MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / November 11, 1998

EDGARD – When West St. John looks across the line of scrimmage thisFriday night in its bi-district playoff game against Christian Life Academy, it will be like looking into a mirror.

Both the Rams and Crusaders possess great team speed and run out of the same formations using options and sweeps.

West St. John concluded the regular season with a second place finish inDistrict 9-2A with a 7-3 overall record. Christian Life, the second placeteam in District 7-2A, finished at 8-2 overall.

The Rams are coming off a 29-8 victory at home against Ellender in a non- district matchup. Dehaven Duronslet scored on a run and a reception andCarl Gauthier passed for two touchdowns. Jamar Bailey added 65 yards oneight carries as the Rams rolled up 314 yards in total offense. The defenseheld Ellender to 214 yards, with 80 of those yards coming on one run in the fourth quarter by Kevin Johnson.

Christian Life rolled to a 47-0 victory over Jackson Friday. The Crusaderssaw seven players score touchdowns, Christian Life ran for four touchdowns, returned two punts for scores and had a fumble return for another. The defense held Jackson to minus four yards rushing and twofirst downs.

The Crusaders run out of a spread set formation on offense, led by quarterback Stefon Lefors and fullback Ronald Johnson. Lefors, a starterfor over the last three years, can run the option and also is an efficient passer. Joining Lefors and Johnson in the backfield is Brent Boyd. MichaelClayton and Emmanuel Bazile are burners at the corners.

The Crusaders are big and physical on the offensive line, averaging over 270-pounds up front. Quentin Minor is the center and is flanked by guardsTravis Harris and Reggie Lewis and tackles Josh Kirst and Mark Smith.

Defensively, the Crusaders play a six-man front. Patrick Herbert, RobertoEger, Robert Prevost and Ryan Phillips all are returnees on the defensive line. Eric Schmolke, Nic Bernhard, Kyle Guidry and Smith lead thelinebacking corps. Lefors, Clayton and Randall Betz are in the secondary.”They are a big, physical team,” West St. John coach Laury Dupont said.”They have great size, great skill players and are very aggressive defensively.”The Rams should be in their best health a since the second week of the season. Torrian Thomas should return and Duronslet is getting back to fullstrength.

Dupont said avoiding turnovers will be a big factor in the game.

“We can’t turn the ball over,” Dupont said. “They have too much talent onthe offensive side of the ball. We have to be able to run the ball inside sothe outside game and passing game can go.”Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at West St. John.The winner of the game will face the winner of the Loranger-St. Helenamatch-up in the regionals.

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