GAME 8:  ST. JAMES 20, @ Montgomery Academy 14

STJ                7       7       0       6         20
 
M A               7       0       7       0         14

SCORING SUMMARY: 

M A  (1)   7:28   M. Crouch 5 run                           (Brown kick)       0 -   7
STJ   (1)   3:25   Armstrong 50 run                     (Roberson kick)       7 -   7
STJ   (2) 10:56   Pate ? run                                 (Roberson kick)     14 -   7
M A  (3)   3:31   M. Crouch 17 run                         (Brown kick)      14 - 14
STJ   (4)   1:45   Pappas 20 run                                (kick failed)      20 - 14
October 22, 1993  McLemore Field.    Game Conditions:  not yet available

In what some pundits say was the game which turned the St. James Varsity Football program around in the right direction, the Trojans marched into McLemore Field and wrecked the 1993 Montgomery Academy homecoming festivities by defeating the Eagles for the first time since 1985 and only the second time since 1975, in a thrilling 20 - 14 come-from-behind victory.

The Eagles scored on their opening drive of the first half.  Mike Crouch, who was joined on the Eagles varsity by his brother Greg who played his junior high ball at St. James, scored on a 5 yard touchdown run as part of his 100 yards rushing on the evening.  Robert Brown's extra point gave the Eagles an early 7 - 0 lead.

St. James answered quickly.  As part of his 140 rushing yards (and 278 total for the Trojans), Cade Armsrong scored from midfield on the next drive, and Andy Roberson's extra point tied the score at 7 near the end of the first quarter.

After forcing an almost immediate Eagle punt, Rob Pate scored on a run of mystery yardage early in the second quarter, and the Trojans managed to hold on to a surprising 14 - 7 lead into the halftime ceremonies.

The Eagles tied the score late in the third quarter as Crouch (Mike) scored again, this time from 17 yards out, and the extra point tied the score at 14.

Montgomery Academy was driving for a potential game-winning touchdown late into the fourth quarter, but Trojan Bo Willis pounced upon an Eagle fumble at the Trojan 18.  St. James' drive of the year consumed the next five plays and 82 yards.  Armstrong ran for 22 on the first play, and 15 yards was tacked on at the end due to a face mask penalty.  Two plays later, Pappas picked up 27 yards on a screen pass down to the Eagle 22.  Another two plays later, Pappas wrapped up his 83 yard rushing performance with a 20 yard touchdown and the Trojan sideline and fans were both ecstatic.  The extra point failed, but in the end it did not matter as the Eagles could not score again and the Trojans locked up their noteworthy win against their Capital City Conference opponent.

News was even better from across town as St. James clinched its first playoff spot since 1985 because of a result elsewhere.  Autaugaville's 13 - 3 defeat of Alabama Christian eliminated ACA from the playoff hunt and meant the week 10 St. James - Autaugaville matchup would decide the area winner and that all-important first round home playoff game.

SIDELINE STATISTICS  - GAME EIGHT  (not yet available)

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