By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

It took a stout defensive effort and a role reversal on the offensive side of the ball, but East St. John scored a big win on the road Friday night, outlasting Scotlandville 15-14.

Nigel Anderson’s 7-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter provided the eventual winning points for the Wildcats, Anderson making the run from the quarterback position, where he played for most of the night.

Anderson was pressed into duty at quarterback after starter Xavier Lewis was forced from the position due to a first half shoulder injury. Lewis remained in the game, playing a combination of tailback — where Anderson usually starts — wide receiver and defensive back.

Scotlandville’s Levi Lewis scored with 20 seconds left on a quarterback keeper to pull the Hornets within a point, but East St. John recovered the ensuing onside kick to seal the deal.

Lewis’ 8-yard touchdown in the first quarter and Jarrod Jackson’s 2-point conversion catch gave ESJ (1-1) an early 8-0 lead. Delmas Holmes drew Scotlandville within two on his 6-yard touchdown run.

Anderson finished with 101 yards on the ground.

The teams combined to turn the ball over six times, including three by the Wildcats in the second quarter of play. But Scotlandville (1-1) turned none of those turnovers into points.