MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / March 31, 1999

EDGARD – Before the 1998 football season, the West St. John playerstalked about going for “the ring,” the symbol of a state championship team.

Saturday night, that dream became a reality as the West St. John BoosterClub held a Ring Ceremony Banquet in the school’s gym to honor the 1998 Class 2A state champions. The Rams capped off a 12-3 season in 1998with a 28-23 victory over Riverside in the state championship game in the Superdome.

The guest speaker for the night was hometown hero Terry Robiskie.

Robiskie, who went on to star at LSU before playing and coaching in the NFL, led Second Ward High School to the state championship in 1972 and 1973.

“This is about you,” Robiskie told the players. “This is about your coaches.We are just here to honor you. When you get your rings, put it on yourfinger and wear it special. It will be with you all your life.Congratulations on a job well done.”Robiskie commended the seniors and told the underclassmen to be prepared to follow in their footsteps.

“Seniors, you were called upon to lead and you did,” Robiskie said. “Youare leaving but you are leaving your hearts behind. Nobody can take awayfrom you that you were the best in your class.

“Juniors, get ready. The seniors have led you to a state championship. Nowthey are passing the torch on to you. Freshmen and sophomores, your timeis right around the corner.”Robiskie told the players that “whatever it is you desire to be, dream it, see it and go get it,” adding that they can do it right in their community.

Another guest speaker was Fox 26 sports anchor Ed Daniels who also co- hosts Friday Night Football. Daniels commended the Rams for winning thechampionship, noting how hard it is to do.

“To have a state championship ring is quite an accomplishment,” Daniels said. “It is unbelievable to do in Louisiana football. I feel our teams, ourplayers and our coaches can play with anybody in this country.”Daniels also commended the three West St. John teams in the early 1990sthat had lost in the state championship game.

“Those teams should be congratulated because they set the stage for last year,” Daniels said.

Daniels reminded the returning players that as defending state champions, every team would be coming at them with everything they have. But, hesaid, if they keep the same priorities they had in wanting to win the championship last year, that they would be successful.

Also on hand was Rudolph Dinvaut, the coach of the 1972-73 state champions at Second Ward. Dinvaut told the players that their successcame from dedication, focus and effort and to use those same attributes in other areas of their lives.

Three former West St. John players – Ira Jackson, Brandon Dumas andDramar Saul – as well as LSU’s Rondell Mealey also commended the players and advised them to concentrate on their education.

“If you put everything you put into football – hard work and dedication – into your school work, you will have no problems,” Mealey, who went to the 1993 state championship game with Destrehan, said.

Jackson, a senior at Nicholls State, said he learned not to quit after finding out he could no longer play football this past season due to post concussion syndrome.

“The moral is that there is life after football,” Jackson said. “The thingthey can’t take away from you is your education.

Dumas, who is currently playing for Mississippi Valley State, said that West St. John will always be home to him. He advised the players to gettheir degrees and that by doing so, it will open up a lot of good things for them.

“We want you to follow in our footsteps and do the best you can,” Dumas said.

West St. John head coach Laury Dupont said that the state championshipteam did not just include the players and the coaches but all those involved.

“Our state champions are our fans,” Dupont said. “I am proud to be part ofthis program. “These men right here (pointing to his players) are truewinners.”Receiving their rings were Anthony Antonio, Jason August, Ken August, Carlo Bailey, Chad Bailey, Jamar Bailey, Terrance Bethancourt, Coy Boudoin, Rysean Brown, Glen Burrell, Arlando Comminie, Jason Demery, Dehaven Duronslet and Quonn Edwards.

Also, Ray Edwards, Larry Favors, Cody Francis, Carl Gauthier, Chad Grows, Dominic Harper, Devin Herbert, Randy Hilaire, Kip Howard, Lionel Howard, Clarence Isaac, Jessie Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Abrom Jackson and Dwayne Johnson.

Also, Troy LaGrange, Gilbert Lewis, Jagen Lewis, Marlon Lewis, Michael Lewis, Donreil Lewis, Amone Lumar, Brian Lumar, Keith Lumar, Coy Miller, Blaine Morris, Pendarvis Morris, Tremaine Nathan, Donavon Pierre, Brent Poche, Euclid Temple, Torrian Thomas, Gary Watson and Duane Young.

Managers receiving rings were Travis Young, Kermit Bethancourt, Bobby Poche, Anthony Shepherd and Marlon Green.

Booster club president Grant Walker and vice president Bartholomew Johnson presented the coaching staff with its rings. Receiving rings wereDupont and assistant coaches Elmo Boudreaux, Antoine Edwards, Lennix Madere, Martin Sylvain, Lester Smith and Germaine Roussel.

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