Comets fall to St. James 17-9

The Comets and Wildcats of St. James battled for three quarters with neither team getting into the endzone. The Comets outscored the Wildcats 9-3 thanks to three Chris Ilski field goals. But in the fourth quarter the Comets found themselves on the short end of a 17-9 score as the Wildcats scored twice before denying the Comets the endzone on the game's last play.

It was the fourth time since 2001 that a St. James-St. Charles game came down to the game's final play. In 2001, 2002, 2005 (playoffs), and 2006 (Friday night), the game ended with the losing team having a chance to tie or win the game on the last play.

Friday night both teams played and competed hard despite appearing short on emotion after big games the week before against John Curtis and Riverside. In the end a turnover by the Comets gave St James the winning touchdown. The Wildcats fumbled five times in the game but the Comets would only recover two of those and turn them into field goals and not touchdowns.

The Comets scored first on 35 yard field goal by Ilski. The Comets drove the ball from their own 35 to the Wildcat 18 but could go no further.

The Wildcats responded with a field goal of their own moving to the Comet 21 before the Comet defense stiffened. The score remained tied at 3 at the half.

In the third quarter the Comets recovered two Wildcat fumbles and held the ball the entire quarter with St James running only one offensive play. But the Comets could only put up 6 points on two more Ilski field goals of 35 and 31 yards.

Early in the fourth quarter the Wildcats mounted their only offensive scoring drive. Facing a fourth and one on the Comet 9 yard line the Wildcats faked the run and surprised everyone with a pass to the tight end for the only offensive score of the game. The PAT gave the 'cats a 10-9 lead.

On the Comets next possession the Wildcats picked a pass in the flat and ran it back 48 yards for a touchdown. The point after gave the Wildcats a 17-9 lead.

The game appeared all but over when the Comets stopped the Wildcats on a 4th and one near midfield with about one minute remaining in the game. The Comets then moved the ball to the Wildcat five yard line. But one pass attempt fell incomplete and another was intercepted in the endzone on the last play of the game helping preserve the win for St. James.

The Comets open the 2-A state playoffs Friday night hosting the Jewel Sumner Cowboys at Dupuy stadium. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7.00 each and can be purchased in advance or at the gate.