By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

East St. John’s Ricky Dixon, along with Hahnville’s Sam Finn were picked to play in the Bayou Bowl, an all-star high school football game pitting Louisiana vs. Texas and set to air on Fox Sports Southwest.

The Louisiana team departed for Houston on Tuesday where they began preparations for the game against the Greater Houston Area All-Stars, which will take place Saturday at Stallworth Stadium in Baytown, Texas. The teams are scheduled to practice at the Texans NFL facility, tour Reliant Stadium, attend an Astro’s baseball game and tour a Shriner’s Hospital.

Dixon, a versatile athlete who played a variety of positions for ESJ in his four years with the Wildcats, was one of the most sought after wide receivers in the South before committing to LSU. Finn was selected for his center skills which he will be bringing to Arkansas-Monticello in the Fall.

&#8220You just can’t say enough good things about Ricky,” said ESJ coach Larry Dauterive. &#8220He’s going to push for playing time at LSU this season. And once him and Ryan (Perrilloux) get out there together, it’s going to be a show alright.”The Bayou Bowl is an all-star game that is structured similarly to college bowl week activities, culminating in the fourth annual game, which starts at 8 p.m.