St. James Academy faced a potential threat to hosting its first playoff game on campus late on Friday.

But the Thunder, ranked No. 8 in the 810 Varsity Top 25, pulled away from Blue Valley West for a 39-24 win on a soggy Friday night.

St. James Academy (7-1) entered the game in a four-way tie for the third slot in the Kansas Class 5A standings, and led 29-17 with 8:41 left in the game. But Jett Nagy caught a tipped pass from 27 yards out, and corralled the ball in the end zone for a 29-24 deficit.

The Jaguars forced the Thunder to punt with 5:53 left, and a possible game-winning drive. But forced to punt with 4:52 left, West errantly fielded a punt attempt on a knee before kicking. The Thunder took over at the West 19 and toed a 14-yard Brayden Stoker field goal for a 32-24 lead with 2:57 left.

On the ensuing play, senior Ryan Troyer picked off a pass at midfield, and returned down the sideline 37 yards to the West 14. Three plays later, senior tailback Jake House scored from three yards out to seal the game a 39-24 with 1:20 remaining. House finished with 172 rushing yards and two scores in the contest.

Junior quarterback John Hornback also rushed for two touchdowns, as well as throwing for a touchdown and 167 yards.

St. James Academy, which opened its first season at its new football field this year, will host Shawnee Heights next Friday. Blue Valley West will play at Shawnee Mission East in the Kansas Class 6A playoffs.