By LEONARD GRAY

EDGARD – West St. John legged up another step on the playoff ladder, sending the Vinton Lions packing and chalking up a 41-7 victory, as Thomas Augusta scored three of the Rams’ six touchdowns.

Surprisingly, neither team scored in the first quarter and it wasn’t until 8:44 remained in the second quarter when Randall Nicholson broke the ice with a one-yard touchdown run.

The drive began off a punt reception at mid-field by West St. John and broke wide open with a 21-yard scramble up the middle by Quinn Johnson. Nicholson also contributed a 21-yard run of his own to shatter the Lion defense and set up the touchdown. Marcus Isom posted the PAT and West St. John led 7-0.

The next Rams’ score came later in the same period and was set up with 4:47 remaining when sophomore defensive back Ray Bartholomew picked off a Derek Cormier pass at the Ram 42-yard line. Six plays later, Augusta pulled in the pass for the 26-yard touchdown. Isom’s PAT made it 14-0.

Vinton threatened late in the first half, but their shot ended with an Initius Howard interception at the goal line and runback to mid-field as the clock ran out. Halfway through the third quarter, Johnson opened up again and scored on a one-yard dash, capping a three-play drive which began with linebacker Darrell Morris picking off his own interception at the Vinton 23-yard line. An illegal block call on the Rams backed the ball back to the Vinton 46, but Initius Howard scrambled back 32 yards to help set up Johnson’s TD. Isom’s PAT made it 21-0.

The next Rams score came with 2:29 remaining in the third quarter and began with a punt reception by West St. John at the Lions 47-yard line. This time, it took three plays to score and again, it was Johnson who had the long legs, making a 24-yard to set up Patrick Jackson to score from the Vinton 23-yard line. Isom rounded off the score at 28-0.

Augusta scored again early in the fourth quarter on a 12-yard pass reception, capping a drive which began with a punt reception at mid-field. It was Nicholson’s running ability which moved the ball, as he grabbed up a 38-yard play during the drive. The PAT was wide right, and West St. John had a 34-0 lead with 10:55 remaining in the game.

The last Rams’ score came with Augusta scoring on a punt return, heading from midfield to the touchdown. The PAT by Isom was good for the 41-0 lead.

When junior linebacker Jeremy Moll was told, “You don’t see too many scores like this in the playoffs,” Moll responded with a broad smile: “I’ve been seeing it the past two years.”