Matt Saucier ran for a touchdown and passed for another as John Curtis defeated St. James, 28-13, to win the Class 2A Louisiana High School Athletic Association championship Friday night in the Superdome.

The Patriots, runners-up in District 10-2A, won their fourth straight state championship, third straight in Class 2A, and 22nd overall. They finished 12-2 after avenging a 16-14 loss to the Wildcats on Oct. 26.

St. James, champion of District 10-2A, finished 12-3.

After a scoreless first quarter, St. James took a 7-0 lead on Juarell Narcisse's 1-yard touchdown run with 10:59 remaining in the second quarter. Curtis tied the score when Blaine LeBlanc ran 16 yards for a touchdown with 5:04 left.

The Patriots took a 14-7 halftime lead after Vincent Allen scored on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Saucier with 1:13 left in the second quarter. They increased the lead to 21-7 on Alex Lauricella's 47-yard interception return for a touchdown with 5:38 remaining in the third quarter.

The Wildcats cut the lead to 21-13 when Luther Ambrose ran 63 yards for a touchdown with 3:59 left in the third quarter.

Curtis increased the lead to 28-13 when Saucier scored on a 1-yard keeper with 10:01 left in the fourth quarter.