By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

HARVEY – Just two weeks ago, East St. John’s playoff hopes appeared dim. But prep football’s a crazy sport.

The Wildcats stand on the verge of reaching the Class 5A postseason against all odds after defeating L.W. Higgins Thursday night at Hoss Memstas Stadium, 14-6.

“We turned it on in the second half,” said East St. John coach Phillip Banko. “They had a couple of chances to tie it up late, but our defense comes up with a few crucial sacks. Now, if we get one more win, we have a chance to get in.”

East St. John (4-4) stands alone in second place in District 8-5A with a 3-1 district record, winners of two straight after losing at Hahnville in the second week of district play.

ESJ may need some help next week from Destrehan, as a DHS win over first place Hahnville makes a tie for the district championship reachable for ESJ.

“A lot of people didn’t think we’d make it past the Destrehan game,” said ESJ quarterback Leonard Davis. “That bothered us.”

The Wildcats overcame a number of key turnovers on Friday night and a ragged start to put Higgins (2-5, 1-3) away.

The Hurricanes struck first. After Cedric Jackson returned a punt to the ESJ 30, the Wildcats’ defense held. But East St. John quarterback Leonard Davis fumbled on a misdirected option pitch two plays later, and Higgins took over at the ESJ 29. This time, the Hurricanes took advantage, scoring in five plays on Rhyidh Wilson’s 5-yard touchdown run to make it 6-0 – the point after attempt was no good.

ESJ fired back, marching on a 15-play, 68-yard drive to tie things up on a 6-yard Davis to Ahmani Martin touchdown pass. Jackson blocked the extra point attempt for Higgins. Davis broke runs of 12 and 17 to convert third downs of 14 and 10 yards to go, and fullback Shedrick Colbert converted a fourth-and-one to extend the drive.

Theron Williams ripped off a 30-yard run on Higgins’ next possession, setting the Hurricanes up at the ESJ 24. But ESJ held, tackling Wilson for a loss on fourth and five.

The Wildcats added to the lead just before halftime, Davis scoring on a 2-yard sneak, then firing a two-point conversion to Jared Jackson on a fade to make it 14-6.

Davis and Jackson connected on two key plays, completions of 25 and 12 yards, to extend the drive onward.

From there, Higgins was plagued by turnovers; the Hurricanes fumbled away three second half possessions. Jackson intercepted Davis on one East St. John drive and returned it to the ESJ 35, but Destin Stewart broke up a fourth down pass from Wilson to Anthony White near the Wildcats’ endzone.

ESJ fumbled its ensuing drive away on a center-quarterback exchange, but East St. John’s defense held firm again, Davarion Stockman, Justin Anderson and Darren Williams converging upon Wilson on a third down with 3 minutes left in the game. On fourth-and-20, a Wilson pass fell incomplete.

“We worry about the next play,” said Banko. “Regardless of the turnover, you move on. This is a resilient team. The hurricane taught us how to be.”

Higgins finished with four total turnovers. East St. John finished with three.

“They came out with a lot of intensity. It might have caught us off guard,” said Davis. “We were sloppy tonight. We have to do better.”

Now, after beating the Hurricanes, East St. John, whose season has been so compromised by Issac, has a chance to reach the playoffs – and to beat a hurricane.

“What it says about these kids … just look at them,” said Banko. “They’re good as gold.”ꆱ