Destrehan advances to state title game with win over West Monroe

The Destrehan Wildcats stormed out to a 21-3 lead over West Monroe – and held off a second half rally by the Rebels – to punch their ticket to the Class 5A state championship game with a 27-22 win on Friday.

Destrehan will advance to face Acadiana in the Superdome on Saturday, Dec. 13 with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

West Monroe struck first Friday night, taking a 3-0 lead on a field goal that was set up by a 52-yard run by quarterback Slade Bolden.

But the Wildcats dominated the rest of the first half.

During Destrehan’s next series, quarterback Kohen Granier threw a perfect pass to Tramaine Armstrong for a 50-yard gain that moved the Wildcats to the 15. On the next play, Granier found Alfred Smith in the back corner of the end zone to give Destrehan a 7-3 lead.

West Monroe tried to answer, but Destrehan defensive back Raekwon Morgan stepped in front of a Bolden pass at midfield and returned it to the Rebel 19.

Facing 3rd and 8, Granier kept the drive alive with an 11-yard pass to Smith. Destrehan running back Will Matthews picked up four yards to move the ball to the 2-yard line, then rushed through the middle for a score that put the Wildcats up 14-3.

Destrehan’s next scoring drive was also set up by a turnover when defensive lineman Gerald Wilbon recovered a West Monroe fumble at the Wildcat 39. Destrehan’s drive stalled, but the Rebels were called for roughing Wildcat punter Bailey Lanier on fourth down, which gave Destrehan new life.

Wildcat receiver John Williams made the most of it, catching a short screen pass and speeding 52 yards downfield to give his team a 21-3 lead with 7:09 left in the second quarter.

West Monroe fought off the rough start with an impressive third quarter. After being pinned at the 1-yard line by a Lanier punt, the Rebels marched 99 yards to make the score 21-10.

The Rebels then gambled with an onsides kick that they recovered at the 46. Bolden struck again a few minutes later with a 10-yard touchdown. However, the Rebels could not make the two-point conversion and trailed 21-16 with 7:26 left in the third.

Later in the quarter, the Rebels took advantage of a Destrehan miscue when the snap sailed over Granier’s head and was recovered by West Monroe at the 15. On the next play, Bolden ran up the middle for a 15-yard touchdown that gave the Rebels a 22-21 lead.

But the Wildcats responded, taking the lead back on the next drive.

Williams ran out of the wildcat formation for a first down, and Granier found Smith for a 22-yard gain to the Rebel 27.

On 3rd and 10. Granier connected with Armstrong for a 9-yard gain, and the Wildcats faced fourth down and inches from the 5. But West Monroe jumped offsides, giving the Wildcats a fresh set of downs.

Matthews gave his team a lead they would not relinquish with a 2-yard touchdown run.

Click here to view photos from the game.

 

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