Last week was the calm before the storm for Destrehan.
The Wildcats earned an opening round bye in the Division I non-select playoffs, by virtue of an 8-2 record and the third overall seed.
It meant a little time to heal up for those who need it, and a little extra time to prepare.
“We were able to get in some good practices and meeting time,” said Destrehan head coach Marcus Scott, who has guided his Wildcats to a top 10 seed in all six of his seasons at DHS and a top 5 seed in five of those years. It was good to kind of heal up a little bit and recharge. We’ll see if it works out to our benefit or not, but we certainly try to use our time wisely.”
Interestingly enough, Destrehan has specifically earned the No. 3 seed in three of the past four seasons, including 2023 and 2022. That 2022 campaign saw Destrehan finish strong, to say the least, capturing the Division I non-select state championship with a 17-10 win over Ruston at the Superdome. That season also included a bye week – this program has grown quite seasoned when it comes to maximizing a week off.
Destrehan has made runs to five state semifinals and two state finals (including the aforementioned championship win) over the past nine seasons.
If the Wildcats are to make another push, it begins Friday night with its playoff opener – a date at Wildcat Stadium against visiting Ouachita Parish.
This is a familiar foe for Destrehan. The two teams faced off last year in the opening round of the playoffs. The then-10th seeded Wildcats advanced via a 30-12 victory over the Lions, who entered that night as the 23rd seed. Jackson Fields threw three touchdown passes and Jabari Mack hauled in two of them to lead Destrehan offensively.
Both teams are higher seeds this time around, and both teams have plenty of returning starters that can call back upon last year’s experience. Ouachita advanced to round two with a 24-21 victory at home over St. Amant.
“We kind of have a history with them and with other schools up north,” said Scott. “They’re always a well-coached opponent. I believe they have 18 starters returning from last year’s team … they’re a big, fast, physical team from North Louisiana.”
At 7-4, Ouachita Parish’s record is deceiving – as was the case last season as well. The Lions hail from District 2-5A, which means this is a team very, very used to facing Louisiana’s top competition. 2-5A includes Alexandria, Neville, West Monroe and defending 5A non-select champion Ruston among its ranks.
Perhaps more noteworthy is how Ouachita pushed those teams. Last season, it battled West Monroe and Ruston in eventual two and one point losses, respectively, but lost in lopsided affairs to Alexandria by 43 and Neville by 27.
Those teams were in for a fight this season, with three games coming down to one score – losses to Ruston, 21-14, Neville, 38-37, and Alexandria, 28-21 – along with a 39-25 loss to West Monroe.
“And to think it will be any different (than a close game) Friday night wouldn’t be very wise on our part,” Scott said. “That’s a team that, if you just judge by their record, you’re making a mistake.”
Leading the way for Ouachita is senior defensive tackle Dylan Berymon, who at 6’2, 330 pounds is quite the detour for the opposing rushing attack – and much more. Berymon has been highly sought after at the next level and was headed to the University of Texas before decommitting – he has a broad choice of top end schools to choose from.
Scott said that as big as Berymon is, it’s combined with an explosiveness that’s made him an elite collegiate recruit – and a threat Destrehan will have to find a way to neutralize as much as possible.
“He’s a good athlete, and he has experience. His explosiveness, his leverage, how he can shed blockers. It’s a lot of fun to watch when you don’t have to play against him,” Scott said. “Everybody in the nation is recruiting him.”
Cornerback Wydell Clark Jr. is another standout on defense, and Destrehan will also see him plenty on offense as well. Clark starts on both sides of the ball and is also a strong returnman on special teams.
“He creates a lot of problems, be it offense, defense or in the kicking game,” Scott said.
Overall, the Lion defense is fast and flies to the ball, Scott said, and it challenges teams with aggressive man coverage.
“That’s something we’ve seen some of, but this will be one of the most athletic groups that we’ve faced all season,” said Scott.
Offensively, Ouachita wants to control the game via the run, but Scott warns that the potency of the Lions’ running game makes the team’s passing game so much more dangerous.
“They run it more than they pass it, but that works into their play-action game,” said Scott. “(Quarterback Montrell Conner) is a dynamic playmaker for them. He makes a lot of plays on the move, scrambling and throwing the ball downfield. He created a lot of problems for us last year.”
Running back Macario Dade has track-level speed, as does Clark, so this team can strike quickly.
This week marks a significant personal milestone for Scott as well.
It’s two years since his kidney transplant in 2023, giving him a new lease on life after what was a long battle with kidney disease.
“Man, I feel great – I really do,” Scott said. “I’m beyond blessed – so much support from family, friends, the community. It’s been a wild ride to say the least, but all is well.”
IMPACTING THE GAME – Damien Richard II finished the regular season by leaving his mark on both sides of the ball.
He rushed for two touchdowns in his team’s district-clinching win over Thibodaux, while he made five tackles, broke up a pass and recovered a fumble on defense.
“Damien is very productive,” said Scott. “He’s multi-talented, a very versatile athlete so we try to put him in position to make as many plays as possible.”
