GAME 4:   ST. JAMES 21, D.C. Wolfe 6

September 15, 1989  Collier Field.   Game Conditions:   Steady rain early, little wind  Game temperature:  75

St. James managed to hold on the football often enough during a continuous rain, scoring three first half touchdowns before the field became a sloshfest after the halftime ceremonies, as they charged to their first win of the season, a 21-6 victory over the visiting D.C. Wolfe Pirates of Shorter.

The Pirates lost a net of 8 yards on their first possession, thanks to a wayward toss sweep and a delay of game penalty, and a short punt gave the Trojans great field possession early at the Wolfe 26.  Jeff George ran for 19 yards on the first play.  After an encroachment penalty, and a 2 yard gain by George, Wade Hartley called his own number from the two and scored the first touchdown of the night.  Gabe Harris' extra point was good and the Trojans had a rare early lead of 7-0.

D.C. Wolfe punted again from their 11, but this time the punt was deeper, although the Trojans did start in Wolfe territory.  However, four plays netted only 1 yard and St. James turned the ball over on downs.  St. James pushed the Pirates back another 8 yards before the third punt of the quarter finally advanced the ball into Trojan territory, with St. James taking over at their own 44.  George and Parker carried the ball the next 8 plays, with another defensive offside penalty included, down to the Pirate 2. 

Fortunately, perhaps, the first quarter ended and the teams changed ends to relatively undisturbed field.  On first down, Hartley duplicated his 2 yard burst of the first quarter for the game's second touchdown, followed by Harris' second extra point.

The Pirates finally moved the ball for their best drive of the game and their only march into Trojan territory.  Jimmy Williams carried for several first downs and caught for one on the drive.  A roughing the passer penalty moved the ball down to the Trojan 28.  After a one yard gain, Sidney Johnson passed to LaShawn Moore for 27 yards and a touchdown.  The extra point failed, but D.C. Wolfe had cut the lead nearly in half midway through the second quarter.

St. James recovered an ill-fated onside kick which turned into a squib on the wet turf at their own 41.  From there, the Trojans trudged down the field using the clock wisely, and getting a big boost on a fourth down Pirate offside penalty.  On second down from the Pirate 18, Hartley tossed a touchdown pass to Barry Nave in the last minute of the half.  Harris' extra point gave St. James a 21-6 lead into halftime as the field was "fading fast", and was helped along by the halftime band exhibitions.

D.C. Wolfe pulled off the amazing play of the game on the kickoff, as they kicked the ball off.  It bounced at the 27 yard line and took a tremendous hop over onrushing potential fielders and somehow managed to get all the way to the endzone on the slick field just before both teams got to the ball which would have led to a crucial possession scrum.  Neither team threatened on their first drives, but the Trojans were moving into Pirate territory again.  Nave caught a pass from Hartley, but the ball was ripped out by defenders and recovered by Wolfe at their own 25, perhaps preventing a score.

A shanked Pirate punt gave the Trojans first down at the Wolfe 35.  George's 11 yard run gave the Trojans another first down, but on third down a Hartley pass was tipped and intercepted in the endzone.  On third down from the Pirates' own 20, they completed a 15 yard pass and finally had some momentum.  However, before the next play ran, a dead ball unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was called and the ball was immediately back to the 15 with a first down and 25 looming.  Wolfe could not convert another first down, and the Trojans were content to let most of the fourth quarter clock run out on their next drive.  They punted with less than 3 minutes remaining, but both teams exchanged lost fumbles near the end of the game ensuring no second half scoring.  However, St. James didn't need any as they walked away happily, and quite soaked, with their first victory of a tough season.