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ST. JAMES FOOTBALL 2009 |
(Week-10) vs Karr |
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St. James falls to powerful Karr 25-7
By
Kenny Hymel www.stjameswildcats.com November 4,
2009 ST. JAMES, LA -- A "tale of two halves" had
been the story for the St. James Wildcats in most games throughout this 2009
season. Much was the same in tonight's
regular-season finale for St. James. The Wildcats struggled badly during the first half,
falling behind 25-0. Like most of the
other non-district opponents for St. James, the Edna Karr Cougars were very
fast, big, and powerful. Despite Karr
being a quality team, many feel St. James' first-half performance was one of
the worst of the season. After halftime however, St. James -- maybe for the first
time all season -- showed some signs of "controlled winning
anger." The Wildcats' offense
executed maybe 100% better and the defense stiffened up to shutout Karr 7-0
in the second half. The second-half performance for St. James should teach
themselves that if they can play two solid halves of football in one game
that St. James will not be an easy team to beat. Karr, using a well-balanced offensive attack, scored
their first touchdown of the night on a 5-yard pass. Karr struggled on extra points tonight, and
their first attempt would sail wide.
The Cougars led 6-0 with 3:01 left in the first quarter. The Cougars quickly returned the scoreboard when they blasted
off an 85-yard scoring run with 10:45 left in the second quarter. Karr would make their only extra point of
the night to make the score now 13-0. The Cougars got 2 more scores in before halftime. First, the Cougars punched it in on a
10-yard run. About a minute later,
Karr again found the end zone, but this time on an 81-yard punt returned that
seemed uncontested by Wildcat defenders. St. James nearly got on the scoreboard with the last
play of the half; however, a would-be touchdown reception was dropped. Trailing 25-0 at half, most teams would have
folded. If there is one thing St.
James did right tonight, it was responding after half. St. James finally found the end zone when sophomore
Larohn Cambre zipped in on a 2-yard run.
Jaleel Steib provided the extra point to make the game 25-7 with 1:12
left in the third quarter. A quick turnover got St. James the ball back quickly,
however, the Wildcats gave it right back with an interception. From that point on, the defense continued to play good
enough to hold the game at 25-7. Tonight's 25-7 victory for Karr will give Karr a 9-1
record going into the Class-4A playoffs.
St. James drops to 3-7 but will still make the Class-3A
playoffs just on power rating alone, not to mention also being the
"official" District 8-3A Champion. St. James will begin "Season 3" next Friday
night when they travel to take on a familiar foe, the Brusly Panthers. NOTABLES The 1979 State Championship St. James team was honored
during halftime as this year marks the 30th anniversary of their championship
season. The 2009 St. James Wildcats were a victim, and reward,
of their own past success. It is a
fact that countless football teams from the area declined to play St. James
this year when the scheduling process was going on. Departed Coach Don Rodgrigue was in charge
of scheduling at the time and says that he contacted almost 150 schools with some
not even answering the phone. This led
to only very quality teams agreeing to play St. James. This statement is a fact, not anyone's
opinion. In the same aspect, it was this very tough and brutal
schedule that gave St. James a high enough power rating to carry them into
the playoffs even if they would not have won a share of district. |
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