Wildcats looking for more consistency in running game

The Destrehan Wildcats will get one final tune up for the 2012 season when they host Lutcher in the Ed Reed River Parishes Jamboree Thursday night at 7:30 p.m.

Last year, the Wildcats held on to beat the Bulldogs 14-6 in the jamboree, and head coach Stephen Robicheaux will be looking for similar execution on both sides of the ball this time around.

"The jamboree serves as a dress rehearsal for the season and the guys are excited to go up against someone else," he said. "We want them to go out there and execute and make sure everyone knows where they are supposed to be."

Robicheaux’s squad is littered with new starters on both sides of the ball. Junior quarterback Donovan Isom played sparingly last season but will be called upon to lead the offensive charge. The Wildcats only return one running back from last season and lost their entire defensive line to graduation.

That means Robicheaux will have his eyes on the new starters.

"I just want to make sure we are doing what we are asked to do," he said. "We want to see them running to the football on defense and executing on offense. This game will serve as a measuring stick as to where the team is and how ready they are going to be the following week when we open the season."

Destrehan impressed last week when they outscored Salmen in a scrimmage. The Wildcats scored two touchdowns in the game while Salmen, who returns 18 starters from last year, managed only one. Senior Rickey Jefferson, who committed to LSU as a cornerback, made several big plays for Destrehan on offense and scored both the team’s touchdowns.

"I thought we did a good job of scoring with them. I was pleased with the way Donovan threw the ball," Robicheaux said. "We knew Rickey was going to be good, but the other receivers also did a good job."

The major concern Robicheaux has on offense is getting more consistency from the running game.

Defensively, the Wildcats gave up an early touchdown to Salmen. However, Robicheaux said the team buckled down from that point on.

"Other than that big play early, they played well," he said. "They ran to the ball well and the coaching staff did a good job of getting the guys prepared."

Destrehan and Lutcher will play against each other in two 15-minute halves. Hahnville and St. James will face off at Destrehan at 6 p.m.