2014 - GAME 6

SAINT JAMES 44, @ Headland 8
 STJ        21     10       7       6        44
 
HEA         0       0       0       8          8
SCORING SUMMARY

STJ   (1)  11:40   Robinson 95 kickoff return                             (Taylor kick)      7 - 0
STJ   (1)    8:34   Robinson 3 run                                                 (Taylor kick)    14 - 0
STJ   (1)    6:46   Robinson 77 run                                               (Taylor kick)    21 - 0
STJ   (2)  11:05   Taylor 33 FG                                                                               24 - 0
STJ   (2)    0:46   Fields 35 pass from Collier                              (Taylor kick)    31 - 0
STJ   (3)    5:37   Underwood 1 run                                             (Taylor kick)    38 - 0
HEA (4)    3:04   Kirkland 2 run                                                  (Lindor run)    38 - 8
STJ   (4)    1:07   Underwood 33 run                                             (kick failed)    44 - 8

October 3, 2014.   J.J. Yarbrough Stadium.  Game conditions:  Mostly but decreasingly cloudy.   Game temperature:  80  Wind:  negligible
 

Jonathon Robinson ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown, added two touchdowns on runs in the first six minutes of the game, and had a fourth potential 64 yard touchdown called back by penalties.   The Trojans built the big lead and overcame some sloppy play later in the game as Blake Underwood rushed for over 150 yards in a backup role helping to lead Saint James to a convincing 44 - 8 road victory over the Headland Rams.

The game could not have started off much better for Saint James as Robinson fielded the opening kickoff at his own five yard line and rushed forward behind excellent blocking racing past potential tacklers untouched into the endzone.  The clock continued to run for nearly a minute after the touchdown, so it was 'estimated' 20 seconds ran off when the clock was finally corrected.  This issue happened throughout the game, but fortunately it really did not matter.  Coleman Taylor's extra point gave the Trojans a 7 - 0 lead after the opening play.

The great start continued after the Rams were held to a three and out and a punt attempt was blocked by the Trojans.  Several players tried for the ball, but it was finally picked up by Reid Woodson and he earned a modest return to the Headland 9 yard line.  Three consecutive carries by Robinson of 4, 2, and 3 yards gave Saint James another quick touchdown, and Taylor's extra point into the backyard of a Headland resident behind the east endzone doubled the Trojans' lead.

Headland was again stopped on a three and out, but this time a well-bouncing punt traveled nearly 50 yards before coming to rest on the Trojan 23.  No problem.  Robinson took the handoff, avoided several tackles within the first five yards, and broke into the secondary again to race for his third touchdown in just over five minutes of game time and the Trojans had a 21 - 0 lead before the first quarter was halfway over.

The Rams were three and out on their third consecutive drive, and after Dozier Dean returned a punt from his own 32 to the Ram 32, it appeared Saint James was poised to strike again.  However, after an incomplete pass attempt, a handoff was fumbled and recovered by Headland at the 26 yard line, finally giving the home fans something to cheer.  Three plays later, the Rams were punting again, and on first down Robinson took another handoff and in what would have been the amazing run of the season breaking at least four tackles on his way to a 64 yard touchdown was called back by an amazing four different penalties called by four different referees.  For the most part, Robinson's night was done in the first quarter, and Blake Underwood was called in.  He promptly picked up 48 yards on the first play after the penalties were marked off, and added 13 on the next carry.  A delay of game penalty slowed the drive, but on the second play of the second quarter, Coleman Taylor kicked a 33 yard field goal, this time off the Headland fieldhouse as opposed to the Headland house house and a football was saved as the Trojans had a 24 - 0 lead less than 13 minutes into the contest.

A combined quarterback sack by Hayden Ward and Justin Jackson pushed the Rams back to their own 12 on the next drive, and it appeared on the next play after another quarterback scramble, a flag near the endzone may have resulted in a safety or dangerous position for the Rams' next offensive play.  However, after discussion amongst the referees, a roughing the passer penalty was called and Headland finally earned their initial first down of the game.  However, an 11 yard loss on an intended trick play on the next down stifled any momentum, and the Trojans regained possession.  The Rams did manage to force a fourth down, but a pass was called for on a fake punt and Jaylen McCoy made a great catch on a 27 yard toss and run.  It was called back due to an illegal formation penalty, and after the punt against many second team defenders, Headland finally began driving down the field.  The Rams got as deep as the Trojan 16, but quarterback Joshua Bradford fumbled a snap and it was recovered by Woodson at the 23 yard line.  With under two minutes left in the half, the Trojans got a chance to work on their two minute drill and shined, in almost one actual minute.  Connor Collier ran for 6 yards on first down, then tossed a sideline pass to Dozier Dean who forced a Ram tackler to miss giving him extra yardage, 36 in total, down to the Ram 35.  After an incomplete pass, Collier found Nolan Fields behind the defense on a post route for a 35 yard touchdown.  The extra point gave Saint James a 31 - 0 lead with just under a minute remaining until halftime. 

