Destrehan offense must get back on track after disappointing showing

Jonathan Menard

Penalties kept the Wildcats and Kevin Smith from establishing much of a running game during a scrimmage against Salmen.

Destrehan's scrimmage against Salmen last week was a tale of two units. The defense was able to contain a talented Spartans offense for most of the contest, but the offense struggled mightily and will remain a huge question mark going into the 2010 season.

"I thought the defense played well," Destrehan head coach Chris Stroud said. "Salmen has a lot of offensive weapons and we were able to stop them on some series. They did score a couple times on us later, but that was mainly due to field position."

The reason the Wildcat defense had to fight with their backs against the wall was because of Destrehan’s lack of a passing game.

"I was disappointed with the offense," Stroud said. "Our passing game struggled…we did have some guys open on screens, but we couldn't get them the ball. (Salmen) put a lot of pressure on us and Taylor (Dunn) rushed his throws."

Dunn was under constant pressure last season, which often led to interceptions or wayward passes. The Destrehan coaching staff reduced the playbook this year and added a lot of short routes to alleviate that pressure. But the Wildcat offense was never able to get into rhythm due to penalties and other costly mistakes.

"We didn't even get to establish a running game because we had mistakes that put us in long-yardage situations," Stroud said.

Stroud will look for improvement in the passing and running games as well as the offensive line when his team plays Lutcher in the Ed Reed Jamboree that will be held at Hahnville. The game is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Like Salmen, Lutcher is loaded on offense and will test the Wildcat defense.

"In Lutcher, we are going to play another well-coached team that has a lot of weapons on offense, particularly Jarvis Landry and Daniel Taylor," he said. "We are going to have our hands full."

Taylor, who will only be a junior this year, is as good as any running back in the state. He already has offers from Auburn, Tennessee and Southern Miss. That offer list will only grow after this season.

Landry is considered the best receiver in the state and has already committed to LSU. He finished with 1,406 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns last season.

The Wildcat defense will have their hands full stopping both of those players, but the Destrehan offense will have to battle against a talented Lutcher defense.

"They are always aggressive and they have a good looking secondary because some of their offensive guys play both ways," Stroud said. "I'm definitely going to look for improvement in the line and in the passing game. Hopefully we can avoid some of the mistakes we made on offense in the scrimmage and get Taylor in a good flow early."