By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE — What a difference a week makes.

After struggling mightly in its jamboree matchup with St. Charles, the East St. John defense answered a huge challenge on Friday night in the Wildcats’ 34-14 victory over Class 3A No. 7 Patterson, contributing to what coach Larry Dauterive called one of the most complete performances of his tenure.

The Wildcats scrapped its original defensive gameplan, a read and react, zone-oriented scheme. Instead, it went back to the team’s usual hallmarks under Dauterive: man-to-man defense combined with heavy pressure.

“Defensively, we did a complete 180,” said Dauterive. “We want to be aggressive, to take advantage of our speed and ability to run out there.”

Dauterive said it’s a natural fit for his team, praising the play of his secondary — in Floyd Raven, Richard Miles and Nathan Anderson, he feels he has three defensive backs that can lock down opposing wide receivers. And at safety, he noted the play of LeBaron Sylvester on Friday.

“He probably played the best game of his career,” said Dauterive.

LSU commitment Kenny Hilliard was a marked man for the ESJ defense. He gained 122 yards, all of which, Dauterive said, were hard earned.

“We gave ground to (Hilliard) grudgingly,” said Dauterive. “At one point in the second half, they put together a 17-play, 80-yard drive. Eight yards, five yards, four yards … that’s bad if we’re behind 28-7, but with that lead it worked out for us.”

ESJ (1-0) held Patterson to 194 total yards and intercepted three passes, including one that Darion Monroe returned for a touchdown.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats rushed for 243 yards on the night, and for the second straight year a Wildcat rusher was the star of the night in the ESJ/Patterson game. A season ago, Reynaldo Young put together a big night and outgained Hilliard on the ground. This year, it was Andrew Taylor, who gained 148 yards on 13 carries and scored three touchdowns of 37, 57 and 19 yards.

“Andrew’s a quality back,” said Dauterive. “We have a number of guys who can score from a long way out, and the offensive line played very well.”

Istrouma (0-1) is next on the slate for ESJ. The Wildcats won last year’s matchup between the teams, 33-14. Istrouma struggled in its first game, falling 48-8 to Catholic-Baton Rouge.

Dauterive said that his concerns on Friday deal with his team more than the opposition.

“We’ve concerned with getting better,” said Dauterive. “We still need to work on our tackling. But we need to keep up that kind of defensive effort on defense. That’s what’s going to take us where we want to go.”

Another aspect he wants to see continue is the team’s improvement in the kicking game, specifically at punter.

DeChris Strong has assumed the punting duties and his effectiveness has added a new wrinkle to the ESJ attack.

“He’s a soccer guy with a good leg,” said Dauterive. “He catches the ball and gets it off so fast … they don’t always look pretty, but he’s getting the job done. It’s been a weapon for us.”