Tonight’s River Parish Matchups:

 

John Ehret (0-4) at East St. John (1-3) — It’s the first home game of 2012 for the Wildcats, and it figures to be an emotional night as it will also be the school’s first varsity home game of any kind since Hurricane Issac flooded the school. The Wildcats, at 1-3, need a win to start district on the right foot and keep district hopes alive. Ehret is winless, but has played an extremely difficult predistrict schedule — much as the Wildcats have — making for a contest of teams likely much better than the records indicate.

 

St. Charles (2-2) at Donaldsonville (1-4) — The Comets open District 7-3A play at Donaldsonville in what will be St. Charles’ stiffest test since its Week 2 loss at Northshore. Donaldsonville brings dual quarterback Leandre James to the table and an explosive spread offense. The Comets have dominated via the ground game for two consecutive weeks, and one would expect SCC to attempt to ground-and-pound against a Tigers’ defense that allowed 306 rushing yards to Block last week.

 

West St. John (1-3) at Ascension Christian (0-4) — The Rams went 9-1 in Class 1A play last season, only losing in the Class 1A state championship game. The Rams have a good chance to get off on the right foot again in 1A lay as it travels for its District 9-1A opener. ACHS is winless in four games, and one might expect the 1-3 Rams, who began the season atop the Class 1A rankings, to have a chip on their shoulder after three consecutive defeats that were decided late.

 

Riverside (0-4, 0-2) at Cohen (0-4, 0-2) — Riverside scored 50 points against the last foe it faced not nationally ranked in the top three (Re: John Curtis) and might reach that number again against a Cohen team that’s been outscored 201-6 over its first four games. Watch out for the “Cheeto”: Riverside debuted the unique formation last week that sees quarterback Deuce Wallace line up at punter depth, and the team might refine it a bit tonight.

 

Lutcher (4-0, 2-0) at Istrouma (1-3, 1-1) — Istrouma looks improved from a year ago, but it would take a mighty upset to keep the Bulldogs from moving to 5-0. The one thing the Bulldogs must avoid is looking ahead to a District 6-4A showcase matchup with St. Michael next week.

 

St. James (0-4) at Port Allen (3-1) — A season ago, St. James pushed eventual state quarterfinalist Port Allen before falling 26-21. This season’s Wildcats team will likely be anxious to put predistrict behind them — the chance for a new start might inspire them. Port Allen has scored 40 or more points in three of four games this season — the Wildcats will need their defense, and more than likely their best offensive output of the season.

 

Higgins (2-2) at Destrehan (1-2) — Destrehan established itself as a 5A threat with a win over West Jefferson two weeks ago. Tonight, it attempts to show that it’s a major threat for a district crown as well as it travels to the Westbank to face a Higgins team that earned a split of the District 8-5A crown a year ago.