MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / November 15, 2000

RESERVE – East St. John and Archbishop Shaw started preparing for the2000 season against each other last spring.

The Wildcats and Eagles have come a long way since that spring scrimmage.

They will meet again Friday night in the Class 5A regional playoffs at Hoss Memtsas Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.East St. John advanced to the regionals with a 34-6 victory at home overJohn F. Kennedy in the bi-district round last Friday. The victory improved theWildcats to 9-2 on the season.

East St. John did it with a balanced attack, gaining 259 yards on the groundand 172 through the air. Chuckie Burl gained 172 yards and a touchdown on23 carries. Darwin Pittman completed 15 of his 27 passes for 182 yards andthree touchdowns. Louis Gardner and Raydel Patterson combined to catch 11passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns. The East St. John defense heldKennedy to 121 yards, 42 passing.

“We won the game and that’s the big thing,” East St. John coach RonnieStephens said. “We played good. Overall offensively, defensively and specialteams, we did what we had to do to win the game.”The Wildcats will face a Shaw team this week coming off a 28-0 victory over Catholic of Baton Rouge Saturday. The Eagles, seeded seventh, improved to9-2 with the win. Shaw held Catholic to 66 yards in the game while rolling up315. Quarterback Terrence Anderson, subbing for Carlos Rachel who sat outwith a bruised foot, ran for two touchdowns and passed for another. Hefinished with 135 yards passing. Carl Castille led the rushing attack with 67yards on nine carries.

Rachel, if he plays, will be the key to the Eagles’ offense. The sophomorequarterback has had his ups and downs this season. He has directed theEagles to an average of 23.4 points per game this season but the Eaglesscored a combined 21 points in the two losses.

“We have to contain him and not let them get the big play throwing the football,” Stephens said. “If we do that we should be in the football game.”Rachel’s main weapons out of the option attack are Castille and wide receiver Ike Chekwa. Brook Adams will also get carries while Matt Broussard is at theother wide out spot. The line is a strength led by senior tackle JasperHarvey.

The defense pitched five shutouts during the season and the playoffs. Theunit is led by linebacker Cameron Vaughn and defensive back Chase Dardar.

The front line is solid with senior Mike Stewart and Bobby Barbier.

“We have to control the line of scrimmage,” Stephens said. “We have to giveDarwin time to throw and be able to run the football. We have to control theline because they are very good up front.”Stephens said it could come down to the team with the fewest mistakes.

“They are better football team than they were in the spring and we are too,” Stephens said. “It’s going to be a good football game.”The winner Friday advances to the quarterfinals to meet the winner of Rummel and Baker.

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