Football season kicks off in St. Charles

It may not seem like football season due to the sweltering heat, but players at both Hahnville and Destrehan high schools will strap on their helmets and don their pads for the annual kick off of football in St. Charles - the Ed Reed Jamboree.

The jamboree begins on Thursday night at Destrehan High School. Hahnville will face off against St. James at 6 p.m. and the Wildcats will take on Lutcher at 7:30 p.m. The teams don't play a full game, but instead go at each other for two 15-minute halves.

Thousands of fans attend the event, which gives many their first glance at the current teams.

This year, Hahnville is filled with several new starters after losing a majority of the team's players to graduation. Destrehan, meanwhile, has almost everyone back from a team that struggled last year, but gained plenty of experience.

We have been fortunate to have two very successful football programs in St. Charles. In the last decade, Hahnville and Destrehan have combined for three state championships. The Tigers won the state title in 2003, while Destrehan won back-to-back state championships in 2007 and 2008.

Because of the success of both programs, several players have gone on to great careers in football. Currently, there are seven former parish players on NFL rosters. Four of those players, Ed Reed, Dawan Landry, LaRon Landry and Mike Scifres are all big contributors for their respective programs.

The Landry brothers are from Hahnville, while Reed and Scifres played football at Destrehan. Overall, 43 players from St. Charles are currently playing football at the collegiate or professional level, which is an astounding number.

So head out to Destrehan to take in some high school football Thursday - There's a good chance you will be watching a future pro in action.