By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

LAPLACE – East St. John coach Phillip Banko makes no secret his philosophy on building a successful football team: you start on the interior.
“When you look back at the ’85 Chicago Bears, I’m not sure many people can name the starting strong safety,” said Banko. “But they know the Fridge was the nose tackle. They know (defensive ends) Reggie White and Jerome Brown were anchored that great Eagles defense. The Vikings and the Purple People Eaters … those guys up front are your unsung heros. They do a silent job … those are the Seals, the Delta Force.’
“Our defensive line, our offensive line, those are the cornerstones of our team.”
The ESJ defensive line stands as perhaps the Wildcats’ biggest prospective strength. The Wildcats boast six seniors in the line’s rotation and a plethora of size and physicality. Darren Williams, Chris Williams, Davarion Stockman and Charlie Payne are among those expected to play big roles.
The offensive line, Banko said, has been making an impact in practice as well.
“Every time I look up, someone’s on the ground,” said Banko. “And they tell me, ‘We’re getting work done.’”
Those lineman will provide the protection for the Wildcats’ new spread offensive scheme, one that will feature jack-of-all-trades Xavier Lewis all over the formation.
Lewis will primarily play wide receiver on offense, but Banko said you can expect to see him running the ball and lining up at quarterback at different times this season. Lewis doubles as a standout defensive back.
“He’s also our punt returner,” said Banko. “I’ve got coaches begging me to use him more in a certain area … We’re gonna have some special packages for him at quarterback.”
Banko listed a number of big time collegiate programs interested in the junior, including LSU, Florida State, Michigan, Alabama, Florida, Southern Miss, Arizona, Arizona State, USC — all have offered scholarships, Banko said.
The reason is simple, he added: Lewis possesses the kind of athletic talent that the very best in recent ESJ history have had to offer.
“He’s a heck of a special player, like a D-Bo,” said Banko. “We blitzed him (in practice) yesterday, and he threaded the needle … I haven’t seen a throw like that since D-Bo. We’re very fortunate to have him.”
However, Lewis will play mostly at wide receiver as Gerald Munoz steps in as a first-year starter at quarterback.
“He’s gonna manage the game and get it to our playmakers,” said Banko. “When he’s at quarterback, we’ve got a talented, talented group of four receivers out there.”
Jared Jackson, Lewis, Jacob McNeil, Kyle Patterson and Darius Lipps make up a quartet with serious speed to burn. Jackson mixes his with a 42-inch vertical leap; he took over as the team’s go-to receiver down the stretch last season in the wake of Deszmann’s Broussard’s season-ending leg injury in district play.
Meanwhile, Patterson is getting attention from college scouts before ever playing a regular season down. The senior, who is the ESJ basketball team’s starting point guard, has turned heads in his spring and summer action.
“He’s been mixing it up a little out there. Here’s a kid who’s 6-1, 180, and sometimes you forget that,” said Banko. “Southeastern, Memphis, Northwestern State, Southern and ULL are all looking at him.’
“I’m glad I talked him into going out for football. Now, he didn’t want to play defense. He didn’t want to go to the dark side,” he added with a chuckle. “But as long as he’s helping us get first downs, I’m really happy.”
Lewis will help bolster the team’s secondary. And Amani Martin will move to linebacker from safety, providing leadership to a young linebacking corps.
“He’s a coach on the field,” said Banko. “He’s got a real firm grasp on what we’re doing.”