While the rest of Southwest Louisiana has been focusing on South Beauregard and Jennings in the District 4-3A race, the Iowa Yellow Jackets have put themselves into the driver’s seat for the title.

After two weeks in district action the Yellow Jackets sit alone atop the district standings at 2-0, one game ahead of South Beauregard, Jennings, St. Louis and their next opponent, Westlake, which are all 1-1.

Iowa (5-2) used its two district wins to bounce back from a two-game skid that ended their nondistrict slate.

Westlake (2-5) got back into the win column by topping Iota on the road after a four-game slide.

“You always feel better after a win and I thought we played great,” Westlake head coach Shawn Demeritt said. “We know we have a tough game coming up, but we have had a good week of practice so far. Our kids always practice hard and give their best effort in preparation.”

Rams quarterback Hunter Racca found his groove in the win by completing 11 of 13 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 111 yards and two more scores.

But this week Racca and company will face much stiffer competition when they face an Iowa defense filled with playmakers, including All-Southwest Louisiana defensive back Darius Janice, future Tulane safety Chaz Key, three-year starter Jarel Picquet and Andre Sam, who returned an interception for a touchdown in last week’s win over St. Louis.

“(Iowa) has some great athletes,” Demeritt said. “They make big plays and when you throw the ball into that secondary they are going up to get it.”

On the offensive side of the ball, the Yellow Jackets’ feature running back Colinje Wilridge (748 yards, 6 TDs) and quarterback Koby Buquet (871 yards, 6 TDs) who combine to create a deadly big play threat.

“They are very dangerous with the ball in their hands,” Demeritt said.

St. Louis at S. Beauregard

The Golden Knights (6-1) will return home to host the Saints (2-5) and will look to avenge their first loss of the season, which came at the hands of Jennings 26-19 a week ago.

Junior running back Shea Holland ranks sixth in the state with 1,321 yards and 14 touchdowns through seven games, and had his usual 200-plus yard outing against the Bulldogs last week.

The Saints boast a playmaking defense with Mac Thompson, Jacob Percle and Michael Mack that was able to knock off Jennings in the district opener at Cougar Stadium two weeks ago.

St. Louis has been able to play three of the five teams that defeated them within one touchdown.

Jennings at Iota

Jennings (5-2) looks to pick up its second consecutive win after being upset by St. Louis in the district opener against Iota (0-7, 0-2).

Sophomore running back Travis Etienne (955 yards, 13 TDs) ranks 21st in the state in rushing while Iota has been unable to stop anyone or find any offensive consistency of its own.(Rick Hickman/American Press)