By GEORGE MAHL, Sports Editor

RESERVE – The East St. John football team has had one year to think about it’s jamboree loss to rival West St. John.

“I guess you could say we had to eat some crow,” said East St. John Head Football Coach Larry Dauterive.

The Wildcats and Rams played a hard-hitting, exciting contest last year.

The Rams did win, but East St. John was coming on strong at the end. Players on both sides felt victory would have been their’s if the game had continued.

“When you play a half of game, anything can happen,” Dauterive said.

Both teams had positive signs in their scrimmage game. The Rams scored on three of the last four series against Lutcher, while the Wildcats had seven offensive touchdowns against Hammond. Dauterive said, however, that he was most pleased with his defense against Hammond.

“I thought our defense dominated. We only allowed a touchdown on the goaline which came at the end. I was pleased with the effort.”

Dauterive said he one of the goals for this jamboree game is to come out of it injury free. He also said he does not plan on showing everything to West St. John, saving most of it for the first game of the year against Lutcher.

“We’re gonna play it close to the vest and not show our trump cards,” said the third-year head coach.

With 19 new starters, Dauterive said his squad is “untested.”

“It is a dress rehearsal for a game,” he added.

Players on these teams are no stranger to one another. Most have known other players on the other team through family and friendship.

“Some of these kids have been friends all their life,” Dauterive said.

Dauterive said he has the highest respect for the job West St. John Head Football Coach Laury Dupont has done over the last 16 years with his team.

“The proof is in the pudding,” he said. “He plays with the kids he has and makes the most out of them. He doesn’t go out and get anybody or anything like that. He has done a fantastic job.”

One of the things Dauterive is excited going into tomorrow’s jamboree game is his running back situation. Josh Tuesno and Stanley Jackson will get the bulk of the carries.

“Right now Josh is our starter, but that does not mean anything. Stanley is just as good.”

Dauterive said he plans to alternate his backs in the game.

“We will always have fresh legs in there.”