GAME 10: ST. JAMES 21, Alabama Christian 18

ACA 6 0 6 6 18

STJ 14 7 0 0 21

SCORING SUMMARY:

STJ (1) ----- Godwin 32 pass from Rudd (Adams kick)    7 - 0
STJ (1) 6:48 Ponder 85 pass from Rudd    (Adams kick)    14 - 0
ACA (1) ----- Yates 58 pass from Best     (run failed)    14 - 6
STJ (2) ----- Lyon 8 run (Adams kick)    21 - 6
ACA (3) ----- Best 71 run    (run failed)    21 - 12
ACA (4) ----- Newton 10 pass from Best (kick blocked)    21 - 18

November 7, 1980. Catholic Field.

In a game billed by the local (and beyond) media as the game between "perhaps the two worst high school football teams in the state of Alabama", but which drew a lot of attention by a lot of press nevertheless, 0 - 9 St. James hosted 0 - 9 Alabama Christian. The Trojans avoided its first ever varsity winless season as two first quarter touchdown passes gave them their first lead of the year, and they held on despite failing to score in the second half to defeat the visiting Eagles. David Rudd's first quarter pass to Eric Ponder was, and still is, the longest touchdown pass in Trojan history, breaking his previous mark set earlier in the season.

However, Eagle quarterback Joel Best almost singlehandedly ran and passed Alabama Christian back into the ball game. The Trojans were rewarded by Gary Adams attempting and converting all three of the extra points after touchdowns. Unfortunately for the Eagles, repeated failure to convert two point conversions early proved costly as they matched St. James on number of touchdowns. Alabama Christian was driving for either a tying field goal attempt or perhaps a fourth and winning touchdown when Glenn Godwin intercepted a Best pass at the Trojan 22 with 47 seconds remaining in the game, and the Trojans ended a generally miserable season on a somewhat happy note, realizing the team across the field had a zero in their season ledger.