By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

With eight new starters projected on defense for 2008, that East St. John unit was put to a pretty powerful test on Saturday.

South Plaquemine won the Class 1A state crown last year behind a powerful offense guided by record setting quarterback Ridge Turner. But Turner and the Hurricanes were held to 153 offensive yards in a Saturday scrimmage, as the Wildcats took a 28-14 win.

 “To hold that team like we did, with eight new starters on defense, I feel pretty good about that,” said East St. John Coach Larry Dauterive.

Despite the difference in classification between the two teams, Dauterive pointed out that nobody should underestimate the caliber of athletes that the 1A champions boast.

“In six years here, they hit as hard as anyone I’ve seen,” said Dauterive.

Turner passed for two scores, but the Hurricanes were otherwise corralled for most of the contest.

All-State senior tailback Alex Singleton is back, but he will be joined in the backfield by speedy Todd Muse this year. Muse scored two touchdowns in the scrimmage.

“It’s a good combination to have. Alex’s brute force combined with Todd’s speed,” Dauterive said.

Each of Dauterive’s quarterbacks scored a touchdown as well. Quarterback Andre Millet opened up the scoring for the Wildcats by finding receiver Tim Evans for a 60-yard touchdown.

Muse would punch in the Wildcats’ next two scores, including a 45-yard run on an option to put the Wildcats ahead 20-14.

Quarterback Kalen Henderson capped off the scoring with a 15-yard option keeper. The Wildcats would convert the two point conversion.