By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

Coaches and fans likely have had this Friday circled on their calendar for months now as the local prep football schedule for this week includes showdowns between the fiercest St. John Parish and St. Charles Parish rivals. It also marks the best chance for a River Parishes team, the 7-1 St. James Wildcats, to challenge nationally-ranked John Curtis.

St. John Parish Rivarly

The Riverside Rebels (3-4,0-3) are looking to play the role of the spoiler as they host the St. Charles Catholic Comets (7-1,1-1) in the last game of the season for the home squad.

The Rebels are coming to the end of a disappointing district stretch after starting the season strong on two convincing victories against White Castle and Newman. But Riverside lost a heartbreaker to Desire Street Academy just more than a month ago and the Rebels woes only continued facing overpowering teams such as St. John of Plaquemine and St. James who outscored them 70-6 combined.

The Rebels played hard in each loss, and although they are already eliminated from playoff contention, the game is a must win for the Comets who are competing with St. James for the district runner-up spot.

St. Charles is playing inspired ball, their only loss coming from the merciless Curtis squad that has terrorized its way to an undefeated record thus far. Riverside may not be playing for a playoff spot, but they are playing for pride and a chance to spoil the playoff hopes of their divisional rival in St. Charles.

The Comets are coming in strong behind junior running back Jonathan Cancienne, quarterback Philip Sutton, and senior wide receiver Chase Fletcher to lead a young squad with talent in just about every area.

The Rebels are not without firepower of their own riding the arm of junior quarterback Wade Laiche, junior running back Jarid Caesar, senior ironman Taylor Bleakley who gets in on both sides of the ball as cornerback and defensive back. Look for seniors Donny Terrio and Eric Norsworthy to get through the line for at least a few tackles.

Cat Scratch Fever

The Destrehan/Hahnville meeting is a St. Charles Parish rivalry that is finally swinging the Wildcats’ way. This Friday, the Destrehan squad takes a top five state ranking into the game and looks to remain undefeated as they challenge for the lead in 5-5A. Hahnville has lost three straight since district opened, falling to East St. John, John Ehret and West Jefferson.

The Tigers would like to play the role of spoiler in this one, but Destrehan hasn’t missed a beat even after losing one of the state’s most prolific quarterback’s to injury. The Wildcat’s third string QB from the beginning of the season, Ramaal Ellis, has taken the reigns and been productive in his two starts in passing to wide receivers Tim Molten, Edwin Reed and Damaris Johnson. Hahnville’s defense has been a strength so this one might not be as high-scoring as some of Destrehan’s other games have been this season.

And if the Tigers can get their offense clicking early, this year’s game should be much like the others – decided in the final minutes. Quarterback Larry James and offensive workhorse Jordan Stefany will need to be as productive as always.

St. James and Goliath

Everyone knows that Curtis is a giant in the prep football world. But St. James isn’t exactly a hobbit.

The Wildcats have a talented squad this season and a defense that has held opponents to 56 points through eight games of play. That’s an average of only one touchdown per game.

On offense, the Wildcats are averaging more than 40 points per game. Their only loss came to Destrehan, one of the most powerful ranked teams in Class 5A, in a nail-biter that ended 6-10.

Curtis meanwhile is a force to be reckoned with as always. They defeated one of the nation’s most respected programs in Hoover, Alabama several weeks ago and have been trouncing teams in their district since play opened for 10-2A two weeks ago.

The pressure will be on St. James as the game is set for a 7 p.m. kickoff in River Ridge.