Destrehan saw a 26 point second half lead cut to three at Slidell Friday night, but held on for a 33-23 opening week victory.
Karon Taylor’s 23-yard touchdown run with 2:36 remaining in the game pushed Destrehan’s lead to 33-23 and, for all intents and purposes, put the game out of reach for the host Tigers.
Destrehan coach Stephen Robicheaux credited Slidell for making it into a game down the stretch, and acknowledged his team will have some things to tighten up going forward. But overall, he was pleased with the victory.
“I dunno if it was more us or more them,” Robicheaux said of the comeback. “They did a tremendous job. They did some things that hurt us tonight. We made some mistakes that we’re going to have to correct.But it’s Week 1. We won, we beat a good Slidell team on the road. I’m happy with that.”
Destrehan seemed to have things well in hand when linebacker C.J. Prieto stripped a Slidell ballcarrier and returned the fumble 40 yards for a touchdown to make it 26-0 with 7:09 left in the third quarter.
“Basically, they ran inside zone up the middle. My defense, great teammates stood them up. I ripped it out and next thing I know I’m running down the field with it in my hands,” said Prieto, who noted the score was his first career touchdown. “It felt great. Almost unreal.”
But Slidell did not go quietly. The Tigers scored three straight touchdowns, the second coming after successfully executing and recovering an onside kick. Kyron Smith’s 80-yard touchdown run and the ensuing two-point conversion pulled Slidell within three at 26-23.
After Slidell forced a punt to get the ball back with 6:39 left to play, DHS punter Will Sirmon’s kick was downed at the 1, pinning Slidell against its own goalline. The Tigers were forced to punt before Destrehan put the game in the hands of Taylor and their mammoth offensive line. Taylor chewed up 39 yards on four runs and scored the game-sealing touchdown.
Hunter Breit kicked two field goals for Destrehan in the first half. Kohen Granier connected with Justin Jefferson for a first half touchdown, while Chad Serrano’s 12-yard touchdown run provided Destrehan with an early score in the third quarter.
Granier completed 14 of 20 passes for 203 yards on the night.
“I like this team. I just think we need to get an identity,” Robicheaux said. “We did (run it at a faster pace) tonight. We set out to run it and wear them down and toward the end I thought we were able to take advantage.”
To see photos of the night’s action, check out the Destrehan at Slidell photo gallery at https://www.heraldguide.com/siphotos/2015/09/04/dhs-at-slidell.
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