Headland could only manage 13 yards on a pair of running plays before halftime arrived, probably not soon enough for the Rams.   They did manage one first down on the opening possession of the second half, but a short punt giving the Trojans the ball just short of midfield.  Robinson came in for several plays to wrap up his 100+ yard rushing performance and his evening, and despite a large erasure of yardage thanks to a holding penalty, Underwood returned to pick up 17 yards after Robinson had gained 17 on the previous run to erase the penalty yardage and give Saint James first and goal at the Ram 6.  Underwood picked up 5½ on first down, and easily gained the last bit on the next play.  The extra point gave the Trojans a 38 point lead.

Several plays after an endzone kickoff by Taylor, a punt was muffed and Headland recovered on the Trojan 41, and several first downs and a defensive holding penalty had the Rams threatening at the Trojan 10.  However, a five yard loss on the next play and consecutive incomplete passes gave the ball back to Saint James early in the fourth quarter.  Trying to use as much clock as possible, penalties once again slowed the Trojans and a shanked punt gave Headland the ball near midfield.  Both teams were by now playing bench players and the fresh legs of J.C. Kirkland and Dantrel Lindor finally led Headland to the endzone.  Lindor scored the touchdown on a two yard run, and Kirkland scored on a two point conversion run, cutting the lead to 30 and eliminating the possibility of a shutout.  Saint James used the combination of Underwood and freshman Stephen Sadie to try and run out the clock.  Sadie picked up a total of 38 yards on his first two carries of the season, and Underwood wrapped up the game scoring as he broke loose from Ram pursuers on his way to his second touchdown of the evening, a 33 yarder.  A major penalty due to 12 men on the field on the extra point pushed the ball well back and the extra point failed, but the Trojans had sealed a 44 - 8 victory as the Rams could drive only as far as the Trojan 20 before the erratic game clock expired.  With sole possession of the Region 2 lead, Saint James turned its sights to the following week, Homecoming 2014, as the Bullock County Hornets would head to Carlisle Field.


SIDELINE STATISTICS - GAME SIX

SAINT JAMES    RUSHING   28 attempts   327 yards   4 TDs   (11.68 yards per carry)

                                 5   Underwood                15 / 153  (2 TDs)    1   Robinson                  8 / 121  (2 TDs)       23   Sadie                   2 / 38
                                 2   Melendez                     1 /    6                  12   Collier                      1 /    6                      15   Hubbard               1 /  3

                              PASSING   3 completions  7 attempts  0 INTs  72 yards  1 TD

                              12   Collier                    3 - 5 - 0      72 yards    (1 TD)
                                2   Melendez                0 - 2 - 0

                              RECEIVING

                              10   Dean                            1 / 36                    11  Fields                         1 / 35   (TD)             1   Robinson              1 / 1

                              TOTAL YARDS:  399

                              KICKS:      XP  5 / 6      FG   1 / 1  (33 made)
                              2 POINT CONVERSIONS:  0 / 0
                              KICKOFFS:  8  (45,55,54,47,49,52,EZ,40)    PUNTS:  2  (46,14)
                              KO RETURNS:  2  (95TD,19)                        PUNT RETURNS:   6  (8,36,34,0fc,0fc,0F)
                              FIRST DOWNS:   14   (12 rushing, 2 passing)
                              THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS:   2 / 5
                              FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS:  0 / 1
                              FUMBLES:  1, lost 1
                              TURNOVER MARGIN:   0
                              BLOCKED KICK RETURNS:  1  (4)
                              POINTS OFF TURNOVERS:  7
                              ACCEPTED PENALTIES:   10 / 68
                              TIME OF POSSESSION:   18:40

HEADLAND        RUSHING    42 attempts  117 yards  1 TD  (2.79 yards per carry)
                              PASSING       7 completions  18 attempts  0 INTs  62 yards  0 TDs
                              TOTAL YARDS:  179

                              KICKS:      XP  0 / 0      FG   0 / 0
                              2 POINT CONVERSIONS:  1 / 1
                              KICKOFFS:  2  (55,53)                                   PUNTS:  7  (-4bk,54,49,24,37,26,23)
                              KO RETURNS:  7  (12,18,11,13,12,6,18)      PUNT RETURNS:  1  (0fc)
                              FIRST DOWNS:  12  (9 rushing, 2 passing, 1 penalty)
                              THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS:   3 / 13
                              FOURTH DOWN CONVERSIONS:  2 / 3
                              FUMBLES:  2, lost 1
                              POINTS OFF TURNOVERS:  0
                              ACCEPTED PENALTIES:  4 / 57 yards
                              TIME OF POSSESSION:  29:20

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