RESERVE — Trailing 8-0 in a hard-fought first half with seconds remaining, coach Alden Foster knew his team needed a spark.

He went for the touchdown, passing on a chance for three points through a field goal try.

East St. John High wide receiver Javon Antonio started in the backfield and worked his way wide left before the snap. Quarterback Duke Crosby called for the ball and looked to his left also, throwing for the pylon even before Antonio broke that way.

The pass was on point, but so was the McDonogh 35 defensive back, who knocked the ball harmlessly to the ground. And like that, the half ended and with it, the Wildcats’ best opportunity to score.

In the end, East St. John High fell 29-0 Friday night to the Roneagles.

Following the game, Foster had no regrets about the late-first half call, saying he knew the only way to keep up with the Roneagles was to match them touchdown for touchdown.

He credited his defense with limiting McDonogh 35 to eight first-half points, adding an inconsistent Wildcats offense and too many plays on defense led to lapses late in the game and a final score that was not indicative of the contest’s close nature.

More than two dozen penalties, many of the personal foul variety, extended the game’s run time more than three hours and created a choppy feel in what started off as a hard-nosed defensive battle.

Senior Wildcats defensive back Isaiah Simpson actually got East St. John going in the first quarter with an early interception, but his play and that of his defensive teammates wasn’t met with the needed offense, Foster said.

“Offensively, we couldn’t get the ball in the endzone,” Foster said. “We moved the ball all night long, but when you get opportunities you have to take advantage of them against good teams.

“We gave up two big third down plays in the first half (leading to their scoring drive) and you can’t do that either.”

The loss knocks East St. John High to 1-2 on the season, with district play beginning next week.

In other St. John the Baptist Parish football action Friday night, St. Charles Catholic bumped its record to 3-0 by earning a convincing 20-0 victory over Wilkinson County, Miss.

Three games into the season the Comets defense is proving one of the best in the state, having allowed only eight points total and pitching two shutouts, both of which came on the road.

Also picking up a road win was West St. John High (2-1), which topped Bonnabel 35-12.

Rams coach Brandon Walters said prior to the game his that team was due for a road trip following two intensity-filled home games and his squad delivered, topping the Bruins by a comfortable margin.