By GEORGE MAHL

Going into last night’s semi-final game against Redemptorist High School, St. James High School head coach Rick Gaille knew his team would have to play almost a flawless game to defeat the number one seed in Class 3A.

He also knew his team needed to stop powerful running back Jay Lucas. They didn’t do either.

A ball-controlled offense executed by the Wolves led the way to a 30-21 victory over St. James before a sold out crowd on a bone-chilling night in Vacherie.

“We tried as hard as we could tonight. I think we were not able to make the plays when we needed them,” Gaille said.

Trailing 23-14, SJHS quarterback Blake Falgoust took it in on a quarterback sneak from the one to pull the Wildcats to within two, 23-21.

However, on their next possession, RHS used only three plays before Robert Johnson ran it in from the nine.

The key play on the drive was Lucas’ 54-yard run on second and and five from the Redemptorist 25-yard line. The touchdown and the extra point put the game out of reach for St. James.

“I think in the second half they just had a power game that we didn’t handle well,” admitted Gaille.

Early on, the game was marred by turnovers. St. James, the district 10-3A runner-up, fumbled and also turned it over when Quarterback Blake Falgoust threw an interception with about five minutes left in the first quarter.

After the interception, the Wolves (14-0) marched 73 yards on eight plays to take a quick 6-0 lead. An eight-yard run from Lucas gave the Baton Rouge school a quick lead.

Lucas was responsible for 48 of his teams 73 yards on the drive. On first and ten from the Wildcat 48-yard line, the junior running back sprinted 47 yards on a mis-direction play tom set up RHS deep in St. James territory.

The ensuing kickoff saw the Wildcats accelerate their running game. SJHS rushed the ball for 49 yards on a 10-play, 66-yard drive that resulted in a two-yard touchdown run by sophomore Anthony Aubert.

Ironically, the only pass on the drive was also the biggest play of the drive. Falgoust hooked up with David Johnson in the corner on third and long, thus keeping the drive alive.

Another touchdown added by the Wildcats with 8:16 remaining until halftime gave them a 14-6 lead. This time senior SE Desi Steib would score on a reverse from the Redemptorist 28-yard line.

Right before the halftime, however, the Wolves answered the Wildcats’ score with a touchdown of their own.

Lucas’ two-yard touchdown run evened the score at 14 a piece. The two-point conversion from quarterback Kyle Hebert to Johnson was good. With 7:08 left in the third quarter, the Wolves were hunting down the Wildcats once again.

This time a 6-play, 66-yard drive was capped off when Lucas pounded it in from the St. James 2-yard line.

Finally, a 35-yard field goal from Devin McBride put the game out of reach at 23-14.

Lucas finished the game with over 200 yards rushing as well as an average of about eight yards per carry.

In addition, the Wildcats were only able to have the ball for 1:12 during the third quarter.

Despite the loss, Gaille remained upbeat about his teams season.

“We accomplished a lot this season. As the players developed so did their character. I think that is what helped us the most this year.”

Redemptorist will face Patterson High School for the 3A state championship Friday in the Louisiana Superdome Classic.