By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

EDGARD — It all ended here, one year ago, for West St. John, as it’s hopes of a state championship run crashed down at the hands of eventual champion White Castle in the bi-district round of the Class 1A state playoffs.

The Rams’ standout defense limited the explosive Bulldogs, a district rival, to 24 points over two games in 2010, but could not get enough going offensively to earn a district title or advance. They would watch White Castle win four more games after the bi-district round, wondering if it could have been them but for a play here or there.

Many of those same players will be on West St. John’s practice field today, as the sixth-seeded Rams bear down in preparation for No. 27 Sacred Heart-Ville Platte. But while many of the names and faces are the same, it’s a different team, a largely veteran group that boasts an ever-dominating defense once more, but that also brings an offense that has matured.

West St. John (8-2) mixes some longtime veteran playmakers, like seniors Jarius Moll, a jack of all trades, and Ronnie Feist, an LSU commitment at linebacker, with the younger guard, like sophomore quarterback Austin Howard and junior tailback Kylum Favorite.

West St. John was to be even younger at tailback this season, with freshman Jeremy Jackson starting the season after a breakout 2010. Injuries have kept him largely sidelined, however, and Favorite has run for over 1,300 yards with ferocity.

That running game has been rolling along for weeks, and West St. John coach Robert Valdez said that it must continue for WSJ to go where it wants to go. But whether it’s running or passing, the buzzword this week is tempo.

“We’ve been working on it, increasing our tempo,” he said. “We want to go as fast as we can, and in the playoffs, take it to another level. Sacred Heart looks good on film and they’ve played some good people, like we have. But we want to see if they can keep up with our tempo.”

The Rams mix up spread and run-based formations, and when Howard takes to the air, it’s Moll he’s usually looking for. West St. John has a deep stable of weapons, as Lawrence Williams and Austin Terry have each been touchdown makers over the past few weeks.

But Moll has been the lead dog in the receiving corps for three years; his four touchdowns two weeks ago against St. John proved once again that he is one of 1A’s most dangerous players. One of those scores was on a punt return, a feat he repeated in Friday’s win over East Iberville. He also scored a touchdown on offense and intercepted two passes at defensive back, which brings to light his true value: there is no way to keep Moll on the sideline. As he plays heavily in all three phases, other teams can’t hide from him.

“Jarius has a competitive edge that’s as great as anyone’s that I’ve seen in my life,” said Valdez. “He wants to compete and be great at everything he tries his hand at. In 1A, you see a lot of guys go two ways, but rarely on offense, defense, and then special teams. Other teams have to account for him in all phases.”

Sacred Heart began the season on a major roll, going 6-1 in its first seven games. But its play fell off in District 6-1A, and the Trojans fell in their final three games, all by two touchdowns or more.

West St. John might seemingly have been ripe for a letdown last week, eight days after beating archrival St. John and a week prior to the playoffs.

But East Iberville had so such luck in their draw, as WSJ rolled to a 65-8 win and secured their spot as the sole district champion in 9-1A, finishing with a 5-0 district record.

Favorite needed just six carries to post 151 yards and two touchdowns. Howard topped 1,000 yards passing for the season, finishing with an efficient 8 of 9 for 130 yards and a score.

Sean Cannon and Tevin Smith each scored two touchdowns. Austin Terry and Lawrence Williams each rushed for touchdowns. Moll scored a rushing touchdown and returned a punt for another score.

WSJ led 46-0 at halftime.