2022 -
GAME 6
@ Charles Henderson 26, Saint James
14
STJ 7 7 0 0 14
C H 7 7 6 6 26
THURSDAY September 22, 2022 Veterans Memorial Stadium, Troy Game Conditions: Partly-mostly cloudy Game Temperature: 83 Wind: N 15 MPH
A Saint James team, undoubtedly weakened by the flu bug earlier in the week, fought valiantly in the first half but turned the ball over four times in the second half and could not take advantage of a key break they received as the Charles Henderson Trojans were victorious 26 - 14 in a meeting at The Vet in Troy.
SCORING SUMMARY
STJ (1) 7:06 Jackson 1 run (Huff kick) 7 - 0
C H (1) 3:55 Coleman 16 run (Peerson kick) 7 - 7
C H (2) 9:00 Adams 14 run (Peerson kick) 7 - 14
STJ (2) 0:03 Holloway 19 pass from Jackson (Huff kick) 14 - 14
C H (3) 5:10 Adams 7 run (kick failed) 14 - 20
C H (4) 9:45 Boyd 45 punt return (kick failed) 14 - 26
Saint James, as has been the case all season, possessed the ball on the first drive of the game and methodically plowed down the field on an 85 yard drive which culminated in a touchdown. After a short kickoff return, K.J. Jackson attempted passes on his first four plays, with three completions. A 16 yard reception by Ethan Beard and a 25 yarder by Clint Houser moved the ball to the Charles Henderson 36. From there, Cosner Harrison and Jackson carried the remainder of the way. Harrison rushed six consecutive times down to the 4 yard line, and Jackson converted a fourth down and 3 on the next play by inches. Jackson kept on the next play for the final yard to conclude a 12 play drive. Jake Huff's extra point gave Saint James a 7 - 0 lead midway through the first quarter.
Charles Henderson responded with a drive of their own. Despite a roughing the holder (yes) penalty after the extra point, Stephon Mosely returned the kickoff just across midfield resulting in a short field. Running back Antonio Frazier and quarterback Parker Adams marched down the field most of the way, but the final 16 yards were collected by Zach Coleman on his first carry of the night. Nik Peerson's extra point tied the score at seven with just under four minutes remaining in the opening quarter.
Saint James converted one first down, but then punt. Braxton Berry changed the field as his punt went from 25 to 25 courtesy of a nice Veterans Memorial Stadium turf bounce and roll. However, Charles Henderson would drive 75 yards in 11 plays to take their first lead. A 31 yard pass from Adams to Mosely from midfield was the biggest chunk play, and then Adams called his own number for a 14 yard scramble and touchdown on the home sidelines. Peerson's extra point gave Charles Henderson a 14 - 7 lead three minutes into the second quarter.
Ziggy Holloway was one tackle away from breaking a 97 yard touchdown return on the ensuing kickoff, but was forced out of bounds at the Charles Henderson 44. Holloway would later catch a 15 yard pass to convert one first down, but the drive stalled and Jake Huff was called in to attempt a 49 yard field goal. A penalty pushed the ball back to what would become a school record 54 yard field goal attempt. Perhaps the kick was long enough, but it tailed wide right and Charles Henderson had a chance to take a double digit lead into halftime. Saint James held, however, on a three and out and took over at their own 34 yard line with just over three minutes remaining until halftime. With Charles Henderson receiving the ball to start the third quarter, it seemed extra imperative Saint James would need points before halftime. And dramatically, they earned them. Jackson completed double digit yardage passes to Holloway, Riley Britton, and Beard, moving the ball down to the 19 yard line with 14 seconds to go. After an incomplete pass, Jackson found Holloway in the endzone and threaded the pass beautifully through a potential defender's arms for a 19 yard touchdown. Huff tied the score at 14 with his kick going into halftime.
Saint James, fresh off the late first half score, got a huge break as an Adams pass was tipped and intercepted by Caden Anderson at the Charles Henderson 36 on the second play of the second half. Harrison picked up exactly 10 yards on first down, and Jackson would later convert a fourth down play with a four yard run to the Charles Henderson 13. Harrison picked up 6 on first down, and Jackson was lucky to recover a fumbled snap on second down. However, he was not so lucky on third down. While looking to find a receiver in the endzone, the ball was knocked away from Jackson and picked up by Mosely who returned it out to the 27 yard line, and a personal foul penalty left Charles Henderson with good field position on their own 42 and Saint James wondering what if as they had wasted a true gift opportunity.
