By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

KENNER – West St. John coach Robert Valdez wanted his team to see some Class 5A competition to begin readying for its jamboree clash with East St. John, and that’s exactly what the Rams got Saturday morning at Bonnabel.

WSJ’s “spring game” scrimmage came against a pair of foes this year, as for the first time the Rams participated in a three-way matchup with Bonnabel and Scotlandville, as the first teams of each squad rotated and competed with one another. The Rams fell 6-0 to Bonnabel and 12-0 to Scotlandville in the unofficial games.

West St. John was able to move the ball against its competitors, however, and particularly looked crisp in the running game at times. Tailback Jeremy Jackson appeared to score on a long pass from quarterback Austin Howard, but a block in the back well behind the play negated the score. Defensively, an interception by Rams cornerback Trey Nathan  also appeared destined for paydirt; but turnovers were blown dead by the day’s scrimmage rules.

“We got some good work in against two very tough, physical 5A teams,” said Valdez. “You see where your kids are and where you can hang your hat. We moved the ball pretty well and we just couldn’t punch it in. Some miscues, some drops and penalties … we’ve got to clean that up.”

Valdez said the format provided a good way to get a feel for his team against multiple looks. On the flip side, he said a drawback was that it was hard to get into a true game-rhythm while the teams rotated.

But he got the intensity he wanted from his players.

“We’re a work in progress. But I love the effort,” he said. “Guys were flying around.”

Despite the result, the Rams left the field with a seemingly positive impression among themselves.

“We did alright. We know we can get a lot better though, in every phase,” said Jackson. “I was encouraged. I felt like we ran effectively most of the time. We wanted to challenge ourselves against some bigger teams. If we can do it against Class 5A, we should be able to do it against anyone.”

Jackson enters the spring as the team’s lead back after splitting carries with current Southern-signee Kylum Favorite. He said he’s embracing the challenge.

“I feel good,” he said. “Like someone’s looking up to me now. I’ve got to be the guy setting the example for our younger guys, so they can see me do what I do in a positive way for our team.”

West St. John linebacker Brandon Matthews concurred with Jackson’s “good, but can get better” sentiment, and said the day’s efforts shed some light on what – and who – the Rams can count on in the fall.

“It was a very good test,” he said. “A chance to see who’s gonna step up and play. I think we did well. There’s still a lot of work to do.”

Jackson and Howard’s negated near touchdown connection left the day’s first set between the Ram and Bruin first teams a scoreless tie.

West St. John drove into the Bruins’ redzone in their next crack at it. Howard connected with Bradley Borne and Matthews for gains of eight and 11 yards. A 17-yard Jackson run off tackle set WSJ up in opposing territory, and an 8-yard scramble by Howard and another 15-yard Jackson run made it first and 10 at the Bonnabel 11. But the Bruins held, the threat ending after three consecutive incompletions, including a dropped potential score.

The Rams stopped Bonnabel on each of its next three sets of downs, the second on Nathan’s interception. But Bonnabel finally struck on a big play, Jamal Evans’ leaping, jump ball grab from quarterback Dustin Ballard that went for a 56-yard touchdown. Evans leapt over the back of his defender for the catch and stayed on his feet.

Against Scotlandville, Howard and Jackson connected for a 29-yard play to put the Rams at the opposition’s 26. That came on a fourth down call. Scotlandville picked up a sack, though, and halted any further Ram progress. A sack of Howard ended the Rams’ next possession in a three-and-out

Scotlandville scored on its first set against the Rams’ defense, Darion Williams dialing up Jamari Nelson on a fade route in the endzone for a four-yard touchdown on fourth down.

Scotlandville scored to begin its second session against the Rams on Williams’ 70-yard screen pass to Kaleb Harmon.

Rams’ linebacker Jordae Gauthier made some big tackles for loss in the game.

Defensive back Jimmy Connor intercepted a pass in the final set of the day for the Rams’ defense.