By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

LAPLACE – West St. John coach Robert Valdez will be dealing with something of a mixed bag when it comes to on-field experience for the upcoming season.
Valdez will have one of the most experienced backfields in the state at his disposal in Austin Howard and Jeremy Jackson, each seniors who have earned heavy playing time from their freshman and 8th grade seasons respectively. At the same time, the Rams defense, perennially a cornerstone of West St. John’s success, must replace eight starters from a year ago.
But Valdez likes what he sees from this bunch, even in the face of the great expectations yielded from finishes as a state runner-up and semifinalist in each of the past two seasons.
“This group is very, very hard-working. Which isn’t to say that the teams we had before didn’t work hard,” said Valdez. “But this group of players especially so.”
Since Valdez took over the program in 2008, the Rams have remained a team that makes its hay in the running game. But how it goes about the business of running the football has changed gradually, from Laury Dupont’s big power-sets back in 2007 to the team’s spread the field philosophy in 2012.
Last season saw the Rams arrive at the extreme of the “new school” offensive philosophies, as West St. John went all-in on an Oregon Ducks-style no-huddle, hurry-up attack. It paid serious dividends as the Rams set a new precedent for themselves in terms of offensive efficiency throughout its 1A schedule.
That change began, Valdez said, with Howard. The then-junior quarterback passed for 2,081 yards and 23 scores against just three interceptions on the season. With over 30 starts under his belt – including nine in the postseason – Valdez expects big things.
“In terms of recruiting, I think he’s the best quarterback in the state. I really do,” said Valdez. “You look at what you need a quarterback to do from week to week, and he does it all. It’s so important to be able to count on a high level of play from that position. We’ve got a good one. He’s our catalyst. If he were a little taller, he’d be a sure blue chipper.”
Howard has led West St. John to a 19-2 record against Class 1A foes over the past two seasons. The Rams have also played a number of upper-classification squads over that span, their predistrict schedule usually designed to challenge the team before district.
“When you look at him passing for over 2,000 yards, with just three interceptions … he’s going through his progressions and understanding how to put us in good situations,” said Valdez. “He understands how to make people around him better.’
“We made the switch to this hurry-up offense because we knew we had Austin Howard. We knew he could handle it. The plan, for us, is to give him even more freedom this year to put us in good situations.”
Jackson needed just 122 carries to rush for 1,135 yards and 13 scores. He added 435 yards and six more touchdowns on 27 catches. That production came in a time-share with 2012 L’Observateur Offensive MVP Kylum Favorite. Favorite has since moved on to Southern, leaving Jackson with the lead role.
Valdez plans to make the most of his star tailback’s versatility.
“It’ll be a lot like, ‘Where’s Waldo?’ said Valdez. “The defense is gonna have to find where he is, because we’ll be lining him up everywhere, be it as a back or a wide receiver. It’ll be a game of, ‘Where’s Jeremy?’”
Keith Miller will return as the team’s most experienced receiver. A big offensive line will be led by Marvin Pierre, who started at center a year ago.
Defensively, Valdez said he feels like the team has a leader at every level. Brandon Matthews moves to defensive end after starting at linebacker last season. Koi Rainey will step into the linebacker’s leadership role vacated by the graduated Dontre Turner, while Kylon Adams is the top returning playmaker in the secondary.
“We’ll be a little faster, quicker up front on defense, but not as big,” said Valdez.
The team’s summer work all comes in preparation for its week one opponent: rival St. James.
This season will mark the first official “Railroad Classic” game between the teams, an idea hatched by Valdez and first year St. James coach Dwain Jenkins. A trophy will be awarded to the winner of the annual rivalry game, who will hold it and bragging rights for a year to come.
“It’s as good a rivalry as you can get,” said Valdez. “So this just puts even a little more spice into it.”