VACHERIE – Before the opening game of the season, a few of the leaders on the St. James football team stated that their goal was to win the District Championship and the State Championship. Those seemed to be pretty lofty goals as the Wildcats were coming off a 7-5 record and a loss in the second round of the playoffs in 2018. The Players and Coach Robert Valdez knew they were returning big time talent and experience at key positions on both sides of the ball. St. James began the season ranked No. 1 and went 15-0 in route to the 3-A State Championship with a 51-14 victory over Jennings.

The St. James defense players were dominant all season, with only one opponent scoring over 20 points all season. Eight opponents were held to 8 points or less. The St. James offense steamrolled through District 9 3A with wins over Donaldsonville, 37-6, Berwick, 45-0, Patterson, 65-0, and E.D. White, 38-7.

The Wildcats earned the No. 1 seed in the Class 3-A State Playoffs. St. James cruised past Mansfield 28-0, Green Oaks 41-8, and Brusly 32-13 in the first three rounds of the playoffs. The Wildcats defeated Union Parish 25-14 in the semi-finals before advancing to the State Championship in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Senior Quarterback Shamar Smith was selected the Title Game MVP by completing 14 of 19 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns. Smith added 71-yards rushing and two rushing touchdowns in the game and had a 20-yard reception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Sean LeBeouf, a Navy commit, was also a standout during the regular season when he rushed for over 1000 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. Shazz Preston also holds a few SEC offers and contributed with 31 receptions for 498 yards and eight touchdowns in the regular season.