Last week, against one of the nation's top programs, The St. James Academy (VA) took IMG Academy (FL) down to the wire before losing on a last-second field goal.
Even in the loss, the Strivers showed the nation where they stood as a program. On Saturday night, they had a chance to do it again as they hosted the No. 1 team in the country in the Super 25 rankings
, the St. Frances Academy Panthers (Baltimore, MD).With memories of last year's 35-point loss to the Panthers likely still fresh, the Strivers overcame those demons. They picked up a program-defining win, erasing a 17-point deficit to beat St. Frances Academy 28-20.
Through one quarter, a repeat of last year's win for St. Frances Academy looked possible.
The Panthers struck first late in
the quarter as quarterback Justin Merriman connected with Brandon Jefferson on a touchdown strike in the corner of the end zone. Senior running back Sa'Nir Brooks added another touchdown with 48 seconds remaining in the quarter, giving St. Frances Academy a 14 -0 lead.
They added another field goal in the second quarter before the Strivers scored a much-needed touchdown before the half. Quarterback Kash Carter pitched it out to Aveon Cobb, who caught it from a few yards out with 50 seconds left in the half.
The 17-point lead that once belonged to the Panthers was quickly cut to three with 8:38 remaining in the third quarter. This time, Carter used his arm to get the Strivers on the board, connecting with Marshall wide receiver commit Vinnie Hill on a short touchdown strike.
Carter continued to plague the Panthers' defense with his arm and gave the Strivers their first lead of the night less than two minutes after they scored their last touchdown. Carter went over the top this time, connecting with James Madison commit Camden Simmons.
The St. James Academy wasn't done yet.
With St. Frances Academy driving to retake the lead, Kymani Bridge intercepted a Panthers pass in the end zone with just over nine minutes remaining. Four minutes later, Carter and Hill put the comeback away.
Deep in Panthers territory, Carter rolled to his right and found Hill in the back of the end zone for their second connection of the night to put the Strivers ahead with 5:01 remaining.
St. Frances Academy would tack on a field goal in the final two minutes, but that would be it as the Strivers ran out the clock and celebrated their first milestone win as a program.
Follow Sports Reporter Joe Spears on X at @joe_spears7 or via email: JSpears@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow USA TODAY High School Sports on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: St. James shocks No. 1 St. Frances Academy with 17-point comeback
