By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

After two straight heartbreaking losses to top ranked teams, East St. John was beyond hungry for their first win of the season.

Carencro received the brunt of the Wildcats’ frustrations on Friday night.

East St. John held the Bears to 100 total yards as it rolled to a 28-0 win in Reserve.

Carencro (0-4) was able to limit All-State running back Alex Singleton to 69 yards on 21 carries. But ESJ (1-2) still managed to roll up 293 rushing yards, including 69 from quarterback Andre Millet and 64 from quarterback Kalen Henderson – East St. John Coach Larry Dauterive rotated the two throughout the game.

All three players scored a touchdown in the game.

“Before the game, (Carencro Coach Mac Barousse) told me that ‘Ya’ll may beat us, but we’re really gonna try to limit (Singleton)’. Their whole focus was stopping Alex after he had a huge game against them last year,” said East St. John Coach Larry Dauterive.

“But everyone else picked it up. The more they get involved, the more teams have to get away from stopping just one option.”

Henderson completed 8-of-16 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown, in addition to his rushing production.

“Kalen threw much better this week,” said Dauterive. “Millet had some nice run too. Alternating them might have thrown Carencro off a bit.”

But the real story of the game was the Wildcats’ defensive effort, which never allowed Carencro to get into any rhythm at all. The progression pleases Dauterive, who says he’s seeing a young defense with mostly new starters mature before his eyes,

“(ESJ defensive coordinator Philip Banko) had a masterful plan defensively. The kids are starting to understand and execute what we’re teaching a lot better.”

Andre Millet got the Wildcats on the board for the first time with a 6-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

Singleton scored in the second quarter on a 4-yard run, set up by a 65-yard Millet run on an option play. ESJ led 21-0 at the half after Henderson capped the first half scoring with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Tim Evans, who finished with six catches for 58 yards.

That play capped a 95 yard drive that began with 1:05 left in the half.

“It was a backbreaker for them,” said Dauterive.

Henderson finished the scoring off with a 2-yard run in the fourth quarter.

And East St. John finished off the night with a much needed victory before district play.

“I know this,” Dauterive said, “It’s a lot easier to go into work after a win.”