Mosely would later catch a 19 yard pass from Adams on a crucial third down and 7 which moved the ball down to Saint James 7. On the next play, Adams went virtually untouched into the endzone giving Charles Henderson a lead they would not relinquish. Peerson's extra point hit the upright on a narrower (college width) goalpost, so the lead was only 6. Scaringly impressive was that Peerson drilled the exact same goalpost in almost the exact same spot on the ensuing kickoff, resulting in a touchback.
However, Saint James was immediately in business as Jackson tossed a nearly sideways pass to Beard who raced down the sidelines, and then veered up the middle for what would become a 45 yard gain deep into Charles Henderson territory. Two Harrison runs netted seven yards, but on third down Jackson threw his first interception of the season, nearly 23 full quarters worth, to Mario Davenport who pulled in the interception at the 5 yard line, thwarting another Saint James scoring opportunity.
Charles Henderson picked up two first downs, but was forced to punt on the opening play of the fourth quarter. A false start penalty slowed any potential Saint James progress, and they punted back. However, this punt was short and fielded by Jywon Boyd at the 45 yard line. He was to the Saint James 30 before any visiting Trojan could reach him, but his speed and momentum carried him into the endzone with a 45 yard punt return touchdown, the first such since Geneva did so in 2020. Charles Henderson decided against going for a two point conversion, but the extra point was wide. Nevertheless, the lead, which would be the final outcome, was now 12 points at 26 - 14.
After yet another endzone kickoff, Saint James was in desperation mode. Riley Britton caught a 29 yard pass, and Beard added a 17 yarder later to advance the ball down to the Charles Henderson 34. However, two plays later, Jackson tossed his third interception, this one snagged by Damien Hart, allowing Charles Henderson to run out the clock and secure a home victory on their Senior Night.
Saint James now looks forward to its two biggest region games of the season in back-to-back weeks, a visit by Alabama Christian, and a visit to Trinity, to try and capture a ninth consecutive playoff berth.
GAME STATISTICS GAME SIX
SAINT JAMES RUSHING 31 attempts 77 yards 1 TD (2.48 yards per carry)
5
Harrison
19 / 69
1
Jackson 11 /
5 (1 TD) 21
Anderson 1 / 3
PASSING
13 completions 26 attempts 3 INTs 221
yards 1 TD
1 Jackson
13 - 26 - 3
221 yards 1 TD
RECEIVING
2
Beard
5 / 97 9
Britton
3 / 53
6 Holloway 3 /
46 (1 TD)
7
Houser
1 / 25
21 Anderson 1 /
0
TOTAL
YARDS: 298
KICKS: XP 2 / 2
FG 0 / 1 (54 missed)
2
POINT CONVERSIONS: 0 / 0
KICKOFFS: 3
(47,32,50)
PUNTS: 2 (50,28)
KO RETURNS: 2 (13,53)
PUNT
RETURNS: 0
FIRST
DOWNS: 15 (7 rushing, 8 passing)
THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS: 2 / 10
FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS: 3 / 4
FUMBLES: 2,
lost 1
INTERCEPTION RETURNS: 1 (0)
TURNOVER
MARGIN: - 3
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS: 0
ACCEPTED PENALTIES: 5 / 35
TIME
OF POSSESSION: 27:38
C HENDERSON
RUSHING 24 attempts 169 yards
3 TDs (7.04 yards per carry)
PASSING
8 completions 14 attempts 1 INT 104
yards
TOTAL
YARDS: 273
2 POINT CONVERSIONS: 0 / 0
KICKOFFS: 5 (58,EZ,57,EZ,EZ) PUNTS: 2 (41,30EZ)
KO RETURNS: 3 (38,0,15) PUNT RETURNS: 1 (45TD)
FIRST DOWNS: 13 (10 rushing, 3 passing)
THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS: 6 / 9
FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS: 0 / 0
FUMBLES: 1, lost 0
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS: 6
ACCEPTED PENALTIES: 5 / 31 yards
TIME OF POSSESSION: 20:22