St. James Falls Short in Hard Fought Semifinal: In a hard-fought battle under the Friday night lights, St. James faced off against Mobile Christian Leopards for the second consecutive year. However, this time, the Trojans couldn’t replicate last year’s success, succumbing to a 34-30 loss in the Class 3A state playoffs semifinals.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, St. James fought relentlessly, battling back each time. However, five turnovers proved to be the Trojans’ undoing against a formidable Mobile Christian team that had allowed just 13 touchdowns throughout the season.
Mobile Christian (14-0) now advances to the 3A state championship, facing off against Madison Academy (14-0) on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the University of Alabamas Bryant-Denny Stadium. St. James concludes the season with a commendable 11-3 record.
The game started with a promising interception by Dalton Nickles from the Saint James defense, leading to a touchdown and a 7-0 lead. However, turnovers plagued the Trojans, allowing Mobile Christian to capitalize and secure a 14-10 lead by halftime.
Despite the challenges, St. James showed resilience, with KJ Jackson leading the charge. A 36-yard touchdown pass to Tabor Offord and a well-executed drive brought the Trojans back into the game, taking a 24-21 lead.
However, Mobile Christian answered with a 33-yard run by PJ Brown, regaining the lead at 27-24. The Trojans faced adversity once again as KJ Jackson was sacked and fumbled, leading to a quick Leopard touchdown, extending the deficit to 34-24.
ALSO READ: Alabama Native and Former NFL Player: Wallace Gilberry Takes a Stance
Undeterred, St. James mounted an impressive 80-yard drive, scoring a touchdown in just 50 seconds. Although they recovered the onside kick, the Leopard defense held strong, securing a fourth-down stop and sealing their victory.
Despite the turnovers, the Trojans managed to score 30 points against Mobile Christian, the highest total the Leopards have conceded all season. Additionally, St. James limited Mobile Christian to just 34 points, their second-lowest total of the season.
This game marked the end of an era as KJ Jackson, the Arkansas commitment, concluded his remarkable career as the Trojans’ quarterback. Jackson leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, holding numerous records and contributing to a senior class that achieved unprecedented success, including a school-record 41 wins, three region championships, and a state championship.