MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / September 30, 2000

NEW ORLEANS – The West St. John defense has come up with one big playafter another this season.

But none may have been bigger than the one Sandy Harris made in the closing minutes of the Rams’ 18-16 victory over Newman Thursday night at Michael Lupin Field.

With the Greenies in position for a possible game-winning field goal, Harris sacked Newman quarterback Damion Carter for a 9-yard loss to the Rams 30 with less than two minutes left. Todd Rhoden’s subsequent 47-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left with 1:22 left, preserving the Rams’ win.

West St. John improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in District 9-2A play withthe win. Newman fell to 3-2 overall and 0-1 in district play.West St. John finished with 310 yards in offense. Randall Nicholsoncompleted 12-of-22 passes for 199 yards. Aaron Sylvain caught seven ofthose passes for 117 yards. The Rams also rushed for 111 yards on 31carries, led by Devin Herbert with 98 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. Jamailar Mayho added 14 yards on three carries, including a 10-yard touchdown.

Newman had 248 yards in offense, 160 coming on 36 carries. MilesClements had 75 yards and a touchdown on 23 attempts. Marsh Moseley hadanother 63 yards on seven carries. Moseley also completed 4-of-19 passesfor 54 yards.

West St. John had taken an 18-13 with 11:47 left in the game on a 1-yarddive by Herbert. Newman answered with a nine-play, 40-play drive thatculminated in a 37-yard field goal with 8:15 remaining. The Rams then putthe game in the hands of their defense. Newman took over at its 47 on itsnext possession but was held to one yard and was forced to punt. After theGreenies held the Rams, Newman took over at midfield with 3:36 left in the game.

On first down, Chandler Malone made a diving catch on the left sidelines on a pass from Carter, giving the Greenies a first down at the Rams 16.

Dwayne Johnson wrapped up Clements after a yard gain on the next play and Carter fumbled a pitch on an option on second down, setting up third- and-15 from the 21. Carter then rolled right but was chased down frombehind by Harris at the 30.

It was the latest in big plays by the Rams defense in the second half. Onits first possession of the second half, Newman drove from its 42 to the West St. John 15 behind completions of 18 and 10 yards from Moseley toHunter Powell. But the Rams held at that point as Herbert tipped away apass in the end zone. On the 32-yard field goal attempt, the snap was highand Rhoden sent a low kick that was blocked by Lionel Howard.

The Rams offense, which had been held in check in the first half, immediately took advantage behind a bit of trickery. On first down fromthe 20, Nicholson handed off to Herbert. Herbert swept left then handedoff to Haven Gaudet coming from the right side. Gaudet pitched back toNicholson on the flea-flicker with Nicholson finding Davin Farnell wide open on the left sidelines for a 64-yard gain to the Newman 16.

The play energized the Rams. On the next play, Nicholson found Sylvain onthe left sidelines for a 14-yard gain down to the 2. Herbert then followedAlonzo Edwards off right guard for the score. The try for two failed,leaving the score tied at 6 with 6:35 left in the third quarter.

The West St. John defense held and Herbert returned the ensuing punt tomidfield. On the first play, Herbert shot up the middle for a 37-yard gainto the Newman 13. Two plays later, Mayho swept around the left side anddove into the end zone to complete a 10-yard run. Again, the try for twofailed but the Rams had taken a 12-6 lead at the 2:56 mark of the third quarter.

Newman momentarily regained momentum as Moseley scrambled 13 yards to the Greenies 42. On fourth-and-1 from the West St. John 44, Moseleykept around the right side for a first down at the 22. Clements took it inon the next play on a sweep to the right side. Rhoden added the extra point,giving Newman a 13-12 lead with 49 seconds left in the third quarter.

West St. John drove right down the field on its next possession. On firstdown from the 20, Herbert swept left and cut down the sidelines for a 32- yard gain to the Newman 48. On the next play, Sylvain made a diving catchfor a 37-yard gain to the 11. Darnell Landry gave the Rams a first down atthe one on a 8-yard sweep on the first play of the fourth quarter. Herbertthen followed the block of Coy Miller into the end zone. The try for twowas no good, making it 18-13 with 11:47 left in the game.

The first half was one dominated by defense and special teams. Bothteams were held throughout the first quarter with Newman picking up three first downs and West St. John one through the first 12 minutes. TheGreenies took a 6-0 lead into halftime thanks to field goals of 32 and 53 by Rhoden.

West St. John got a drive going late in the half. Sylvain made a slidingcatch of a Nicholson’s pass for a 15-yard gain to the 35. On third-and-10from the 35, Nicholson found Sylvain on the left sidelines for 25-yard gain to the Newman 40. Nicholson came right back with a 15-yard pass toGaudet on the right sidelines, giving the Rams a first down at the Newman 25. Nicholson then hit Sylvain for seven yards to the 18 before theGreenies held.

West St. John returns home Friday to play Buras while Newman hostsFisher.

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