By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

East St. John Coach Jason Beber believes that Dutchtown might just be on its way to a state championship – and last Friday night’s game between the Wildcats and the Griffins did nothing to change his mind.

Dutchtown scored six goals in each half and defeated East St. John 12-0 at Dutchtown.

“They’re playing at a different level than a lot of the teams I’ve seen, even the others who beat us this year,” Beber said of Dutchtown (14-2). “They’re so coordinated n what they do. They know who they want to get the ball to, what they need that person to do, and if it doesn’t work there’s a backup in place.”

The win was the 11th straight for the Griffins, who have allowed only six goals in that period.

Dutchtown came at the Wildcats (4-4, 0-2) in waves and peppered them with shots early and often. When the dust settled, the Griffins had launched 80 shots at the Wildcats defense.

With usual goalkeeper Amber Remondet moved out of that position due to injury, backup Terri Franklin came in and saved a number of those shots, helping keep the score from being any worse.

“That was her first real game action of the year at goalie,” said Beber. “She looks real promising. She’s a tremendous thrower from the net.”

After halftime, the Wildcats came out with a renewed sense of purpose, hoping to hold Dutchtown to the six goals it already had. While the Griffins added six more, East St. John held them scoreless for the first 20 minutes of the second half.

“I felt like we played pretty well. They’re just a phenomenal team,” said Beber.

Beber says that Dutchtown has the kind of soccer program that schools like East St. John aspire to become – but it will take time, he says.

“They have so many leagues to play year round in, places to play all over,” said Beber. “We’re building it up here, but you can’t expect to suddenly go out and dominate programs like that that have built themselves up for years.”