Malachi Dabney got off to a fast start in his final regular season home game at Wildcat Stadium.
A very, very fast start.
Dabney scored three touchdowns in the first quarter on a night he finished with four scores as Destrehan rolled on its senior night, 49-0 over Terrebonne.
It was also the second shutout of the season, and in the past four weeks, for the Destrehan defense.
“It was an emotional night, with the seniors’ last home game in the regular season,” said Destrehan head football coach Marcus Scott. “I was happy the kids were able to handle that part of the game … starting fast on offense helps the defense. Being able to kick the ball into the endzone and make them drive 80 yards is a huge weapon for us. I think it all starts with those two things.”
For Destrehan, it was a sixth consecutive win, moving the Wildcats to 7-1 this season and an unbeaten 5-0 in District 7-5A play. Terrebonne dropped to 3-5 overall and 1-3 in district play.
Dabney already had two touchdown runs when he broke loose for his third, a 26-yard score – there was still 3:11 remaining in the quarter, and the Wildcats led 28-0.
Aushai Smith dialed up a 25-yard touchdown pass to Landyn Dugas to make it 35-0 in the second quarter. Then Dabney appeared to score on a pass from Smith, but the play was called back by penalty.
But on the very next play, Smith found Dabney again for a 25-yard touchdown pass, making it 42-0. Destrehan’s Donald Thomas intercepted a pass just before halftime and that 42-0 score held into the break.
The lone score in the second half came via backup quarterback Denham Ellsworth, who ran in a touchdown.
Destrehan also blocked a punt in the game that led to the team’s second touchdown, with Brian Reed coming through with the block.
The Wildcats have won all six games during its current win streak by double figures.
“We’ve been able to really focus on cleaning up the penalties. I think that’s the biggest difference,” said Scott. “The effort has always been there. But you can play hard and not play well. Our goal is to play hard and play well. And we have to meet our goals each week, and before looking at the film, I’d have to say we were pretty close to them tonight.”
