The Destrehan defense stood tall Friday night as it recorded its first shutout of the season, holding River Parishes rival East St. John scoreless in a 36-0 victory.
Malachi Dabney scored three times for Destrehan (4-1, 2-0), which led 26-0 at halftime.
East St. John had one first half drive that reached the Destrehan redzone – a one-handed highlight catch by Deontae Fleming on a deep pass from Damon Scott set that up – but DHS pushed ESJ back to the 30-yard line before a fourth down pass fell incomplete.
A 35-yard Ian Arceneaux field goal got Destrehan on the board with 5:35 left in the first quarter. A 52-yard Dabney breakaway run made it 9-0.
A stop of ESJ deep in the latter’s territory led to a Jaylan Ash punt return that set up DHS on the ESJ 16-yard line. Dabney punched in his second touchdown to make it 16-0.
East St. John had its best drive of the first half on the ensuing possession. An Avant Carter sack highlighted a DHS defensive stand deep in its own territory, and a fourth down stop.
Destrehan marched down to the ESJ 4-yard line in just three plays – Aushai Smith dound Landyn Dugas on a long gain and then Ash on another chunk play, then Dabney got DHS inside the 5. Smith took it in on a keeper to make it 23-0. Arceneaux added a field goal to end the first half.
Dabney scored to cap the first DHS drive of the second half. Sam Munoz kicked a field goal to round out the scoring for Destrehan.
East St. John dropped to 2-3 overall with the loss, 1-1 in District 7-5A.
