MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / October 25, 2000

RESERVE – East St. John used a balance attack to defeat Central Lafourche,35-14, Friday night.

The Wildcats will look to keep it up as they host South Terrebonne Friday.

The game is the Wildcats’ first at home in three weeks. Kickoff isscheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Joe Keller Stadium.The victory at Central Lafourche improved East St. John to 6-2 overall and3-1 in District 7-5A. A win Friday night over South Terrebonne coupledwith a Hahnville loss to Destrehan would create a three-team logjam atop the district standings.

East St. John had 458 yards against the Trojans, rushing for 201 yards andpassing for 257 yards. Chuckie Burl ran for 199 yards and a touchdown.Darwin Pittman completed 15 of his 30 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns. The defense held Central Lafourche to 37 yards passing andintercepted two passes.

East St. John got on the scoreboard first on a 6-yard pass from Pittman toMervin Williams. Central Lafourche tied the game at 7 heading into thesecond quarter on a 49-yard run by Shane Eschete. Brandon Mason scoredon a 4-yard run and Pittman connected with Wade Walker on an 18-yard pass to give the Wildcats a 21-7 halftime lead.

A 29-yard pass from Pittman to Louis Gardner and a 6-yard touchdown run by Burl increased that lead to 35-7 heading into the fourth quarter.

Central Lafourche got a final score on a 5-yard run by Dorion Scott.

Pittman has followed in the footsteps of Franklin McKinnis and Floyd Smith at quarterback without skipping a beat. This year, he has alreadythrown for 1,350 yards and 11 touchdowns. The running game has helpedout, led by Burl, who has rushed for 828 yards and four touchdowns. RaydelPatterson, with 30 receptions, and Wade Walker, with 20, have been Pittman’s major targets.

The defense has also not had a drop off this year. The Wildcats haveallowed just 51 points in four district games and 98 points overall in eight games. That streak includes three shutouts.That defense will be going against a South Terrebonne team that has struggled offensively this season, especially in district. The Gators havebeen shut out three times in district play and have scored just 113 points all season.

South Terrebonne did get its first district victory Friday, defeating Thibodaux, 18-3. The victory improved the Gators to 1-3 in district and 3-5 overall.

South Terrebonne gained 253 yards in offense in the game, 211 on the ground. Paul McKinley carried 14 times for 88 yards and a touchdown.William Lyons added 86 yards on 19 carries. Brennan Sevin completed 2-of-6 passes for 42 yards and a touchdown.

The South Terrebonne defense allowed 229 yards but forced three turnovers and held Thibodaux to a field goal in the fourth quarter.

That defense is led by Mark Stevenson at end and Jonathan Vincent and Robbie Robichaux at linebacker.

Last year, East St. John out-lasted South Terrebonne, 49-34. Floyd Smithpassed for 278 yards and a school-record five touchdowns, four to Roydell Williams.

East St. John closes out the regular season at South Lafourche next Friday.

Return To Sports Stories

Copyright © #Thisyear# Wick Communications, Inc.Best viewed with 4.0 or higher