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Photos by: Jennifer Hall – http://photosbyjenny.zenfolio.com/
Michael Goddard running the ball for the saints
Lendon Ellis blocking for the saints
Stormy Night for the Saints at WCCA
By: Melissa Grace
Prentiss Christian traveled to Woodville last Friday to play the Rams of WCCA. The Rams and the Saints both won convincingly in round one of the playoffs the week before. WCCA was the number 1 ranked team in AA and the Saints were number 3. However, according to the playoff bracket, the Saints went into the playoffs in the number 8 spot. After a two and half hour drive the weather made the evening even longer as severe weather rolled through south Mississippi putting a long hold on the start of the game. With no opportunity to warm up due to repeated lightning delays, the Saints and Rams finally hit the field just after 8:00 for a 7:00 scheduled matchup. A light rain at kickoff quickly turned into a down pour as field conditions worsened by the minute. The Rams won the coin toss and elected to defer to the 2nd half. A pooch kick was fielded by Steven Colson at the 39 yard line of Prentiss. Runs by Austin Daughdrill, Blake Greenlee and Eric Powell moved the ball up to mid field. On a 3rd and 7 play, Greenlee hit Michael Goddard on a 31 yard pass play down to the 17 yard line of the Rams. After runs for little gain and a delay of game penalty the Saints faced a 3rd and 18 on the 25 yard line. Greenlee dropped back and hit a wide open Powell in the end zone for a touchdown, but a false start penalty would negate the play and back the Saints up. Consecutive incompletions would turn the ball over to WCCA for their first possession. The Rams wasted no time doing what they do best. They found the end zone on an eight play drive that burned almost four minutes of play clock. The Rams added the 2pt conversion and with 2:37 to play in the 1st quarter had an 8-0 lead. WCCA attempted the onside kick unsuccessfully as Goddard fielded the ball on the PC 49 yard line. Prentiss moved the ball down to the Ram 34 yard line, but turned the ball over on an interception. The Rams hit the ground running again making it to the 9 yard line of the Saints. The defense stiffened and broke up three consecutive pass attempts. Prentiss took over on downs at their own 10 yard line. The Saints worked out to the 37 yard line but could not convert and elected to punt on 4th and 7. Greenlee’s punt was blocked and recovered by the Rams on the 9 yard line of Prentiss. Tackles for loss and a false start penalty put the Rams back at the 16 yard line. Pass deflections on 3rd and 4th down again gave possession over to Prentiss. Powell put up 19 yards on two rushes, but time expired on the half before the Saints could move any farther.
Greenlee kicked off in place of the injured Josh Daley started the 2nd half with pooch kick of his own. The Ram returner fielded the ball on the 44 yard line and was quickly tackled by Colson on the 46. WCCA rushed down to the 30 yard line of the Saints, but could go no farther and elected to punt. A well placed punt and cover forced Prentiss to start from their own 1 yard line. After gaining no yards on 1st and 2nd down, Greenlee fumbled on 3rd down for a safety. WCCA now led 10-0 and would get the ball back with good field position. Greenlee’s free kick flew 41 yards to the WCCA 39 yard line. Triston Bridges made a good open field tackle stopping the Rams for no return. The Rams made it to the 40 yard line of PC on good runs. On 2nd down, the Saints forced a fumble that was recovered by Powell on the 34 yard line. Prentiss gained 1 yard on the drive an elected to punt on 4th down. Greenlee’s punt was downed on the 19 yard line of the Rams. The Rams gained only 1 yard on the series and faced a 4th and 9 on the Ram 20 yard line. WCCA elected to punt as the 4th quarter began. The 44 yard Ram punt was downed on the 36 yard line of the Saints. The Saints lost 6 yards on 1st and 2nd down. An incompletion on 3rd down forced a punt by Greenlee on 4th and 16. The Ram returner was wrapped up by Colson after a 39 yard punt and a 4 yard return. PC forced a quick three and out. The Rams elected to punt on 4th and 11 from their own 34 yard line. The 31 yard punt was downed on the PC 35 yard line. The 1st down pass was caught by Sutton for a 3 yard gain. An incompletion on 2nd down led to a screen pass on 3rd down to Goddard. The pass was caught an immediately fumbled into the hands of the Rams defenders on the Saint 35 yard line. The Rams fumbled on 1st down, but recovered the ball for a 2 yard loss. On 2nd down, the Rams ran around end and fumbled into the hands of Greenlee after being hit by Kolbe Verdun, but the runner was ruled down making it 3rd and 3. Two plays later, Verdun and Kash Miller forced another fumble that was recovered by the Rams. Prentiss forced a 4th and 7, but an encroachment penalty made it 4th and 2. The quarterback then ran the ball down to the 2 yard line for a 1st down. One play later, he scored the final touchdown of the night. The 2pt conversion attempt was stopped making the score 16-0 with 2:52 to play in the game. The Rams kicked off to Wade Watkins who returned the ball 6 yards to the 34 yard line of the Saints. Three plays later, the Saints faced a 3rd and 13 situation. The PC pass was intercepted at the Ram 38 yard line and returned to the Saint 38 yard line. The Rams ran out the clock and ended the Saints run for a championship. However, the Saints finished up with a terrific record of 10-2 and a bright outlook for next season.
Offensive Stats-
Greenlee 7-16 passing, 42 yards, 5 rushes, 5 yards- Daughdrill 11 rushes, 27 yards- Powell 6 rushes, 24 yards, 2 catches, 3 yards- Goddard 3 rushes, 15 yards, 2 catches 30 yards- Holder 1 rush, 0 yards- Sutton 2 catches 9 yards
Defensive Stats- Holder 5t 4a, Powell 5t 2a, Sanders 4t 4a, Chavis 2t 7a, Verdun 1t 7a, Daughdrill 2t 4a, Goddard 2t 4a, Berry 2t 2a, Miller 5a, Colson 2t, Bridges 1t, Sutton 1a, Greenlee 1a, John Robert Lee 1a
