Wildcats off to another good start
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, September 9, 1998
MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / September 9, 1998
RESERVE – East St. John will look to keep its September winning streakalive Friday as its hosts McDonogh 35.
The Wildcats have won 10 straight games in September dating back to 1995. East St. John’s last loss in the month came in week four of the 1995season when the Wildcats fell to Covington, 14-13. The streak started aweek later with a victory over L.B. Landry.East St. John continued the streak Friday with a 19-13 victory at rivalLutcher. The Wildcats were led by their defense which held the Bulldogsfour times from the 8-yard line in the final minute and set up two scores.
Samuel Davenport returned an interception 30 yards to the one. BrandonAugust took it in on third down from the 4.
In the third quarter, Edward Campbell returned a fumble to the one from where Samson Monica scored. Overall, the Wildcats forced six fumbles,recovering three, and intercepted two passes.
The takeaways helped the Wildcats rally from a 13-0 victory in the second quarter. Floyd Smith added a 40-yard pass to tight end Chris Bush andpassed for 141 yards.
McDonogh 35 is coming off a 34-7 loss against St. Augustine Saturdaynight. The Roneagles jumped out to a 7-0 lead as Brett Young connectedwith Andre George on a 93-yard scoring strike. The lead was shortlived asSt. Augustine’s Michael Franklin took the ensuing kickoff 69 yards for atouchdown.
St. Augustine was held to three yards passing but ran for 328 yards. EastSt. John will look to take advantage of that weakness of McDonogh 35after rushing for 55 yards against Lutcher. On offense, the Roneaglespassed for 154 yards but gained only 41 yards on the ground.
A year ago, the Wildcats ran by the Roneagles, 55-27. Juan Reese rushedfor 295 yards and four touchdowns. Brad Jones returned a kick 92 yardsand Franklin McKinnis ran for two scores and passed to Kerry Watkins for another. For the Roneagles, Talman Gardner scored on a pass and ClydePratt ran for two touchdowns. McDonogh 35 would shake off the loss to goon to win the District 8-5A crown and advance to the bi-district playoffs where it lost to Covington.
Reese, Jones, McKinnis, Watkins, Pratt and Gardner are all gone now but offensive standouts return on both squads. East St. John returns widereceiver Roydel Williams, tight end Jerome Anderson and August, while McDonogh 35 has Young and wide receiver Andre George back.
The strength of the Roneagles is their offensive line, including Fred Richardson who is listed at six-foot-five, 350 pounds. On defense, theRoneagles return defensive linemen Terry Anderson and Charles Watkins and cornerback Rodney Snow.
East St. John hosts Warren Easton next Friday while McDonogh 35 hostsMcMain.
Return To Sports Stories
Copyright © 1998, Wick Communications, Inc.
Internet services provided by NeoSoft.
Best viewed with 3.0 or higher