By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

East St. John Coach Larry Dauterive isn’t used to being 1-3. He’s never been in that position in 39 years of coaching.

Of course, he’s never had a team that had to play three straight state champion teams, either.

After losses at home to defending 2A champion John Curtis and 5A champion Acadiana, East St. John had to travel to 4A champion Bastrop on Friday night, a team Dauterive noted as &#8220probably the best team in the state, in any class.”

Bastrop came into the game with 32 straight victories. They now have 33, after a 22-7 win over the Wildcats.

&#8220They’ve won 33 straight for a reason,” Dauterive said. &#8220We came out of this stretch pretty healthy, so we at least can live to play another day.”Dauterive praised Bastrop quarterback Randall Mackey as being a &#8220phenomenal” talent, comparing him to former Wildcat quarterback Ryan Perrilloux. Mackey accounted for three touchdowns in the game.

But East St. John, at least for a half, was able to give a good accounting of themselves. Bastrop, used to dominating, only found themselves leading 6-0 at halftime.

&#8220After the game, their coach told me ‘that hasn’t happened in awhile.’ Our defense played phenomenal football,” Dauterive said. &#8220Bastrop will be in the Dome this year, though. It was never going to be easy.”

Bastrop averages 500 yards of offense, but in this game out gained East St. John 319-171 in total yardage. The Wildcats also won the turnover battle, 2-1.

Defensive backs Bryce Robertson and Jeremy Pierre each intercepted a pass. Robertson, Dauterive says, has been a big boon to the defense after switching over from strictly playing wide receiver on offense.

Alex Singleton carried 20 times for 71 yards. Quarterback Kalen Henderson found David Hampton for a 45-yard score for East St. John’s only touchdown.

The teams were close to even in time of possession, Bastrop’s 24 minutes to 23 for East St. John, but Dauterive said Bastrop was simply more efficient.

&#8220They made something happen when they had the football,” Dauterive said. &#8220It’s hard to account for Mackey running it.”