Rebels draw tough foe by Joe Durham, Jr. - posted Wednesday, September 13th, 2006 @ 9:16 am  E-mail Story |  Print Story  The West Monroe Rebels are 2-0 already but coach Don Shows isn't at all pleased with the way the Rebels got there. The Rebels pulled out another squeaker last Friday night when they scored 15 points in the final five minutes to win by an 18-17 margin over the Carencro Bears. This week, West Monroe travels to St. Amant to take on the Gators. This is the last non-district game for the Rebels before the district season begins a week later, and Shows would like nothing better than for the team to be better prepared. "We're just not very dadgum good right now," Shows said. "If we don't make a little more effort we'll be in trouble." The Gators, on the other hand, are 0-2 at the start of the season. "I'm surprised they're 0-2," Shows said. "They've shot themselves in the foot like we have. It should be a tough game. They like to throw the football." St. Amant uses a spread offense and a 4-2-5 defensive setup. "They've got some good looking people," Shows said. "They've got two quarterbacks they use and they can both throw the football. They've got good receivers." The Rebels had been having to use sophomore quarterback Jordan Pleasant in place of the injured Shelby Aulds. Shows said Aulds was expected to be suited up on Friday but he didn't think he would be used any. "We may use him for punting," Shows said. Pleasant was five of eight for 80 yards and one touchdown, an 11 yard toss to Will Blackwell. Pleasant scored the second West Monroe touchdown, a one-yard plunge. The Rebels' other score was a safety. LaDarius Abrams was the Rebels leading rusher. He had 79 yards on 17 carries. Mario Wiley had three catches for 59 yards. "Mario is doing what I thought he could. I couldn't ask for more from him," said Shows. Last season the Gators and the Rebels got in to a wild scoring contest with the Rebels prevailing, 49-28. "We haven't beaten them in three years," St. Amant coach David Swacker said. "We've managed to score some but they're pretty good. We have the potential to be pretty good. We hope to get a little better." St. Amant uses two quarterbacks, Chris Morello and Josh Jordan. "They're neither one very good," Swacker said. His best performer is running back Brady Miles, who has gained 100 yards in each ot the first two games, and he also runs back kickoffs and punts.. "Our defense is the strongest suit of our team," Swacker said. "They are the most improved part and the most consistent."