TOPEKA, Kan. – The St. James Academy football program has appeared in two state championship games. They’re now 2-for-2.
St. James overcame an early deficit and a trio of turnovers to claim a 28-21 victory over Andover Central and a second straight 4A state championship Saturday afternoon on Chuck Lower Field at Hummer Sports Park.
“It’s special,” said Thunder coach Tom Radke, holding back tears. “My family got to be down here, and this was just special for the St. James community. … The emotions were high, and the crowd was amazing. I’m excited for the community that they get to celebrate. That’s what St. James is all about right there.”
St. James junior quarterback Jackson House rolled out on a bootleg and found the end zone on a two-yard touchdown run for the eventual game-winner with 9:34 remaining. That touchdown, which gave the Thunder their only lead of the game, stood as the final score, giving St. James its second consecutive state title in as many tries.
“I think with how we’ve been playing and how many guys we’ve got coming back, we can keep it rolling,” House said when asked how many consecutive state titles SJA can accomplish. “But most of all, we have a great coaching staff.”
The Thunder (9-4) overcame three turnovers and an early 14-0 hole to win their ninth straight game after an 0-4 start to the season. Not to mention, Andover Central (11-2) was as physical of a team that St. James had seen this year.
“They came out and hit us,” Radke said. “We had a couple turnovers there because they made us turn the ball over with big hits. It was a very physical game right there. We play in the EKL and we’re used to that, but, man, Andover Central brought it.”
“They were a good defense,” House said. “They beat me up pretty good. I’m pretty sore, I’m not going to lie. I’m going to sleep well tonight.”
Those physical Jaguars got off to a dream start. On the fourth play of the game, Andover Central picked off House in SJA territory. Then, Ashton Barkdull scored the first two touchdowns of the contest to provide the visitors a 14-0 lead.
It took until the midway point of the second quarter for St. James to get on the board. House, the first-year varsity signal-caller, found a wide open Tiave Watts, who weaved his way into the end zone for a 51-yard touchdown, to cut the deficit to 14-7 with 5:54 left in the first half. After the Thunder defense forced a punt, Watts helped SJA knot the score at 14-14 with a two-yard touchdown run with less than five ticks before halftime.
Following the break, Barkdull put Andover Central back on top 21-14. However, on the next possession, House connected with senior receiver Tyler Claiborne from 25 yards out to tie the score once again, this time at 21-all.
The Thunder defense forced two straight punts – House’s game-winning rushing touchdown was sandwiched in between – before creating a turnover on downs at the 2:16 mark of the final frame. After a pair of first downs, House and the St. James offense lined up in victory formation to seal the win.
“They were amazing,” House said of the SJA defense. “They stopped a really good Andover Central offense – I throw with their quarterback; he’s a really good player and our defense locked it down.”
“I can’t even find the words,” Janatello, who had an interception, said. “Last year, I had a broken leg, so coming back, our team was so young. We have a great brotherhood, so this is just awesome.”
St. James is due to graduate eight seniors, including key contributors Watts, who left the game and did not return early in the third quarter with an injury, Claiborne, Janatello, offensive lineman Josh Bichelmeyer, and defensive backs Holden Artzer and Tre’ Clark.
“That’s one of the best classes St. James has ever had,” House said. “It may be one of the smallest, but they stuck together and showed us the St. James football way and got us to this point. I can’t love them enough.”
While Radke, the reigning 4A coach of the year, was emotional and gracious during the postgame chaos, he reflected on the big picture. And attempted to answer a looming question.
Can St. James make a run at Bishop Miege’s state record six straight state titles?
“We have eight seniors right now, so we have a lot of guys returning,” Radke said, “but we’ve got some special guys that we’re losing and (St. Thomas) Aquinas is moving down, too, and we haven’t beaten them, so we’re trying to keep this thing going. Again, the more people talk about St. James, the more they talk about Jesus. (If we) keep doing that and we’ll keep doing it as long as we can.”
