By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Last year, West St. John eliminated Hamilton Christian from the Class 1A state playoffs, 40-24, in a bi-district matchup. On Friday night, both teams came in much improved from last year and ready for a rematch.

The result did not change.

The visiting Rams eliminated No. 4 seeded Hamilton Christian for the second straight season, 30-14, and will advance now to the quarterfinals to face No. 5 Kentwood. Kentwood defeated Haynesville 41-14 in the regional round to advance.

“We were able to get on top early, a big plus in this game,” said West St. John Coach Laury Dupont. “They struggled a bit having to play from behind all game.”

The Rams (7-5), the No. 13 seed in this year’s tournament, have now won seven straight games after starting the season 0-5, with an average victory margin of 27 points.

Dupont said that a major key to the game was the Rams ability to slow down dynamic Warrior quarterback Kyle Peterson, Hamilton Christian’s most dangerous weapon.

“We gave him some different looks defensively, dictated by down and distance,” said Dupont. “We did a good job containing him, and really didn’t give up the big play.”

Kenneth Dabney kicked off the scoring by finishing a Rams drive with a 9-yard touchdown run. He followed that with a short plunge for a two-point conversion to give West St. John an 8-0 lead.

But Peterson drove his team down the field and answered with a 3-yard score of his own. The conversion attempt failed and the Rams still led 8-6.

Late in the first quarter, the Rams got their first explosive play of the night when Romell Howard took a handoff and rumbled for a 57-yard touchdown to make it 14-6.

The Rams established a two score lead in the second quarter when Dabney scored his second touchdown of the game, a 2-yard run to make it 20-6. Dray Joseph found Raynard Thomas for a two-point conversion to put the Rams ahead by 16 at halftime, 22-6.

Peterson notched his first touchdown pass of the game in the third quarter and drew the Warriors (10-2) within ten, when he found Sam Bowers for a 9-yard score. He followed that with a run for two to make it a one-possession game.

But in the fourth quarter, Dabney capped a long Rams drive with his third touchdown of the contest, a nine yard run that made it 28-14. Joseph threw for his second conversion of the game when he found Howard, making it 30-14.

West St. John controlled the ground game, outrushing Hamilton Christian 213-192. In particular, the Rams seized control of the line of scrimmage in the second half, wearing down the Warrior defense and killing the clock.

“The whole offensive line, Romell, Kenneth, all did a great job, especially in the fourth quarter,” said Dupont. “We just put the big boys back there and pounded the ball with success. I give Hamilton Christian credit though, they kept playing and never quit.”