GAME 10:   Calera 35, St. James 0

October 30, 1987   Collier Field.   Game Conditions:   Clear.  Game temperature 56.  Winds light.

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The Calera Eagles eliminated any doubt over who was the power of 2A Area 7 in 1987 as they swept through the area undefeated on the way to a 9 - 1 regular season by "Smithly" defeating the undermanned Trojans in their final game 35 - 0.

Despite being stopped on their first drive, the Trojans appeared to have some momentum after stopping the Eagle punt returner deep in his own territory after a negative punt return.  However, it took Calera only four plays to get into Trojan territory, and then Chris Smith tossed his first of two touchdown passes, a 49 yarder to Ted Davis.   The extra point attempt failed, but Calera had an early 6 - 0 lead.

Apparently Calera felt threatened by the St. James return game, as they attempted several squib kickoffs which were fallen on by Trojan upmen.  However, after recovering one such kick at the Trojan 36, St. James could not convert a first down and a punt was returned 17 yards to the Trojan 44.  Calera absolutely duplicated their previous touchdown play, with the same results.  This time Ray Ross was the recipient, as he was on an ensuing two point conversion, and the Eagles were up 14 - 0 only halfway into the first quarter.

The Trojans managed their first first down after the next short kickoff, but Calera intercepted a pass at the Eagle 24 yard line to thwart a Trojan threat.  Only two plays later, after a 27 yard run and a 49 yard run by Johnny Smith, Calera was in the endzone again.  This time, John Gilliam's kick was good and the Eagles were up 21 - 0 with still time remaining in the first quarter.

St. James again was stopped after converting only one first down, but the Trojans then stopped Calera at the Trojan 32 on downs.  Four plays later, however, a St. James punt was blocked out of bounds to the Trojan 18, and one play later Lee Smith was the latest Smith to get involved in scoring activity as he ran in virtually untouched from eighteen yards out.  Gilliam's kick gave Calera a comfortable 28 - 0 lead before halftime.

The Trojans' lone kickoff, a short one as well, was returned to the Eagle 42 yard line.  After picking up 43 yards on first down, Calera scored five plays later on a five yard run by yet another Smith, Chas.  Gilliam's kick gave Calera a 35 - 0 lead, and while St. James was struggling to find enough healthy bodies to have a team of eleven on the field, Calera pulled all of its starters and sent in fresh legs.

Calera returned a St. James punt to the Trojan 43, and drove as deep as the 18, but a sack on fourth down ended the drive.  St. James had its best drive of the game next, eleven plays worth, but a costly penalty led to a fourth down and seven on which the quarterback was sacked, turning over the ball again.

After stopping Calera, thanks in part to an 11 yard sack and a major offensive penalty, the Trojans took over on their own 47 for what would be their final drive of the year.  Pat Allen completed his longest two passes of the night, and St. James had first and goal on the Calera 8.  After an incomplete pass, a loss of 4 yards, and a gain of 4 yards, the Trojans had one chance left from the 8 yard line.  Wade Hartley, called up from the junior varsity, lined up in the backfield and took a pitch from Allen and tossed the ball to Coleman Brewster, who was tackled a mere foot short of the goal line, thus denying a score.  Two plays later, Calera was out to the 40 yard line and as time ran out, they celebrated their area championship and the Trojans hoped to heal and looked forward to next year after a brutal three game stretch to finish the 1987 season.

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