Accomplished head coach captaining host Walker
Destrehan has been impressive so far this season—and might the Wildcats have a few more tricks up their sleeve for their Week Two game at Walker, as they attempt to move to 2-0?
The plan for DHS coach Stephen Robicheaux and his staff has been to run the ball early in the season to take pressure off first-year starting quarterback Damarius Jackson. That plan’s been successful and then some—Kyle Edwards and Razan Keller have been feasting behind a large, imposing offensive line.
But Jackson has been eating a bit in his opportunities as well, throwing the ball accurately and running offensive coordinator Greg Boyne’s offense with precision.
It’s possible Destrehan could expand the playbook early, given the quick study Jackson’s proven to be. In any case, Robicheaux is thrilled with what he’s seeing thus far from Jackson and several of the Wildcats’ first-year starters.
“We’re really, really excited about his progression so far,” Robicheaux said. “He’s throwing the heck out the ball and he made some real good throws Friday night. Hopefully, that keeps up, he keeps improving and we keep winning games.”
Walker bested Madison Prep 38-30 last week to start 1-0. The team earned a top 10 seed and hosted Hahnville last year in the first round of the playoffs, bowing out to the Tigers, and the team looks to progress further this year under first year head coach Chad Mahaffey.
Mahaffey led his team to three state crowns when he was the coach of University prior to his move to Walker.
“You saw what he did at University, so you really already know what he’s building over (at Walker),” Robicheaux said. “They’re going to beat a lot of good teams this year. They have some weapons back from last year that are real concerning.”
Brian Thomas is chief among those. The star wide receiver is the player Walker wants to get in space and feature the most.
“They try and get it to him. He’s the big threat,” Robicheaux said. “They’re gonna spread you out and get the ball in the hands of their receivers where they can do some damage. They play off that with inside runs, they like to test you up the middle. Lots of trap, lots of power. They really make you prepare for two different schemes. And I know Coach Mahaffey will have them prepared.”
Quarterback Ethan McMasters triggers that attack, while running back Keondra Brown is “like a bowling ball,” Robicheaux said.
Defensively, Walker shifts between a three and four man front and boasts a strong secondary. Dylan Sharp and Tristian Thompson key the team’s defense up front. Walker likes to play a lot of man-to-man defense, so the opportunities for big plays could be there—and should be, if Jackson connects as well with his receivers as he has so far this season.
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