By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

West St. John’s LeBeron Thomas has been named to the LSWA Class 1A All-State first team for the second consecutive season.

He is joined by two honorable mention selections for the Rams in Corey Warmington and Blake Carter.

Thomas, a standout offensive lineman for the Rams that also plays on the defensive line, helped pave the way for a WSJ rushing attack that dominated District 9-1A en route to an undefeated district championship. In the past two seasons, Thomas and the Rams haven’t lost a district game. In the Rams bi-district playoff win at Basile, Thomas blew open enough holes to help his team rush for 278 yards.

“It’s a big accomplishment to be named for two straight seasons,” said West St. John Coach Robert Valdez. “He helped us a lot in the running game and in pass protection. It’s important for the lineman to do their job in order to run the offense effectively, and we were able to move the ball on the ground this year.

“Hopefully, we’ll have others who see what he did and use that as motivation to shoot for those kinds of accolades.”

Carter, a defensive end, and Warmington were keys on a Rams defense that held six of its 10 opponents to 18 points or less, and four of its last six opponents to seven or less.

Class 1A champions South Plaquemines swept the Most Valuable Player categories. Quarterback Ridge Turner took offensive MVP honors after topping 4,000 yards of total offense for the second straight season. Turner finished the year with 3,240 passing yards and 42 touchdowns.

Linebacker Seth Ancar was named Defensive MVP. He totaled 78 tackles and five forced fumbles.

Christian Life Coach Warren Capone was named 1A Coach of the Year. In his third year with the Crusaders, he led them to a 12-2 mark and a state runner-up finish.