MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / August 22, 2000

ST. ROSE – “The best jamboree in the state.” “A great situation.”Those were just some of the comments local coaches had about the Roussel Goodyear River Parishes Jamboree that kicks off the 2000 prep football season this week.

St. Charles Catholic and East St. John kick it all off at Hahnville Thursday at6:30 p.m. Hahnville and Lutcher will follow at approximately 8 p.m. The following night at Destrehan, Riverside and St. James open thefestivities at 6:30 p.m. Destrehan and West St. John close it out beginning atapproximately 8 p.m.The games will consist of two 15-minute halves. There will be live kicking andthe players are on their own on the field unlike in scrimmages.

The local coaches and their staffs, members of the respective school’s administrations and St. Charles Parish School Board and School System staffcame together to discuss the jamboree at the annual River Parishes Dinner held Monday night at American Legion Post 366 in St. Rose. All were inagreement that the jamboree is one of the best in the state.

“This is a great tribute to the River Parishes,” St. Charles Catholic headcoach Frank Monica said of the jamboree. “Thank you for putting on thisshowcase for high school football throughout the state.”East St. John principal Debra Schum represented her school at the dinner.She expressed thanks for all those who offered prayers and support for Rashad Williams, his family and the school during the past week.

“We appreciate everybody’s concerns,” Schum said.

The jamboree has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception eight years ago. Lutcher head coach Tim Detillier said there has been discussion aboutgetting it televised and that it came very close to be done so this year.

“It’s a great function and we show how proud we are to showcase it,” Detillier said.

“Some of the best football is right here. You just have to look at theplayoffs. We would like to keep the jamboree going and one day it will be liveand in color.”Detillier’s counterpart Thursday night, Hahnville head coach Lou Valdin, joked about how his team has been playing but said he is looking forward to playing Thursday night.

“We just want to get better every game,” Valdin said.

St. James head coach Rick Gaille said the jamboree has gotten to be one ofthe best in the state because everybody involved pulls together.

“We’re all competitors but the spirit of the game wins out,” Gaille said. “Allthe schools exemplify the way the game should be played. They all embodythe spirit of football. This is the premier jamboree in Louisiana.”Riverside head coach Mickey Roussel, whose brother sponsors the event, agreed with his counterpart Friday night.

“It’s a great event,” Roussel said. “It’s good for the fans, it’s good for thecoaches. You know every year you are going to face a team that is well-coached. We’re just pleased to be a part of this.”West St. John head coach Laury Dupont also wanted to thank the membersof the American Legion for hosting the dinner and those who cooked it.

“This is the greatest jamboree in the state,” Dupont said. “There is greatwork between the schools. We’re excited about playing Destrehan andexcited about the jamboree.”Destrehan’s Stephen Robicheaux, in his first year as head coach, echoed Dupont’s sentiments, adding that there are not many events where fans can see all the teams in the area play.

“We’re really excited about this jamboree,” Robicheaux said. “It’s a situationthat allows everybody to get together and watch all eight teams in two nights and that’s something special. It’s one of the finest situations we canhave.”

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