Destrehan offense must make most of opportunities against E.A.

It has been a tough season for the Destrehan Wildcats.

After two years of undefeated play, Destrehan has already lost five games this season, with only two more games remaining in the regular season.

Their last game, a 41-9 defeat to East St. John, was typical of their big losses this year. When the Wildcats have faced teams with several playmakers on offense, such as Lutcher, Hahnville and East St. John, they have trouble keeping those players out of the endzone.

Nothing illustrates that fact more than the loss to East St. John. Quarterback Kalen Henderson had a field day against Destrehan, tossing four touchdowns to Dhaquille Williams. Williams, who looks to be the top receiver in the state, simply out jumped, out ran and out played the Destrehan defensive backs.

The big wideout finished with five catches for 140 yards and hadfour scoring grabs of 30, 26, 40 and 7 yards. Henderson finished 11-for-18 passing for 219 yards.

Williams also intercepted a pass and returned the ball 99 yards for a touchdown. But the score was called back as East St. John was flagged for a block in the back on the return. He also scored on a reverse in the first half, but it too was called back because of a penalty.

“We did not play good at all,” Destrehan head coach Stephen Robicheaux said. “They were a better team then us, and we didn’t play well. We just didn’t make plays when we needed to and the game got away from us.”

Destrehan entered the red zone twice in the first half, but East St. John forced a turnover and held Destrehan to a field goal.

Adding to the Wildcats’ trouble last week was the fact that quarterback Taylor Dunn got knocked out in the second quarter. Destrehan had to play the second half with sophomore Dillan Dent, who had only been used so far this year as a running threat.

“Dillan did OK,” Robicheaux said. “He played like a sophomore, but he was put into a tough situation.”

The Wildcats’ only bright spot on offense against East St. John was Henry Lenox, who gained just over 100 yards on the ground, mostly from the Wildcat formation.

“Henry really stepped up for us, but it was too late for us to do anything then,” Robicheaux said.

The Wildcats have played an extremely tough schedule this season, and will enter their last two regular season games as favorites. First up is East Ascension, who is 4-4 on the season and 1-2 in district.

The Spartans’ victories have come against Reed, Ellender, Bonnabel and St. Amant. They have lost to Denham Springs, LaGrange, Hahnville and East St. John. They are averaging close to 22 points per game and give up an average of 19 points per contest.

What makes the Spartans tough to deal with is the fact that they always try to dominate the time of possession. That keeps the opposing team’s offense off the field and gradually wears down defenses.

“East Ascension does a good job of ball control and they are going to do what they can to keep our offense on the sidelines,” Robicheaux said. “They are very scrappy.”

On defense, Robicheaux said that the Spartans have a good front seven, and send several players to the football on each play.

“This game is going to come down to who can control the line of scrimmage,” he said.

 

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