By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

West St. John moved one step closer to clinching an undefeated District 9-1A crown, after downing North Iberville avt home Friday night, 33-8.

The Rams led 13-0 at halftime after a 2-yard Kenneth Dabney touchdown run and a 13-yard Dray Joseph to Blake Comminie score.

But penalties and mistakes plagued West St. John. That is, until the second half, when the Rams scored three touchdowns and made the seized control of the game.

“We are a much better team when we eliminate them mistakes and penalties,” said West St. John Coach Laury Dupont. “The offense moved well in spots tonight and our defense played real well. We do need to eliminate the mistakes though.”

The win clinched at least a share of the district championship for West St. John (4-5, 3-0). The Rams will visit Ascension Catholic this Friday night. If West St. John wins, it will clinch an outright district championship.

Joseph has been strong throughout district play, and his play on Friday night was no different. He was 9-of-13 for 156 yards and three touchdowns.

“We stopped the mistakes as the game went on, and our offensive line really held up to give me time,” said Joseph.

Kenneth Dabney paced West St. John in rushing with 17 carries for 106 yards. Tyler Lewis added six carries for 59 yards. Jessie Silas had four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown to lead the team through the air.

In the third quarter, Joseph really started to find his groove. A 25 yard pass to Silas would set up an 18-yard score to Raynard Thomas to make it 19-0.

Early in the fourth quarter, West St. John effectively put the game away after a 4-yard run by Laron Goudia with 10:18 remaining in the game to make it 25-0.

North Iberville (3-6, 0-3) scored their only touchdown at the 6:22 mark, after an Aaron Woolfolk 3-yard touchdown run made it 25-6. A two-point conversion pass made it 25-8.

But Joseph answered on the next possession. He recognized a blitz and fired a pass to Silas before getting hit. It went for a 17-yard score, making it 33-8.

“I saw (Silas) running by himself, and I knew I had to squeeze the throw in,” said Joseph.