Wildcats, Tigers gear up for spring games

Photo by Jonathan Menard

Destrehan must replace several key starters from last year’s team, but still has plenty of talent at the skill positions to compete again this year.

Destrehan and Hahnville football fans will get an early preview of next year's squads when both teams host spring games this week.

The Tigers will take the field on May 21, when they battle Rummel at 4 p.m. Hahnville head man Lou Valdin is excited about his Tiger squad, which returns several starters on both sides of the ball since the team’s lineup was littered with sophomores last season.

Hahnville finished the 2008 season with a 6-4 overall record and a 3-2 district mark, and made it to the first round of the playoffs where they eventually lost to Dutchtown.

Destrehan, who will take on H.L. Bourgeois at 5:30 p.m. on May 22, is coming off of back-to-back 5A state titles. However, the Wildcats will have to replace several starters next season, and the spring has given head coach Stephen Robicheaux time to see his young players in action, as well as some key returnees who will be counted on to anchor the team.

“We have a lot of young kids who are learning well and have improved as the spring has gone on, which is all you can ask for as a coach,” he said. “Offensively, our receivers have played well and we have two backs who gained experience last year that we are confident in.

“The line has looked good and we have a big-time recruit there in Ashton Duhe.”

And Robicheaux will be able to tell even more about his squad when they hit the field on Friday.

“You can tell a lot about a player by the way he performs under the lights,” he said. “These guys have been hitting each other for almost three weeks and they are ready to line up against someone else.”