Rams rolling through District; SCC welcomes Donaldsonville; ESJH, RA anxious to get on field
Published 12:02 am Wednesday, October 11, 2017
- WSJH coach Brandon Walters walks the sideline last week at the beginning of the second quarter with the Rams up 33-0.
EDGARD — West St. John High has scored 60-plus points in consecutive games, helping the Rams improve to 4-2, 1-0 this season.
WSJH hopes to keep the good times going Friday during homecoming, which includes a visit from Covenant Christian (4-2, 0-1).
The Lions run a Wing T offense that puts pressure on opposing defenses to know where to line up each play. The Lions feature numerous pulling and trapping offensive linemen.
“There is a lot of misdirection, so people have to understand their responsibilities and where they are supposed to be,” Rams coach Brandon Walters said. “We need to know when to stay home and when to go.”
Walters said his team is playing well and the players are excited to be “making waves” in a new District.
Keeping the intensity up is key, which starts with maintaining a consistent practice schedule and process each week.
“I think they are responding pretty well,” Walters said.
“We have a system that works. The older guys are used to it, and the younger guys are getting acclimated. We study our opponent, get out there and work on what we learned on film. We push them and push them harder. Right now, it is working pretty well.”
Football plus homecoming adds another level of excitement to this week. Coaches and team leaders have to make sure that doesn’t become a distraction.
“The kids are excited, and it is hard to keep them focused on school,” Walters said. “It’s a big event around here. People come from all over. It’s a Monday-through-Friday thing. There are activities during the game, during the week. It’s going to be a full week.”
SCC vs. Donaldsonville
St. Charles Catholic welcomes Donaldsonville (5-1, 0-1) to LaPlace this week, setting up a huge battle of District 10-3A opponents.
The Tigers defensive line may be the biggest and most talented SCC has seen this season and boasts two major college commitments, each weighing in at more than 270 pounds.
“We don’t have very good matchups there as far as the line is concerned,” St. Charles coach Frank Monica said. “We have to find a way to move the ball, keep our defense fresh and keep them off the field.”
Donaldsonville is explosive on offense with Jaylin Williams under center and three seniors at wide receiver.
Williams runs and throws effectively from almost any formation, Monica said, making the Tigers offense hard to contain.
“We have to make sure we don’t give up big plays,” Monica said. “It’s going to come down to the turnover battle. We have to make sure we are on the plus side when the game is over.”
Defensively, the Comets (5-1, 1-0) enter the game on a high, having shutout Lusher in game action last week.
Monica said the coaching staff prepares the players well each week, emphasizing positioning before the ball is snapped.
“Playing defense is lining up right and playing with some emotion,” Monica said.
The Comets are giving up less than 6 points a game this season and have only allowed double digits once.
Offensively, Phillip Tran is coming off perhaps his best game, having scored four touchdowns.
The valuable running back and return man is described by his head coach as 145 pounds and 5-foot-6, but smart and “tougher than a $2 steak.”
“He is a pleasure to coach, always where he is supposed to be on the field,” Monica said. “That is the most important thing that a coach looks for.”
East St. John at Terrebonne
The Wildcats (3-3, 2-1) lost a heartbreaker last week on the road in Destrehan, and things don’t get any easier this week with a road contest at Terrebonne High School in Houma.
The Tigers crushed Thibodaux last week, 48-0, and enter the game with only one loss this season. Last week’s win was an especially sweet victory, as it was Terrebonne’s first in five years against Thibodaux.
The excitement now carries over in a battle with East St. John High.
Terrebonne, fresh off 300 rushing yards, is led by a host of ground options, including running backs KeShawn James (two TDs last week), Chaz Ward (2 TDs), wide receiver Brennon Guidry (TD), running back Kwan Allen (TD) and quarterback Ja’khi Douglas (20 rushing yards, 80 yards passing, TD).
Thankfully, the Wildcats can match the explosiveness, with quarterback Duke Crosby and wide receiver Javon Antonio.
Crosby was especially potent last week in an overtime loss to Destrehan, totaling 95 yards rushing and one touchdown while passing for 220 yards and three more touchdowns.
Riverside at Newman
An open date, plus the threat of Hurricane Nate has limited Riverside Academy (1-3) to just one game played since Sept. 16.
The Rebels, who have maintained an aggressive practice schedule, will be anxious to get back in action this week at Newman.
The Greenies, undefeated this season with six victories, are coming off a dominant 37-21 win over Country Day.
Quarterback Martin Butcher, who passed for 235 yards and two touchdowns last week, leads Newman.
Running back James Poche (113 yards, 3 TDs) is another weapon Rebels defenders must account for.