When fans left Destrehan Friday night after the football team’s annual jamboree exhibition against Lutcher, they saw something that’s become a major rarity: a Destrehan loss.
Granted, the word “exhibition” needs to be stressed, at least a little: jamboree games do not count in the standings, after all. But only Acadiana has felled Destrehan since 2013, and the Wildcats haven’t lost on their own field at all since that ’13 season concluded. A spirited Lutcher team conquered a giant, in many ways.
But the giant is hardly slain, by any means, and knows it can wash away any memories of jamboree action with a convincing victory. A chance to achieve just that comes Friday night, as Destrehan hits the road to take on Slidell at 7 p.m.
“It’s that time of the year,” Destrehan coach Stephen Robicheaux said. “It’s our first official game, and everyone’s real excited, from our coaching staff to our players to the community.”
Slidell, which went 6-5 last season, comes off a dominant jamboree effort against Pearl River last week, a 35-0 victory highlighted by punt returner and standout safety Matthew LaFerrera, who returned two punts for more than 100 yards and a touchdown in the contest.
That fact hasn’t escaped the attention of Robicheaux. Destrehan allowed a 91-yard kickoff return to Lutcher’s Al’Dontre Davis to begin the second half Friday night, which provided the eventual winning points in the 26-21 decision.
“They had a lot of big runs on special teams,” Robicheaux said. “They stay really organized in that department and it makes a difference for them.”
Offensively, Slidell mixes and matches formations, providing a challenge for an opposing team to prepare for.
“They’ll spread you out, then bring everyone in tight and smash it through the I-formation,” Robicheaux said. “You’ve got to be ready for both against them. Coach (Larry) Farve’s done a tremendous job through the years. He’s had success in a number of places. There’s a reason for that.”
Slidell quarterback Wayne Griffin leads the offense, while Evan Barbot plays tailback in the I-formation and slot back in the Tigers’ spread sets. Terry Baham, a converted quarterback, is a towering presence at 6-foot-6, and will complement the team’s top returning receiver in Michael Stallworth, who already presents a mismatch for many cornerbacks at 6-foot-2.
“They’ve got some height at receiver,” Robicheaux said. “They can attack you in a lot of areas.”
Defensively, Robicheaux said his offense must navigate against a tall and rangy defensive line that aims to disrupt the Wildcats’ passing lanes. Outside linebacker Darrius Tillman is a playmaker and the Tigers’ vocal leader, while LaFerrera is a factor in the secondary.
“He makes plays all over the field,” Robicheaux said.
How the Destrehan secondary bounces back this week will be something to watch. DHS returns just one starter among its defensive backs this season, and Lutcher burned the Wildcats twice for big first half plays Friday night, with Lutcher’s Jontre Kirklin and Davis hooking up for long touchdown passes of 81 and 78 yards, respectively.
Robicheaux said that schematically, his team would approach things differently were it to face Lutcher going forward in regular season action, and suggested that the DHS secondary will be in better position this week.
“We wouldn’t play (Lutcher) in press man coverage,” he said. “There are some things we can do to help those guys (in the secondary) out.”
Destrehan’s second half jamboree comeback attempt was charged, in part, by backup quarterback Will Sirmon, who led DHS to 14 of its 21 points after relieving starting quarterback Kohen Granier at halftime.
Robicheaux, who said Granier tweaked his ankle and was held out of the second half for precautionary reasons, reaffirmed the junior as his starter, but credited Sirmon for his strong play against Lutcher.
“He was ready to play, and it’s a credit to a kid who prepares and is ready in case he might be called on,” Robicheaux said. “He did an unbelievable job. What makes us really happy is to know if Kohen can’t go at some point, we have a guy who can get the job done.”
He went on to say the Wildcats will use the jamboree as a learning experience.
“Nobody here can expect teams to come lay down for us just because we’re Destrehan,” he said. “It’s tough to overcome three big plays in a jamboree. We nearly did. I’m proud of that comeback effort by our guys.”
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