By John Glover

The Daily News

The Varnado Wildcats defeated the St. Martin Saints on Friday by the final score of 40-14. The Wildcats went into the District 8-1A game with a 2-0 district record and 4-3 overall, while the Saints were 2-1 in district and 3-5 for the season.

The Wildcats, led by quarterback James Williams, hit the ground running with a four-play drive that ended with a pass to Armontee Kemp and a touchdown just one minute into the game. It was the first of two touchdown passes by Williams; the second was to Travon Stokes from the 11-yard-line with five minutes left in the first half. Both touchdowns were followed by two-point conversion attempts, but the Saints managed to push Williams and the Wildcats back.

The Wildcats made good use of their running game as well, with another three touchdowns. Stokes took a handoff from Williams in their second drive of the first quarter and pushed through on a 35-yard run for a touchdown. Williams and Desmond Harry were good on the conversion attempt that followed. At the start of the second quarter, Harry took a handoff from Williams at the 6-yard-line for a touchdown. The Wildcats tried another conversion but couldn’t make it. Halfway through the second quarter, a handoff to Jadarrell Magee at the 12-yard-line got the Wildcats’ running game yet another touchdown.

The Saints had two touchdowns of their own. The first came four minutes into the game when Williams fumbled the ball at the Wildcats’ 25. Jack Fleishmann recovered the ball and returned it for the touchdown. The Saints added the final score of the game after an eight-play drive opening the fourth quarter, which ended with a pass from Ethan Everitt to John Hurley from the 10.

The Wildcat defense stepped up with some big plays of their own, including a touchdown and four turnovers. In the first quarter, Errol Varnado made his first of his two interceptions of the game. Varnado’s second pick came a minute and a half into the third quarter.

Williams added a pick of his own at the end of the first half, shutting down the Saints’ longest drive of the game. Eddie Brooks made the final interception, and touchdown, with a minute left in the third quarter. Williams attempted a conversion without success.

“We’re still undefeated in district,” Varnado coach Scott Shaffett said. “Now we keep our eyes to the playoffs. We’ve got to play fast and play hard. We did that tonight.”

The Wildcats will play Houma Christian at home on Friday, Nov. 4. A victory would make the Wildcats district champions.