MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / September 22, 1999

EDGARD – When he was freshman, West St. John’s Brian Lumar dideverything he could to get near the playing field, even volunteering to be a manager.

Three years later, the Rams still cannot get him off the field.

Lumar is the Rams’ “Mr. Everything.” He plays both ways, holding down theRam back spot on defense. He’s also the team’s punter, place kicker andpunt returner.

“He’s very valuable football player, West St. John coach Laury Dupont said.”He does so much for us. He never comes off the field.”But what Lumar does best is catch the football. He has been the startingreceiver for the Rams since he caught the coaches’ eyes coming out of spring practice before his sophomore year.

Lumar would lead the team in receiving that season, catching 45 passes for 520 yards and eight touchdowns, in receiving all-district, all-River Parishes and all-state honors. He would also make all-district and all-River Parishes again as a junior.

“He’s been the most consistent player on our football team for the last three years,” Dupont said. “He’s got the best hands. He’s made the bigcatches and he’s made the hard catches for us. Very seldom do you see himdrop a football.

“He’s a good blocker downfield and he’s a good runner on reverses and after catching the ball. He’s doing the job for us, inside as well asoutside.”Lumar started playing football with the Edgard Eagles on the Little League level. Even then, he was the one coaches wanted at the receiver’s spot.”It just came natural for me,” Lumar said. “To run out there and catch thefootball, it’s fun. The feeling you have.”Lumar’s teammates on those Little League teams included future teammates on the Rams, including Carl Gauthier and Dehaven Duronlset.

They made a promise that one day they would be on the team that would lead West St. John to a state championship.That promise became a reality last year. West St. John overcame an 0-2start and injuries to some of its top players to finish the regular season at 7-3. Then in the playoffs, the Rams rallied from 17 points down in thesemifinals against Loyola to advance to their first state championship game since 1994.

“Everybody doubted us,” Lumar said. “We had to show them. When westarted the playoffs, we worked hard and just did it.”Lumar still remembers the feeling of walking into the Superdome prior to the game, one in which the Rams defeated Riverside for the state title, 28-23.

“It felt like a big old concert,” Lumar said.

As the 1999 season is in its early going, Lumar knows that everybody is looking to knock the Rams from their perch as state champions.

“Everybody is coming after us because we are state champions,” Lumar said. “We just have to play like we did last year.”So far, the Rams have handled all comers, defeating St. James, Ellenderand H.L. Bourgeois to open the season 3-0. With Donriel Louis and ArlandaComminie missing time because of injuries, Lumar knew he had to step up his play. He has done just that, catching 12 passes for 231 yards and fourtouchdowns. Lumar has also provided solid punting and kicked an extrapoint in the Rams’ win at Ellender.

Against Bourgeois Friday night, Lumar had three catches for 85 yards and touchdowns of 15 and 54 yards.

With Louis, who saw his first action Friday, catching three passes for 39 yards; Marlon Jackson, who had three catches for 46 yards; and Jeremy Lumar, who had five receptions for 157 yards and two touchdowns going into the game, Lumar is an integral of a potent Rams’ passing game.

Leading that passing game is Gauthier who has completed 36-of-56 passes for 575 yards and nine touchdowns. In the Rams’ win Friday, the seniorwas 15-of-23 for 196 yards and three touchdowns. Part of the success isthe familiarity he has with his receivers, especially Lumar.

“We grew up together,” Lumar said. “We do everything together. He’s like abrother to me.”West St. John will need to be clicking again this week as they faceRidgewood in the District 9-2A opener for both teams. Ridgewood (1-2) iscoming off a 16-6 victory over Country Day to break a two-game losing streak.

The Eagles are led by running back Doug Depp and a deep offensive line that includes senior guard Tony Perez, but have struggled getting the ball into the end zone, scoring just 26 points this season.

The defense, which has allowed just 36 points through three games, is led by tackle Armando Soza, linebacker Ben Hunter and backs Jared Daigre and Nick Figaro.

Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at West St. John.As for Lumar, the goal for the season is to get his team another championship ring. After that, he would like a shot at playing at the nextlevel. The 6-foot, 180-pound senior is already getting looks from LSU,Tulane, Tennessee and Southern Miss amongst others, but said he will wait until after the season to make a decision.

“I want to complete the season and get another championship, graduate, attend college and hopefully play on the next level,” Lumar said.

West St. John plays Newman next week in District 9-2A action.

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