MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / November 4, 1998

EDGARD – Having clinched second place in District 9-2A, West St. Johnlooks to build up momentum heading into the state playoffs with a non- district game against Ellender Friday.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at West St. John Stadium.West St. John has won three straight to improve to 6-3 on the season. TheRams are coming off a 32-10 victory at home against Ridgewood to finish 3-1 in District 9-2A.

The Rams dominated all three facets of the game against the Eagles. Theoffense rolled up 381 yards, 246 of which came through the air.

Carl Gauthier completed 11 of his 17 passes for two touchdowns, including an 86-yard strike to Donriel Louis. Louis caught four passes for107 yards.

On the season, Gauthier has completed 81 passes in 157 attempts for 1,335 yards and nine touchdowns.

Brian Lumar was the Rams’ Mr. Everything Friday, catching a 35-yardscoring strike, returning a punt 48 yards for a score and tossing a 16-yard touchdown to Jamar Bailey, all in the first half. Lumar missed the secondhalf with an injury.

On the ground, The Rams racked up 119 yards. Bailey carried 11 times for69 yards and also caught three passes for 48 yards. Dehaven Duronsletadded 54 yards on nine attempts.

The Rams’ defense held the Eagles to 159 yards and harried Ridgewood quarterback Keith Champagne throughout the evening. Champagnecompleted just 4 of his 14 passes and was sacked six times.

Kip Howard had one sack and combined with Pendarvis Morris on another.

Michael Lewis, Jagen August and Jagen Lewis also had sacks.

Domonic Harper, Torrian Thomas, Keith Lumar, and Marlon Jackson were consistently in the Ridgewood backfield, holding Jason Keyes, one of the top runners in the metro area to 110 yards on 24 carries. Keyes gained 91of those yards after halftime and 58 of them came on two runs. Morrisrecovered two fumbles and Howard one.

The Rams will face an Ellender squad that comes into the game 0-9 overall and 0-4 in District 9-4A. The Patriots have lost 18 of their last19 games dating back to last season.

Running back Tristian Verdin leads the Patriots’ offense. Verdin will lookto run behind offensive lineman Delvin Howard, perhaps the Patriots’ best player.

Junior quarterback Josh Washington is one of the few returning starters on the offense. The Patriots do return four on defense. Last year, West St. John cruised to a 34-19 victory at Ellender. JosephGross ran for 182 yards and Adair Alexander threw three touchdown passes.

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