By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Although the lockout has prevented NFL teams from starting their usual spring training routines, local high schools have recently begun gearing up for the fall.

Last week, L’Observateur asked visitors to its website which River Parishes’ high school has the best chances in the upcoming season.

The question drew a large number of fans from throughout the region eager to vote for their favorite.

In the end, East St. John, with new head coach Philip Banko, came out on top with over one quarter of the vote. St. Charles Catholic, which went to the state semifinals in 2010, was a close second.

West St. John High and Lutcher High were the next highest vote-getters, garnering a respectable 15 and 12 percent, respectively.

Riverside Academy, Hahnville High and St. James High topped the bottom half of the results while Destrehan High, state champions in 2008 and 2009, came in last place with less than 5 percent of the vote.

A full breakdown of results follows:

• 4 percent of respondents chose Destrehan High School

• 27 percent of respondents chose East St. John High School

• 7 percent of respondents chose Hahnville High School

• 12 percent of respondents chose Lutcher High School

• 7 percent of respondents chose Riverside Academy

• 22 percent of respondents chose St. Charles Catholic

• 6 percent of respondents chose St. James High School

• 15 percent of respondents chose West St. John High School