Destrehan coach says game serves as dress rehearsal for season

Wildcats return 6 starters on offense, 8 on defense

The Destrehan Wildcats will get one final tune up for the 2013 season when they take on Lutcher in the Ed Reed River Parishes Jamboree Thursday night at 6 p.m.

Last year, the Wildcats suffered a 23-13 loss to Lutcher, but Destrehan head coach Stephen Robicheaux is quick to downplay the jamboree’s outcome.

“We’ve lost jamborees and won state titles, so the outcome doesn’t mean anything,” he said.

Instead, Robicheaux said the jamboree serves as a dress rehearsal for the season and gives coaches one last opportunity to make sure players know where they are supposed to be in a game situation.

“It also gives us a chance to run through our pre-game activities and get those correct before the season starts,” Robicheaux said.

This season, Destrehan will field one of their most talented teams since their last state title in 2008. Senior quarterback Donovan Isom, who recently committed to the University of Utah, threw for over 1,800 yards in his first season as starter last year and will have even more targets to toss the ball to this time around.

Running back Will Mathews also returns and looks to improve upon an impressive sophomore season.

However, the Wildcats will have several new faces on the offensive and defensive lines, so Robicheaux will focus his attention on his new starters.

“I want to see them run to the football on defense and execute on offense,” he said. “We need to get everything we need done in the jamboree so we will be ready when the season starts. Of course we want to make it through without injuries.”

Destrehan returns six starters on offense and eight starters on defense this season. Last week, Destrehan traveled to Salmen High School for a scrimmage and Robicheaux liked what he saw from his squad.

“The kids played well, but of course there are things we need to work on,” he said. “Right now, I like where we are at.”

Destrehan and Lutcher will play against each other in two 15-minute halves beginning at 6 p.m. at Hahnville High School. Hahnville and St. James will face off after the conclusion of the Destrehan-Lutcher game.

Go to www.heraldguide.com for complete coverage following the game.