MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / November 11, 2000

RESERVE – East St. John”s literally broke through against John F. KennedyFriday night in the Class 5A bi-district playoffs at Joe Keller Stadium.

Darwin Pittman, Chuckie Burl and Louis Gardner all broke tackles on their way to touchdowns as the Wildcats defeated the Cougars, 34-6.

The victory advanced the Wildcats (9-2) to the regionals against the winner of Shaw and Catholic of Baton Rouge.. Kennedy finished at 8-3.Pittman guided East St. John to 441 yards in offense. He completed 15-of-27 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another 28 yards and a score on four carries. Gardner caught six passes for 74 yardsand two touchdowns. Raydel Patterson had five catches for 62 yards. Burlcarried 23 times for 172 yards and a touchdown as the Wildcats ran for 259 yards. Burl had 132 yards at the half.The East St. John defense limited Kennedy to 121 yards in offense. MichaelRichard gained 65 yards of them on 14 carries. Lenell Hudson completed 6-of-10 passes for 42 yards, none longer than 11 yards. The Cougars couldmanage only 72 yards in the second half.

Pittman guided the Wildcats 65 yards in eight plays on the opening drive of the game. Pittman hit Gardner twice on the drive and Burl carried threetimes for nine yards. On third-and-one from the Kennedy 34, Pittman carriedon a dive up the middle, broke through the line and went down the middle of the field for the touchdown. Chance Blank added the extra point, making it 7-0 with 7:34 left in the opening quarter.

Kennedy drove to the East St. John 42 on its second possession but JonasJones sacked Lenell Hudson for a 12-yard loss on fourth down on the final play of the first quarter. It was Jones’ second sack of the quarter. He wouldcombine with Bryson White and Kirston Pittman on another in the second half and also recover a fumble.

East St. John took over at its 37 two possessions later. On the first play,Burl took a handoff, went off left guard, broke through, broke another tackle inside the 15 and cut in for the score from 63 yards out. Blank”s extra pointincreased the lead to 14-0 with 8:10 left in the half.

It did not take Kennedy long to answer. Terence Jones took the ensuingkickoff at his 12 and went down the middle of the field for 71 yards before being hauled down from behind at the 17 by Mervin Williams. David Garrettbulled twice up the middle to the 2 where on second down, Hudson went off right tackle for the touchdown. Hudson was stopped on the conversion,keeping the score at 14-6 with 7:08 remaining in the half.

East St. John took over at its 34 on its next possession and drove to theKennedy 14 in six plays. Burl had the big play of the drive, a 22-yard run offthe left side on second-and-15 from the Wildcats’ 41. But on second-and-onefrom the 14, Burl fumbled at the 11 and Ocie Sherrod recovered for the Cougars.

The Wildcats held as Vegas Franklin sacked Hudson for a 12-yard loss at the Kennedy six. Brandon Mason returned the ensuing punt to the 33. Burlcarried on a draw for 15 yards on third-and-12 at the 35 to keep the drive alive.

Three plays later, Pittman hit Gardner on the right side. Gardner sweptaround the right side, out-racing the defenders to the right side for the score from 20 yards out. Gardner had dropped a potential touchdown pass inthe back of the end zone two plays earlier. Blank connected on the extrapoint, making it 21-6 with 39.7 seconds remaining.East St. John added to its lead on its second possession of the second half,driving 64 yards in nine plays.

The Wildcats did it with the passing game this time as Pittman hit Raydel Patterson for 15 yards, then came back with a nine-yard strike to Wade Walker. A nine-yard pass to Patterson gave the Wildcats a first down at the37.

Four plays later, Pittman swung a pass to Williams on the left side. Williamswent down the sidelines, racing in for the score from 22 yards out. Blank”spoint after increased the lead to 28-6 with 3:21 left in the third quarter.

Kennedy drove to the East St. John 37 late in the third quarter but wasstopped. Three possessions later, the Wildcats took it in, going 42 yards infour plays. On fourth-and-eight from the 40, Pittman hit Gardner over themiddle. Gardner broke a tackle inside the 10 and went in for the score. Theextra point was no good but the Wildcats led, 34-6, with 5:10 left.

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