BOCA RATON – The first game this fall for Matthew James went well, to say the least.
Although St. Andrew’s took a season-opening 28-20 home loss to a vastly improved St. John Paul II collective, the junior athlete was impactful on the field in multiple ways this past Friday night (Oct. 23).
For instance, when the Scots (0-1) went into halftime down 14-0 to the Eagles (4-2), James and his team spent the break figuring out a way to get on the scoreboard. It is safe to say that there was no quit in James and his team at any point.
Late in the third quarter, St. Andrew’s faced a third-and-long play. At the St. John Paul II 26-yard line, it was go time for James.
The 6-foot-1, 165-pound athlete caught a fade pass from senior quarterback Jeremiah Young. He went on to reach the end zone and get the Scots back in the game.
Head coach Jimmy Robertson recalled how it went down.
“Matt came up to me and said, ‘Throw me a go route now. I want the ball,’” Robertson said. “He has a back shoulder touchdown catch. He makes it look easy. It’s all natural, effortless.”
James went on to score two touchdowns in the game, as well as a two-point conversion on a running play. He scored 14 of the Scots 20 points.
In addition, the junior standout recorded five tackles and three pass breakups on defense.
“He came up big with his two touchdowns and multiple tackles,” St. Andrew’s sophomore athlete Bill Young said of James. “He also had many pass breakups, which was a big momentum change for us. He’s a really good player all-around.”
The most amazing part of James’ performance against St. John Paul II was arguably what he did on special teams. He unveiled another skill, which was on display when he recorded a 45-yard punt in the game.
“Yes he can punt too,” Robertson said of James.
The Scots head coach provided his final assessment on James in their season opener against the Eagles.
“He does it all,” Robertson said. “He is only getting started. We expect him to score every game and be the best player on the field every week.”
NOTE: Here is the next and final five scheduled games for St. Andrew’s – as of now:
•Friday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m. kickoff – Away at Westminster Academy (Fort Lauderdale)
•Friday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m. kickoff – Home vs. Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale)
•Thursday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m. kickoff – Home vs. North Broward Prep (Coconut Creek)
•Friday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. kickoff – Away at Pembroke Pines Charter (Pembroke Pines)
•Saturday, Dec. 12, 4 p.m. kickoff – Away at Somerset Academy Canyons (Boynton Beach)
PHOTO CREDITS: Keith Forde
