Iowa short on wins, long on drama
Yellow Jackets know close games
After getting into the win column, Iowa head coach Tommy Johns said he’s hoping his team produces less drama this time around.
The Yellow Jackets (1-4, 1-1 District 4-3A) will visit St. Louis (1-4, 1-1) this weekend after a 13-12 win over Westlake. In that game, the ’Jackets escaped with the win when Westlake did not convert a late 2-point conversion.
Johns said his team has a habit of allowing late touchdowns.
“We keep preaching that you have to play four good quarters,” he said. “One of our goals is not to give up touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but we have done it just about every week. I’m still looking for us to put a complete game together.”
The ’Jackets lost their district opener by allowing Jennings to score 16 fourth-quarter points, including the winning field goal as time expired.
Johns said consistency on defense and the ability to finish drives is what his team needs to rebound in the second half of the regular season.
“Offensively we have been moving the ball,” he said, “but we have had drives stall and not converted them into points. We have to finish drives. Defensively, we have played pretty good for three quarters, then let up in the fourth quarter.”
Johns said he expects a challenge from the Saints who are looking to rebound from a loss to Lake Charles College Prep.
“They are much improved,” Johns said of the Saints. “They have good skill guys on offense and a solid quarterback. Defensively, they are big up front and have two linebackers that can run. The are well-organized. And, of course, they are great in the special teams.”
Johns said the ’Jackets have an eye on the district title.
“The district race is wide open, even with the loss,” he said. “You just have to take them one game at a time. We have to focus on St. Louis.”
Other games
Prep will try to remain in control of the district race when it faces a resurgent South Beauregard team tonight in Longville. Prep (5-0, 2-0) and Jennings (3-2, 2-0) are tied atop the standings. The Bulldogs step out of district play to host Jeff Davis Parish mate Welsh (3-2) Friday night.
The Trailblazers can set a program record for wins in a season by beating the Golden Knights. To do so, they will have to contain South Beauregard running backs Jayden Derouen and Colby Hollier, who have combined to run for 1,013 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The Blazers counter with Orenthal Lewis and D’Marcus Miller, who have combined for 821 yards and 11 TDs.
Washington-Marion (2-3, 0-1) travels to Westlake (1-4, 0-2) with both teams in search of their first district win. J.J. Ross leads the Rams with 533 rushing yards and seven TDs while W-M’s Carrington Mc-Clinton has run for 527 yards and five TDs.
In District 5-3A, Iota (5-0, 2-0) looks to remain perfect when it travels to face Crowley. The Gents (3-2, 1-1) are 2-0 against area teams, beating Iowa and Westlake in the first two games of the season.
Yellow Jackets Jedd Self (22) tries to stiff arm LaGrange’s David Williams during the their game of the SPOT Therapy/Billy Navarre Chevrolet Jamboree at Sulphur High School in Sulphur, La., Friday, Aug. 24, 2018. (Rick Hickman/Lake Charles American Press)