EDGARD — The No. 17 seed West St. John Rams (5-7) defeated No. 1 seed Many High (10-2) Friday.

The second round of Class 2A playoffs could have gone very differently, but West St. John played like a winning team.

Senior halfback Lamore Boudoin dominated the fourth quarter, scoring the last touchdown of the night, bringing the score to what would be its final tally, 34-30, with 8:34 left on the clock.

The rest of the game was spent with determined defense and Boudoin rushing the ball up the field.

“It feels really good to beat the No. 1 team,” West St. John head football coach Brandon Walters said. “I was definitely expecting this. I have the utmost confidence in these kids. I know at this time of the year we are a different team and these are a different bunch of kids. I expect to win every time we step out here.”

The first half of the game was much more exciting.

The Rams kicked off the ball to start the game and Many scored with 6:44 left in the first quarter. WSJ blocked the extra point and the Tigers led the board 6-0.

Three short minutes later, Many scored again after a Rams’ turnover on downs. A two-point conversion brought the score to 14-0 with 3:46 left in the first quarter.

WSJ ended the first with a turnover on downs, and Many quickly scored again in the first six seconds of the second quarter, leading 21-0.

WSJ recovered with a Lamore Boudoin touchdown to put them on the board 21-6.

Later, senior wide receiver Daquan Frank answered with a 50-yard touchdown run, bringing the score to 21-13 with 6:49 left in the half.

A Many interception led to another scoring play with 1:59 left in the half, leading the board 29-13.

That was the last touchdown the Rams would give up for the night.

A five-yard touchdown run by Lamore Boudoin brought the score to 29-20 with less than a minute until halftime.

A third quarter Jamal Walters touchdown narrowed the Tigers lead 29-27 with 10:51 on the clock.

Many managed a one-point safety, bringing the lead to 30-27 by the fourth quarter.

“The whole team fought hard and did everything I asked of them,” Walters said. “The whole team made me proud.”

Walters said he knows his team could have done better and vows that they will next week.

“We need to work on consistency for next week,” Walters said. “You cannot allow people to score on you like we did tonight. We knew we were going to have their best. We just have to remain consistent and stay on top of everything.”

What does Walters have to say to everybody who didn’t think the Rams would make it this far?

“Aha!”

By Courtney Griggs