By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

ST. JAMES — This week marks the official beginning to prep football season in the River Parishes — and it starts with a doozy. 

West St. John will travel to St. James 7 p.m. Thursday to open the Wildcats’ new home stadium, as SJH attempts to wrest control of the Railroad Classic rivalry game trophy from the Rams, who have won four straight in the annual showdown.

“You’re going to get the best out of both schools when West St. John and St. James meet up in any sport,” said Robert Valdez, who has guided WSJ to state semifinal games over the past two seasons. “We’re going in there with a young, inexperienced group and we’re going to have (St. James’) full attention.”

The Rams topped the Wildcats last season, 35-7, but St. James improved plenty as the season went on, finishing 6-7 and advancing to the Class 2A quarterfinals after two winless seasons in a row.

That run was keyed by quarterback Lowell Narcisse and a young core of players whom are largely intact entering this season.

“Hopefully, Narcisse doesn’t take a page from Xavier Lewis’ playbook,” Valdez quipped, alluding to the East St. John quarterback’s strong performance in Thursday’s 24-6 ESJ jamboree win over WSJ. “We need to play physical football. There will be a lot of excitement and emotion ,and we’ll need to set the tone early on.”

RIVERSIDE AT EVANGEL — A week after the Rebels ended a streak of losses against rival St. Charles Catholic — albiet in exhibition play — Riverside will attempt to exorcise another demon from its recent past at Evangel Friday night.

It was just last season that the Eagles rallied with less than a minute left to win on Connor Curry’s 29-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Johnson, 29-22. 

This season, Riverside brings back much of the same cast, with one major, notable, exception: freshman Jordan Loving steps in for the prolific Deuce Wallace at quarterback. Loving was sharp in Friday’s jamboree. 

Curry is back for Evangel, while wideout Orlando Puryear lifted Evangel to a 20-7 jamboree win Friday night over Union Parish, scoring two first quarter touchdowns.

EAST ST. JOHN AT RUMMEL — Many have Rummel, last season’s Division I runner-up, tabbed to return to 2014’s Division I championship game. The Wildcats, as such, are likely in line for a stiff challenge here from the Raiders, who won a defensive battle over ESJ in last season’s opener. 

The Wildcats reloaded defense will be under the spotlight here, as Rummel’s stop unit once again figures to be one of the state’s best, putting points at a premium. Xavier Lewis and Nigel Anderson will be running behind five new offensive line starters for ESJ.

ST. CHARLES AT SOUTHERN LAB — Coach Frank Monica is wary of Southern Lab’s size and strength. Though the Comets bested the Kittens decisively in last season’s opener, most of Lab’s starters are back.

That said, Lab struggled mightily to stop the run in its 42-12 jamboree loss to Hahnville, and the Comets have a slew of running threats, led by tailback Erron Lewis and quarterback Austin Weber.