By ROBERT L. LEE

ST. JAMES – The St. James High School Wildcats held off the Donaldsonville High School Tigers for a tough 21-13 win Friday night. The Wildcats’ offense kept the ball on the ground to make yardage and run down the clock, while the defense held the Tigers at bay, allowing only two touchdowns and no two-point conversions.

Junior running back Michael Harry had an exceptional night, providing St. James with two of its three touchdowns, while accumulating 96 yards.

“Sure we expected a close game,” said St. James head coach Rick Gaille after a long congratulatory speech to his victorious Wildcats. “The Donaldsonville team has been playing with great effort and great schemes on both sides. Their team plays bigger than their size.”

Several of the Wildcats’ fans agreed with the coach’s assessment.

“This game is a challenge for the Wildcats. Donaldsonville is going to give them a run for their money,” admitted St. James supporter Debra Robinson.

“The game is good, but the Wildcats just need to pass the ball some more,” commented Carlton Derbigny.

From the opening Donaldsonville kickoff, St. James began its ground attack. The Wildcats tore open the game with a 10-play drive covering 66 yards, including a seven-yard touchdown by Harry in the first five minutes. St. James defensive back Calvin Zenon stopped the Tigers following drive at mid-field with via an interception. The Wildcats managed about 10 yards, then decided to punt down to the Donaldsonville one-yard line. The Tigers advanced 29 yards to their own 30, before forfeiting their drive to a punt to the St. James 40 yard line, ending the first quarter.

The Donaldsonville defense stalled the Wildcats, then tipped their punt to gain possession at St. James’ 35 yard line. Three plays and 32 yards later, the Tigers broke to within the Wildcats’ three yard line. Donaldsonville’s quarterback Tremaine Brown capitalized, running in for a touchdown to put the Tigers on the board with seven points. On the ensuing drive, Wildcats running back David Johnson fumbled at the Tigers’ 45 yard line, but the Wildcats recovered the ball to keep possession. St. James tried two passes and ran down the clock, but failed to convert the fourth down. With only 17 seconds left, the Tigers started from their own 20 yard line and had only enough time for one play, leaving the score tied at seven.

St. James kicked off the second half by holding Donaldsonville to within its own 20, then forcing a punt to the Tigers’ own 40 yard line. The Tigers maintained their ground attack, but turned over the ball on the 10 yard line after a pass to Harry was fumbled. However, the Wildcats returned the favor two plays later, forcing a turnover at the Tigers’ 14 yard line. St. James fans jumped to their feet after senior Wendell Octave ran eight yards to the six yard line, setting up a Harry touchdown run.

Harry returned to the end zone, adding another two points and putting St. James up 15-7. The Tigers roared back with the help of a high pitch from Wildcat quarterback Blake Falgoust intended for Darnell Ingram. From the St. James 30 yard line, Brown passed 23 yards to running back Jamar Collins to put the Tigers in scoring distance. On their third play, Brown found tight end Aaron Thomas alone in the end zone for six points. The Tigers’ two-point conversion fell short and left them trailing 15-13.

St. James’ Harry topped off the Wildcats’ next six-minute, 74-yard drive with a two-yard run which set the score at 21-13. Donaldsonville threatened with a 25-yard kick return and a drive to the St. James 17 yard line, but with only 36 seconds left, the Wildcats’ defense proved too tough.

Next week, the Wildcats travel to LaPlace to take on the St. Charles Catholic Comets.