GAME 6:   @ Trinity 28, St. James 13

September 30, 1988   Boykin Field.   Game Conditions:   Heavy to moderate rain - variable wind  Game temperature 69

St. James could not contain the potent attack of Trinity, as quarterback Jason Adams ran for two touchdowns, set up two others with passes, and threw a two point conversion pass as they nearly doubled the possession time of the Trojans in a come-from-behind 28-13 victory affected by heavy rain, especially in the first half.

The Trojans moved backwards on their first possession, thanks to a quarterback sack and a penalty, and Trinity took over after a punt at the Trojan 45.  Adams carried for 13 yards on the first play and 5 yards on the seventh play of a 45 yard touchdown drive.  Tipper Tipton had a 13 yard run in the middle of the drive, but his point after failed during a particularly strong blast of rain.  However, Trinity had a 6-0 lead midway through the first quarter on an increasingly sloppy field.

St. James started its second drive as well with a loss and a penalty, and was fortunate to recover a fumble to set up a third down on long.  From there, Wade Hartley called his own number for 17 yards, and a late hit penalty moved the ball into Trinity territory at the 35.  After a first down and another penalty, Hartley completed the only Trojan pass for positive yardage of the night, an 11 yarder to Barry Nave, which set up a 6 yard first down run by Will Parker.  Another late hit penalty two plays later gave the Trojans a first down at the Trinity 1, and Jeff George carried soaked tacklers into the endzone for St. James' first score.  P.J. Robertson managed to get his kick through, and the Trojans had a one point lead nearing the end of the first quarter.

The Trojan defense forced a three and out, including a huge loss on a reverse pass attempt, and George returned the 30 yard punt 30 yards back to the line of scrimmage at the Trinity 13.  It took Will Parker only one play to score on the somewhat shocked Trinity defense, and St. James suddenly had a touchdown lead after another point after attempt was negated by the heavy rain.

Trinity converted first downs on the ground on the first three plays of the next drive, with Adams carrying for 10 and Steve McCullough carrying for 14 and 13 yards.  Tipton caught a 22 yard pass to advance the ball to the Trojan 24.  After a penalty, McCullough took the handoff and shook off tacklers on his way to a 29 yard touchdown dash.  This time, Trinity opted for a two point conversion, and a pass well defended and even tipped managed to find its way into the arms of diving receiver Jed Montgomery, and the Wildcats had a one point lead midway through the second quarter.

St. James sputtered on their next possesion, losing seven yards on three plays.  Trinity took over after a punt on the Trojan 42.  Seven consecutive running plays, the final one on fourth down, netted 23 yards.  Two short complete passes had the ball on the Trojan 14 in the last minute of the half.  However, a seven yard loss on a botched lateral and an incomplete pass led Trinity to try a field goal on third down from 31 yards, which failed, and the Trojans kneeled to preserve their one point deficit.

The Wildcats began the second half with a 14 play 68 yard drive almost exclusively on the ground.  Adams was on the receiving end of 17 yard pass moving the ball to the Trojan 9 for the key play of the drive, and two plays later he carried in from the 5 for the third Trinity rushing touchdown.  Tipton this time managed to get the extra point through the uprights, as the rain had slackened, and the Wildcat lead was up to 8 midway through the third quarter.

On the next drive, Jed Montgomery intercepted a Hartley pass and returned it for an apparent touchdown, but a holding penalty on the return brought the ball back to the Trojan 34.  From there, Adams and McCullough alternated runs of 6, 20, 6, and 2 for the touchdown.  Tipton's extra point gave Trinity a 15 point lead late in the third.

St. James had the ball three more times, but could not convert a first down.  Trinity ran very conservative plays and punted when necessary, keeping the Trojans out of Wildcat territory, and as lightning nearby threatened late in the game, a running clock was put into motion for the last 4 minutes, allowing Trinity to run out the clock and preserve a victory at home for the now beyond-soaked Wildcats.