By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

 

BOSSIER CITY — East St. John coach Phillip Banko spoke with his players in one final 2012 post game gathering, his Wildcats’ season just ending at the hands of host Airline, 30-20 in a Class 5A bi-district playoff game.

The Wildcats finished their year 5-5 and in the first round of the postseason, a far cry from where ESJ envisioned itself in August, when it was ranked No. 9 in the LSWA preseason Class 5A poll.

But for a team that lost everything after Hurricane Issac, and for a team that dealt with one setback after another all season long, Banko could be nothing but proud of his players and coaching staff.

“I’ve coached a lot of teams,” Banko recounted telling his players. “And a lot of them have finished better than 5-5.

“But this was the most enjoyable, satisfying season I’ve ever coached. I’m always proud of my players. But I am so proud of them for everything they’ve overcome this season.”

East St. John (5-5) went two weeks without its own practice facility after Issac, which flooded ESJ and left the team without a fieldhouse, weight room, film room, training room or locker room.

“They never complained a bit,” said Banko.

But sixth-seeded Airline (9-2), on this night, proved too high a mountain to climb.

The Vikings led 30-6 in the fourth quarter, but East St. John fought back in the final frame. Leonard Davis began a comeback bid by finding Ahmani Martin for a 5-yard score to make it 30-12 — that one-play drive was set up by a Daren Darensburg interception.

ESJ’s defense held for a stop and the Wildcats drove for another touchdown, this drive spanning 70 yards and capped by a Davis 14-yard scoring toss to Kadeem Vance.

But though ESJ recovered an onside kick, Airline held and the Wildcats weren’t able to put another dent in the deficit.

Hayden Hildebrand tossed three touchdown passes to lead the Vikings.

Airline took advantage of a trio of special teams mistakes by ESJ, turning three errant punt snaps into 10 points.

“We were down a few players. Sophomores are pressed into duty, we’ve got eight starting,” said Banko. “But these guys all left it on the field. They can walk away proud, having done that.”

Banko noted a number of players were tearful after the game.

“Even some of the younger players, who didn’t get into the game. That tells me they care. It tells me this means something to them, and that we’re headed in the right direction.”