ELTON – It is not always how you start, but how you finish, is what football coaches preach to their players.

That is exactly what happened in Elton Friday night as St. Edmund rallied to an 18-6 win over the Indians.

After a 50-minute weather delay, Elton scored on the seventh play of their opening possession of the scrimmage.

On fourth down on the Blue Jay 7, Elton quarterback Carson Ortego connected with wide receiver Willie Richardson for the touchdown.

St. Edmund’s opening series was not as productive as the Blue Jays had a fumble, an interception and three first downs

The St. Ed defense responded better in the Indians’ second series with a pick-off, a pass deflection and a quarterback sack.

“I thought we really picked up our tempo and our toughness after the first series,” St. edmund head coach Thomas David said. “I think we played better as it went on.

“But we did not start the way we needed to,” the coach said. “We do not the have the luxury to start slow on either side of the ball.

“We need to show up ready to play.”

The Blue Jays tied the game in their second series when Perry Pitre connected with Drew Brown for a 60-yard pass and run.

After a holding penalty pushed the Blue Jays back to their 22-yard line, Pitre found Austin LaFleur open for a 77-yard play that was stopped just short of the goal line.

“He broke a few tackles,” David said of the play. “It was good to see him get those yards after a catch.”

Pitre pushed the ball across to give the Blue Jays a 12-6 advantage.

On their final play of their offensive series, receiver Dray Veillon caught a tipped pass from freshman quarterback Drake Brunet for a 5-yard touchdown to give the Blue Jays a 18-6 margin.

The Blue Jay defense finished the night with a fumble recovery and three interceptions.

“We had some positives but a lot of stuff to work on,” David said. “Next week we will continue to see who will get on the field and compete.

“It is not about who we play, but how we play,” David said. “I thought we player harder as it went on and they (Elton) got tired.”

St. Edmund will take on Hanson Memorial at 5:30 p.m. Thursday night in the Opelousas Kiwanis Jamboree held at Donald Gardner Stadium.