EDGARD — The West St. John High football season started exactly how supporters would have scripted. Up until the very end.

There was a great crowd in Edgard as the Rams hosted rival St. James High.

The weather was perfect as the setting sun beneath miles of sugar cane fields paired with tolerable temperatures (not a given in South Louisiana) to give football fans the perfect backdrop on a Friday night.

The Rams started fast, controlling things on offense and defense in securing leads at the end of the first, second and third quarters.

Unfortunately, it didn’t last in dropping the contest by a tough 36-33 score.

There is no time to waste for coach Brandon Walters’ players, who will again be hosting Friday night football in Edgard, this week against visiting South Plaquemines, which is fresh off a Week 1 victory over Belle Chasse, 8-0.

Rams quarterback D’Andrea Goudia, who finished with 103 yards passing last week, will look to lead the Rams to victory. If West St. John can finish strong (the Rams were outscored 21-0 in the fourth quarter last week), then the script will be complete.

Destrehan at St. Charles Catholic

The Comets welcome perennial 5A powerhouse and next-door parish neighbor Destrehan High into LaPlace for St. Charles’ home opener.

Each team is coming off victories, and SCC coach Frank Monica is coming off history. The veteran of area sidelines picked up career high school coaching win No. 250 last week after SCC defeated Chalmette 29-0.

The Comets’ keys to victory rest on another excellent performance from their defense and terrific play from running back Narquez Jones.

Jones, who rushed for 168 yards on 20 carries, scored from five yards out last week in notching his team’s final touchdown. Jones did some of his damage from the quarterback position, taking direct snaps before charging into the enemy’s defense.

He, along with junior Sutton Bourgeois, could see a lot of time at quarterback after veteran starter Lloyd Nash suffered a major shoulder injury in Week 1.

Receiver Taylor Miller is coming off four receptions and 68 receiving yards and offers whoever is at quarterback a reliable option through the air.

Joseph Chiarella (68 rushing yards and a score) gives Comets fans another offensive star to cheer for.

Destrehan, which topped Slidell by 24 points last week, will be looking to start strong and keep the St. John Parish crowd out of the contest.

To do so, the Wildcats simply need to follow their Week 1 formula, which included four unanswered touchdowns to start and dominating play from John Emery, who scored three first half touchdowns, including a 70-yard run and a 55-yard reception.

Barbe at Riverside

It might be home game No. 2, but it’s also Reserve game No. 1.

The Rebels are hosting Barbe Friday night, eight days after their home opener was moved up a day and transported to Walker High School.

Sporting a 1-0 record, Riverside will again be led by quarterback Jordan Loving.

He torched Southern Lab last week, completing 11 passes for 221 yards and three touchdowns.

Jeremiah Bigham hauled in two catches for 101 yards during the Week 1 victory.

The Rebels defense looks to continue its strong play after last week’s 54-0 shutout, which included four forced fumbles.

Kash Foley continues to be a threat in the return game after returning a free kick for a score last week in what proved a dominant first two quarters as RA led 44-0 at halftime.

Barbe enters the game 1-0 after a 56-13 victory over Ponchatoula. The Buccaneers followed a similar script as Riverside, starting strong in opening a 42-6 halftime lead.

Barbe is bound to be confident on offense, led by Devin Bates, who threw for three touchdowns last week.

The running game is also formidable as Luke Richard, Zene Chretien, Dana Fontenot and Kalijha Lorden combined for five scores on the ground.

West Jefferson at East St. John

The Wildcats get to stay in St. John Parish for their home opener, looking to finish strong after starting last week on a positive note before fading late in the contest.

East St. John lost 38-13 to the Plaquemine Green Devils but have a lot to build on.

Quarterback Duke Crosby can make plays, showing so with touchdown passes of 35 yards (Cameron Grant) and 17 yards (Keith Matt).

Plaquemine only outgained East St. John 129-121 in the first half.

Wildcats defenders were in position for two interceptions but both were dropped.

After the game, coach Alden Foster said the drops were costly because they were set up to be returned for touchdowns.

West Jefferson is coming off a tough showing last week, losing 41-7 to Hahnville and giving up more than 400 rushing yards.

Hahnville led 28-0 before West Jefferson got on the board on a Dijon Singleton touchdown reception from Wallace Lucas.