By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

 LAPLACE — West St. John didn’t just win District 8-1A — the Rams terrorized it.

West St. John’s 57-22 victory over White Castle secured an outright district crown for the Rams and ended a district season that saw West St. John outscore its five opponents by an average score of 56-13.

Rams’ tailback Jeremy Jackson scored five total touchdowns and rushed for 145 yards on 20 carries, pushing him over 1,400 rushing yards and 25 total touchdowns in nine games played.

“He’s done some special things,” said Valdez. “He’s playing with an incredible amount of confidence. The game has really slowed down for him and he’s really, really feeling it right now.”

Bradley Borne rushed nine times for 75 yards and two touchdowns while adding 58 yards on three receptions. Austin Howard completed 12 of 17 passes for 151 yards and a score.

White Castle (6-4, 3-2) was playing to earn a share of the district crown for itself, and took an early 8-6 lead on Dontrell Taylor’s 2-yard touchdown run and subsequent conversion.

But the Rams (8-2, 5-0) snatched back control of the game for good when Jackson returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown.

“We took their best shot early,” said West St. John coach Robert Valdez. “The kids responded to that with our best shot.’

“Jeremy took that up to a gear I hadn’t seen before. He went from 0-60 in an instant. That was an incredible response to their long drive, and at that point, I knew we’d be fine.”

Jackson scored his team’s first four touchdowns of the game – the fourth on a 7-yard pass reception from Howard –  and helped WSJ jet out to a 28-8 halftime lead.

WSJ led 36-22 before a 21-point fourth quarter turned the game into WSJ’s fifth straight rout.

Taylor finished with two touchdowns.

Valdez said the Rams kickstarted their offense with a pair of play-action passes on the first drive in order to take advantage of White Castle overplaying the run.

“We tried to loosen them up a bit,” said Valdez. “We stretched the field. They were concerned with stopping the run and when that happens, Austin has been doing a great job making adjustments.”

The Rams will likely draw a first round bye in the Class 1A non-select division.

“I’ve got mixed emotions about that. I’d like to play and stay sharp,” said Valdez. “But our kids understand that this is why we’re here, now, to play for championships. We’ve been preparing all year long for this moment. Now it’s time to take it to another level.”