Sophomore running back John Emery has been recognized around Destrehan as being a special talent with great upside since he arrived at the school as a freshman. He can also call himself one of the rare players to earn a scholarship offer from LSU before his junior year. Emery rushed for 1,323 yards (10.6 yards per carry) and 13 touchdowns in 2016 while splitting time with senior Kristian Mosley, while adding 145 yards and two scores in the receiving department.
The 6’0, 195 lb. rusher will take the lead in the Destrehan backfield next season as Mosley graduates this year, and Destrehan coach Stephen Robicheaux is happy the young talent will be on his side for the next two years.
“He’s a special running back, we know that,” Robicheaux said. “He did a great job under the shadow of Mosley this year. We think he’s got great things ahead of him. The best thing about it, he’s a tremendous guy.”
REFLECTING ON CLASS OF 2017 — Robicheaux beamed as he spoke of his four signees at National Signing Day earlier this month, wide receiver Mike Young, quarterback Kohen Granier and offensive linemen Elijah Hayes and Dakota Torbert, cornerstones of a senior class that lost no regular season games over their four years at the school.
You know, it’s just a great day for everybody,” Robicheaux said. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for all four players to go on and play ball. Just such great kids who have represented Destrehan well.”
Young, who is headed to Notre Dame, is the consummate Fighting Irish recruit, Robicheaux believes.
“No doubt about it, when you talk about college football, you think of Notre Dame,” Robicheaux said. “It’s just a special place. He’s a Notre Dame kid. He works extremely hard and is both a great football player and a great person.”
Granier is off to Nicholls State to play for former Destrehan coach Tim Rebowe, who now heads the Nicholls program. He suffered a knee injury just before halftime in his team’s Week 4 win over Hahnville, sidelining him for the majority of the season’s remainder, though Granier tried to gut out a return for the postseason that wasn’t to be.
“What an incredible effort,” Robicheaux said. “He’s a kid that truly wanted to win for his team. He’s gonna have a great career at Nicholls. He’s that fighter who works extremely hard. For Tim Rebowe, to take a chance to offer him a scholarship after the injury, that’s special. It’s a great fit for both people.”
Torbert is headed to Louisiana-Monroe while Hayes will play at Southeastern. The two were anchors on a stellar Destrehan offensive line that paved the way for two 1,000 yard rushers.
“We lost 600 pounds today. If I were on a diet, it would be real good,” Robicheaux quipped. “Those are both very good players who did a great job for us. Our ability to run the ball was so crucial in taking pressure off (sophomore quarterback) J.R. Blood and allowing him to develop, and they were a huge part of it. They’ve done a tremendous job.”
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