             4 / 28       12   Robertson        2 / 11
                               23   S. Sadie                 3 /    1          9   Yergensen         1 /  1        14   Garnett            4 /   0  (1 TD)

                              PASSING   6 completions  12 attempts  1 INT  60 yards  0 TDs

                              14   Garnett             6 - 12 - 1       60 yards

                              RECEIVING

                              12   Robertson              3 / 38          21   Amerson         1 / 12          9   Yergensen         1 / 7
                              43   Crow                      1 /  3

                              TOTAL YARDS:  225

                              KICKS:      XP  0 / 0      FG   0 / 0
                              2 POINT CONVERSIONS:  1 / 1
                              KICKOFFS:   2  (51.48)                                PUNTS:  2  (44,41)
                              KO RETURNS:  6  (26,16,0fc,0fc,21,11)     PUNT RETURNS:   1  (0fc)
                              FIRST DOWNS:   13   (10 rushing, 2 passing, 1 penalty)
                              THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS:   3 / 8
                              FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS:  0 / 2
                              FUMBLES:  1, lost 1
                              TURNOVER MARGIN:   - 1
                              INTERCEPTION RETURNS:  1  (0)
                              POINTS OFF TURNOVERS:  0
                              ACCEPTED PENALTIES:   6 / 42
                              TIME OF POSSESSION:  25:43

ANDALUSIA       RUSHING    45 attempts   335 yards  3 TDs  (7.44 yards per carry)
                              PASSING       2 completions  5 attempts  78 yards  1 INT  1 TD
                              TOTAL YARDS:  413

                              KICKS:      XP  3 / 4      FG   1 / 1   (24 made)
                              2 POINT CONVERSIONS:  0 / 0
                              KICKOFFS:  6  (52,45,28,34,53,33)              PUNTS:  1  (35)
                              KO RETURNS:  2  (26,18)                            PUNT RETURNS:  0
                              FIRST DOWNS:  18  (16 rushing, 2 passing)
                              THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS:   4 / 8
                              FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS:  0 / 0
                              FUMBLES:  1. lost 0
                              INTERCEPTION RETURNS:  1  (0)
                              POINTS OFF TURNOVERS:  6
                              ACCEPTED PENALTIES:  8 / 79 yards
                              TIME OF POSSESSION:  22:17

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