The race is on in District 3-3A, with the St. Louis Saints throwing their hat into the ring with a 23-13 win over defending champion Lake Charles College Prep Friday night.

The Saints (6-1, 4-0) outscored the Trailblazers 15-0 in the fourth quarter. Quarterback James Reina scored both touchdowns and defensive back Hank Hebert had an interception to set up the winning drive.

The Saints defense picked off three passes and limited LCCP (3-4, 2-1) to six points in the second half.

The loss ended the Blazers’ 16-game district winning streak.

Saints head coach Brock Matherne said his team went into the game confident after losing 34-20 to LCCP last year.

“We gave them hell last year and knew we were better than last year, when we had 16 sophomores playing,” Matherne said. “We just believe in us. We don’t really focus on the opponent. We focus on us doing the little things right and letting the outcome take care of itself.”

Trailing 13-8 entering the final quarter, the Saints took a 16-13 lead with 9:45 left on a 7-yard run by Reina.

On the second play of the ensuing drive, Hebert intercepted a deep pass down the sideline.

The Saints drove 64 yard in eight plays, capped by a 3-yard Reina run with 4:16 left.

Reina finished with 105 rushing yards and 97 passing yards. Matherne said Reina sets the tone for the Saints.

“When I got hired last year I went to a baseball game and I knew he was our quarterback just watching him take the field,” Matherne said. “He has a certain swagger to him. He believes he is the best player on the field. With the confidence he has in himself and his teammates, he is a natural-born leader. He is a special kid.”

LCCP running back Dylen Rubin scored on a pair of 5-yard runs to twice give the Blazers the lead. Saints defensive back Colton Wood set up the first Saints score, a 1-yard run by Reina, with a 75-yard interception return.

“We felt comfortable with the speed we had on defense,” Matherne said. “We saw some mismatches we could take advantage of and our kids did a great job of preparing all week. Our number one core value is effort and we had 11 guys going to the football at all times.”

Josiah Bushnell led the Blazers with 119 passing yards and 72 rushing yards.

The Blazers will need St. Louis to lose one of its two remaining district games (against Iowa and Jennings) and win out to continue its streak of four consecutive seasons with at least a share of the district title.