2020 - GAME 2

  SAINT JAMES 31, @ Reeltown 20 
 
STJ          0     14     10       7          31

REE         6       0       0     14          20
SCORING SUMMARY

REE  (1)   4:35    Lee 78 pass from Bryant                                      (pass failed)     0 -   6
STJ   (2)  10:58   Beard 42 pass from Jackson                     (H. Harrison kick)     7 -   6
STJ   (2)    7:26   Russell 50 pass from Jackson                   (H. Harrison kick)   14 -   6
STJ   (3)    8:23   H. Harrison 34 FG                                                                       17 -   6
STJ   (3)    1:47   Beard 71 pass from Jackson                     (H. Harrison kick)   24 -   6
STJ   (4)    8:31   C. Harrison 8 run                                      (H. Harrison kick)   31 -   6
REE  (4)   4:26   Hughley 8 run                                                    (Hughley run)   31 - 14
REE  (4)   0:00   Brown 65 pass from Bryant                                (no attempt)   31 - 20
August 28, 2020    Nix-Webster-O'Neal Stadium    Game Conditions:  Cloudy, muggy, torrential rain 2 hours before game time    Game temperature:  82   Wind:  negligible


Saint James shook off their opening game offensive doldrums as freshman quarterback K.J. Jackson threw for three long touchdown passes and over 200 yards - the first such accomplishment in the Jimmy Perry coaching era - and Cosner Harrison ran for well over 100 yards himself as the Trojans traveled to Reeltown, scored 31 unanswered points after a quick strike touchdown by the Rebels in the first quarter, and earned a 31 - 20 road win for its first victory of the season.

The Trojans won the coin toss and elected to defer.  The decision appeared to be sound as the Rebels were stopped on three and out on their opening possession, while Saint James did something on its opening drive it could not do the previous week, convert two first downs on an 11 yard reception by Dalton Washington and a 16 yard run by Cosner Harrison.  Saint James had a fourth down and 8 on the Rebel 30, and Zac Russell made a diving catch on a fourth down pass but it only gained 7 yards, and Reeltown took over.  A holding penalty pushed the Rebels deeper into their own territory, but two plays later Gabe Bryant witnessed a quarterback's dream - two receivers had run past the entire Saint James secondary.  Bryant chose his friendly sideline option of Logan Lee, who caught the long pass and jaunted 78 yards into the endzone for the first score of the game.  A two point pass attempt was complete but out of the endzone, so Reeltown settled for a 6 - 0 lead.  They would not threaten to score again soon.

Harrison picked up a first down in Rebel territory, but Saint James could not convert another.  Braxton Berry, punting to replace the injured Cooper Wright who had a stellar kicking game the previous week, pinned the Rebels at their own 2 yard line.  After one first down, a short punt gave the Trojans great field position at the Reeltown 42.  On first down, Ethan Beard tore down the center of the field and outraced coverage after a perfectly thrown pass by freshman K.J. Jackson connected for the first Saint James score of the season in their sixth quarter of play.  Holt Harrison commenced his perfect night of conversions with an extra point, and the Trojans had their first lead of the season at 7 - 6 early in the second quarter.

Reeltown then drove as far as the Trojan 35, but an errant pass was picked off by Adam Garnett who returned the ball into Rebel territory.  Two plays later, Jackson connected with Zac Russell on a slant pass and Russell zigged past two defenders and raced 50 yards for a second Saint James catch and run touchdown.  Harrison's extra point gave Saint James a 14 - 6 lead midway into the second quarter.

The Rebels once again drove into Trojan territory, but a botched handoff was recovered on the ground by Trojan Clayton Craft at the 39 yard line.  Saint James picked up several first downs, but could only run off most of the remaining first half clock and were content to take the 8 point lead into halftime.

