Trojans run past PCA in regional opener

Clint Houser finds running room against the Prattville Christian defense in St. James’ win over the Panthers Friday at Carlisle Field. (Eddie O Photos)

By DYLAN HURST

St. James Trojans topped the Prattville Christian Panthers, 34-0, the Class 3A, Region 3 opener for both teams at Carlisle Field on Friday.

The Trojans are now 40-3 in region play over the last six years, a record that is the best in the Alabama High School Athletic Association.

Trojans head coach Jimmy Perry praised the Panthers for the effort they showed.  

“Its just been good boys playing good football,” said Perry. “But I still have to give credit to PCA, they have a few players out sick, and they came out here and played their fannies off.”

Junior quarterback KJ Jackson completed 9 of 10 passes for 208 yards and three touchdowns, all coming in the first half in a game that featured only 30 offensive plays by the Trojans.

Junior Clint Houser caught three passes for 76 yards and two touchdowns, while Ziggy Holloway caught two passes for 70 yards and a touchdown.

Senior Cosner Harrison ran the ball eight times for 38 yards and two touchdowns, scoring the game’s final touchdown in the third quarter after coaches had agreed on a running clock.  

The Trojans got on the board very early after Harrison ran for a 13-yard touchdown on the fourth play of the game. Later in the first quarter, the Trojans scored again after Houser caught a 7-yard pass from Jackson. With only seconds left in the first quarter, Holloway caught a short pass from Jackson and ran 59 yards for the score.

Houser caught his second touchdown of the game after a 53-yard pass from Jackson and went to the end zone for a 27-0 lead at the half. 

The Trojans (2-1) will travel to Greensboro next Friday to face the Raiders.

“We’ve got to focus on us first, and we can’t start looking at (Greensboro) before we look at ourselves,” Perry said. “We’re going to all come back on Monday and start getting our team ready for our next opponent.”