MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / November 8, 2000

EDGARD – West St. John head coach Laury Dupont takes a look at the Vintonteam his Rams have to play this week and sees a familiar sight.

West St. John played at Vinton in the quarterfinals in 1998, defeating theLions, 16-12, on the way to the Class 2A state championship. The Rams hadto overcome a 12-0 deficit to defeat the undefeated Lions that season.

Dupont sees a lot of similarities between that team and this year’s Vinton squad.

“They were undefeated then, they could have been undefeated this season,” Dupont said. “They play physical, smash mouth football. They come afteryou. It’s no different than it was in 1998. They play very aggressive ondefense and they play right at you.”Vinton goes into the game Friday night at West St. John with a 5-4 overallrecord. But the Lions lost one of those games by one point to Many andanother by two points to DeQuincy, both playoff teams out of their district.

“Any one of those teams could have been the district champion,” Dupont said.

Dupont certainly knows about tough districts. After all, his Rams went 5-1 ina District 9-2A that featured five playoff teams and 7-2 overall. Those twolosses were to St. James and Riverside squads still alive in the playoffs. The Rams had a bye week after defeating Fisher, 44-7, two weeks ago. DevinHerbert scored five touchdowns in that game and led the River Parishes in scoring in the regular season with 120 points. He was also among the arealeaders in rushing with 892 yards and 18 touchdowns on 80 carries.

Herbert will be going against a tough Vinton defense led by senior nose guard Mike Pickett.

“He has good size and is real quick,” Dupont said. “He gets to the football.”Pickett is also listed at offensive tackle. Also going both ways for the Lionsis lineman Scott Habetz, running back/cornerback Lee Ronald, fullback.linebacker Aaron Ledet and wide receiver/cornerback Paul Simien.”They run right at you and they have good size,” Dupont said of the Lions’ offense.

Dupont said the key to the game will be which team can control the tempo.

“We need to get on the scoreboard first and get control of the tempo of the game,” Dupont said. “It’s going to be tough.”Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at West St. John’s Sugar Dome. Tickets are$6 at the gate.

The winner advances to play the winner of Ouachita Christian and Opelousas Catholic next week in the regionals.

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