A short kickoff was returned by Trojan Malik Melton to start the second half, and Saint James drove as far as the Reeltown 14 before a penalty, one of 11 committed by the Trojans, stalled the drive.  Harrison came in and converted a 34 yard field goal to boost the Saint James lead to 11 at 17 - 6.  Reeltown earned one first down after the kickoff, but was forced to punt.  Saint James started at their own 25 yard line.  A long 62 yard run by Cosner Harrison was for the most part erased by a block in the back penalty, and another block in the back several plays later forced the Trojans further backwards.  On third down from the Saint James 29, Beard was called on again.  This time he did not outrace the coverage, but Beard caught the Jackson toss and darted through and around several defenders on his way to a 71 yard catch and run touchdown, the third long touchdown reception of the night.  Holt Harrison's extra point gave Saint James a 24 - 6 lead with under two minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Reeltown failed to convert a fourth and 8 from the Trojan 35 as the third quarter clock wound down.  Cosner Harrison would rush on each of the next 8 plays, including a key 38 yard run mid-drive to convert a third down.  His final carry was for 8 yards as he just snuck inside the endzone by the near pylon for his first touchdown of the season.  Harrison's extra point virtually sealed the game at 31 - 6 with 8½ minutes remaining.

The Rebels would drive 71 yards on their next drive against defensive reserves, and overcame an offensive pass interference penalty along the way.  Dakarian Hughley scored on his own 8 yard touchdown after a time out and a hurry up snap caught the Trojans napping.  He would also score on a hard-earned two point conversion run to cut the lead to 31 - 14 with only four minutes remaining.

Saint James picked up several first downs after recovering a failed onside kick attempt, mainly on the legs of backup running back Clint Houser, but had to punt with just over 5 seconds remaining.  A desperation last play pass was thrown into coverage, but Johnny Brown wrestled the ball away from a smaller Trojan defender and padded stats with a 65 yard touchdown of his own, closing the gap to 31 - 20 as no extra point was attempted to conclude the game.

The Trojans evened their record at 1 - 1 and were scheduled to play Alabama Christian at home to start the 4A Region 2 matchups.  However, due to a COVID-19 incident, Alabama Christian was unable to fulfill its obligation to play, and the game was rescheduled for later in the year, giving the Trojans an unexpected early season off week before a Senior Night celebration the following week, also at home, against Bullock County.

SIDELINE STATISTICS - GAME TWO

SAINT JAMES    RUSHING  41 attempts   175 yards   1 TD   (4.27 yards per carry)

                                5   Harrison              34 / 168             7   Houser             4 /   12
                              23   Craft                      1 /    0              1   Jackson            2 /   - 5

                              PASSING      7 completions  13 attempts  0 INTs  212 yards  3 TDs

                                1   Jackson               7 - 13 - 0        212 yards      3 TDs

                              RECEIVING

                                3   Russell                 3 / 91  (1 TD)   2   Beard               2 / 113  (2 TDs)
                              10   Washington          1 / 11                4   Taylor              1 /  - 3

                              TOTAL YARDS:  387

                              KICKS:      XP  4 / 4      FG   1 / 1  (34 made)
                              2 POINT CONVERSIONS:  0 / 0
                              KICKOFFS:  6  (49,2,38,37,23,31)                 PUNTS:  3  (44,25,22)
                              KO RETURNS:  3 (36,6,0)                             PUNT RETURNS:  2  (0fc,0fc)
                              FIRST DOWNS:   14  (9 rushing, 4 passing, 1 penalty)
                              THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS:   10 / 15
                              FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS:  0 / 1
                              FUMBLES:  0
                              FUMBLE RETURNS:  1  (0)
                              INTERCEPTION RETURNS:  1 (19)
                              TURNOVER MARGIN:  + 2
                              POINTS OFF TURNOVERS:  7
                              ACCEPTED PENALTIES:   11 / 79 yards
                              TIME OF POSSESSION:  27:47

REELTOWN        RUSHING    34 attempts  149 yards  1 TD  (4.38 yards per carry)
                              PASSING       7 completions  16 attempts  1 INT   204 yards  2 TDs
                              TOTAL YARDS:  353

                              KICKS:      XP  0 / 0      FG   0 / 0
                              2 POINT CONVERSIONS:  1 / 2
                              KICKOFFS:  4  (52,12,23,12)                        PUNTS:  3  (30,32,29)
                              KO RETURNS:  4  (17,6,0,0)                        PUNT RETURNS:  0
                              FIRST DOWNS:  13  (9 rushing, 3 passing, 1 penalty)
                              THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS:  4 / 8
                              FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS:  0 / 1
                              POINTS OFF TURNOVERS:  0
                              FUMBLES:  2, lost 1
                              ACCEPTED PENALTIES:  6 / 55 yards
                              TIME OF POSSESSION:  20:13

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