By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

As East St. John coach Larry Dauterive entered the offseason, one of his challenges was to find a way to replace the production of departed All-State rusher Johnny Owen. As of last week’s jamboree, the backfield picture was still muddy.

Consider it much clearer today. All courtesy of Alex Singleton.

Singleton carried the ball twelve times for 125 yards, and completed a pass for 38 yards and a touchdown, helping to lead East St. John to a victory over Patterson, 28-7.

&#8220He’s a force,” Dauterive said. &#8220That’s 222 pounds of man out there.”

Dauterive said that he expects to increase Singleton’s workload substantially this Friday night, as the Wildcats host 2A champion John Curtis. Not only will he play running back, but he’ll play a bit at quarterback as well, after finding wide receiver David Hampton downfield on his touchdown pass.

&#8220That let the cat out of the bag a bit,” Dauterive said of Singleton’s passing ability. &#8220He just took over the game.”

Perhaps just as impressive as the running game of East St. John, which tallied 348 yards total on the ground, was the Wildcats’ defensive play, which limited an explosive Patterson to seven points.

&#8220They’re a quality team that scared the heck out of me,” Dauterive said. &#8220Our defensive coaches had a great plan. We bent, but didn’t break but one time against a team with so many weapons.”

Running back Reynaldo Young rushed eight times for 67 yards. Quarterback Kalen Henderson ran for a touchdown.