By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE — East St. John needed strong leadership from its senior class more than ever in 2012.

After disaster struck in the form of Hurricane Issac, flooding ESJ’s campus and throwing its football season — and everything else — into disarray, a lost season seemed to be a given. Instead, the Wildcats overcame an 0-3 start and numerous hardships to win five of its final six games and reach the postseason.

On Wednesday’s National Signing Day, six of that team’s senior leaders made the continuation of their football careers official.

Leonard Davis (Tulane), Justin Anderson (Nicholls State), Deszmann Broussard (Morehouse College), Darren Davis (Morehouse College), Raheem Bolden (Morehouse College) and Jeremy Piper (St. John’s – Minnesota) all inked their letters of intent in a special ceremony at the Leon Godchaux Junior High gym.

“The year started off bad, but it ended great,” said Leonard Davis. “With the way we finished out and with six of us signing, I feel like we’ve accomplished something.”

“These guys had a chance to leave if they wanted (after the hurricane),” said East St. John coach Phillip Banko. “They could have gone to West St. John, Hahnville, Destrehan, somewhere in Kenner … the LHSAA would have granted them eligibility. They chose to stick it out here because they believe in their school and what we’re doing here.

“For them to sign, it’s wonderful. They’re special to me. They’re always gonna be.”

Leonard Davis committed to Tulane last summer and will be headed to the Green Wave as a strong safety. This past season Davis played quarterback for East St. John after spending his earlier years on defense.

He said he looks forward to the transition back.

“I fell in love with the defensive side of the ball as a freshman,” said Davis. “That’s where I started and I’m looking forward to getting back there.”

While he’s known he was ticketed for the Green Wave for while, it was a special day in another way for him: among the five teammates sharing the spotlight with him Wednesday was his brother Darren, ESJ’s center.

“It’s great. We’ve been playing together for the past eight years. This was kind of our last go-round,” he said. “I’m gonna miss being on the same team a lot.”

Darren Davis concurred.

“I’m excited for him and I’m excited for myself,” he said.

He won’t be going to Morehouse alone, however, as he’ll be joined by Wildcat teammates Broussard and Bolden.

“You always like to have someone in your corner,” said Darren Davis. “And I know I’ll have two people who have my back up there.”

Bolden, who said he settled on his final decision just a day earlier, said Morehouse’s history and educational reputation was a draw.

“It’s an awesome school. A lot of famous, historical people went there,” said Bolden. “Martin Luther King, Samuel L. Jackson, Spike Lee. It’s an exciting day for all of us.”

Anderson and Piper were two cornerstones of the team’s defense. Anderson was the Wildcats’ most productive linebacker, racking up over 100 tackles and six sacks. Piper emerged as a playmaker at cornerback and intercepted three passes as a senior.

Broussard was one of the state’s leading receivers before breaking his ankle in practice the week leading into ESJ’s second district game.

“I think Morehouse got a steal in Dez,” said Banko. “If he doesn’t get hurt, he’s signing Division I … I see nothing less than a spectacular season for Dez next season. I think he’ll start.”

The East St. John six were part of 15 local Class 5A school athletes to sign Wednesday morning, as Destrehan and Hahnville held their annual joint signing ceremony  at the St. Charles Satellite Center.

Destrehan wide receiver Rickey Jefferson officially inked with LSU, while Hahnville tied West St. John for the biggest signing class in the River Parishes with eight signees, highlighted by linebacker-running back Sergio Medina signing with Tulane.

Joining Medina were fellow Tigers Cody Morales (Nicholls State), Juvon Gales (Stephen F. Austin), James Diggs (College of the Canyon) and Easton Melancon (Louisiana-Lafayette).

Hahnville also saw softball player Pepper Baker sign (Mississippi Junior College), as did soccer players Kristal Breaux (Louisiana-Lafayette) and Grayson Touchard (William Carey).

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