MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / October 6, 1999

EDGARD – Coming off its first loss in 14 games, West St. John will look tobounce back Friday night at District 9-2A opponent Buras.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Fort Jackson. Newman upset the Rams, ranked No. 1 in the Class 2A poll every week thisseason, 24-6, Friday night. The loss snapped a 13-game winning streak forWest St. John, dating back to last October against Riverside. West St. Johnwent on to win its final nine games of the 1998 season, including a 28-23 victory over Riverside in the Class 2A state championship game, and its first four games this season.

Turnovers and penalties did the Rams (4-1, 1-1) in Friday. West St. Johncommitted 12 penalties for 103 yards in the game. An offensive passinterference call negated one touchdown while two defensive offside calls helped lead to a Newman score. Carl Gauthier was intercepted three times,one setting up a Newman touchdown. The Rams also fumbled seven times,losing once. Gauthier was sacked four times and the Rams were held tominus 19 yards rushing.

Gauthier did pass for 183 yards on 12-of-33 passing. And the Rams’defense held Newman to 12 first downs and forced two turnovers. Gauthieris the leading passer in the River Parishes, having completed 70-of-122 passes for 952 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The Rams will be facing a Buras team coming off a 48-12 non-district loss to Belle Chasse. The Wildcats dropped to 1-4 on the season and are 0-1 in District 9-2A after a loss at Riverside two weeks ago.

Like the Rams, Buras has been going through the air on offense this season.

Travis Riley is one of the leading passers in the area in Class 2A with over 270 yards. Riley is operating behind a line that has five playersreturning from last season – Cody Portie, Drew Cognevich, Gilbert Sylve, Sherman Shoulder and Maverick DuMolle. The Wildcats have struggled ondefense this season, giving up 203 points in five games (40.6 points pergame).

West St. John travels to Riverside next Friday in district action.

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