For Destrehan, District 8-5A play begins with what promises to be a slugfest between River Parishes rivals, both entering the week very hungry for a win.
Following a tough pre-district slate and a 1-2 start to the season, Destrehan jumps into district play against East St. John, which itself is climbing out of a pair of difficult pre-district matchups and an 0-2 start.
ESJ went 7-4 last season, reaching round one of Division I non-select and falling to No. 18 Central-Baton Rouge. The team began last season 7-0 but cooled down the stretch, falling in their final four games including that opening round loss.
The recent history between DHS and ESJ comes with some intensity. The Wildcats’ unbeaten season in 2022 was perhaps never in more danger than the late November quarterfinal between the teams in Reserve, a 21-20 Destrehan victory coming just a few weeks after a blowout DHS win to all but seal the district crown.
Last season, Destrehan won at home, 23-13, over ESJ, which will be the visitor again this time around.
“We don’t expect it to be any different (than the usual intense matchup between the teams). They’re always well-coached and they always play hard,” said Destrehan head coach Marcus Scott.
East St. John has struggled thus far this season, particularly on the offensive side of the football where the team has scored just seven points through two games – a 20-0 loss to St. James and a 34-7 loss to Hammond (the team did not play in Week 2).
Several of the playmakers who became familiar to followers of the Wildcats v. Wildcats series graduated from the ESJ ranks, including star playmaker Dkhai Joseph and quarterbacks Lorenzo Zeno and Kairian Smith.
But there’s plenty of talent here, including wide receiver Kendall Walker, who Scott calls a dynamic player.
“He can catch short passes and turn them into big gains. He can make you miss in the open field and he can run by you on deep routes. He also makes an impact in the kicking game,” Scott said.
ESJ is always a fast, physical team, and its defense has held up throughout the offensive struggles.
“Their defensive line is really good. They’re physical and they make a lot of plays,” said Scott. “As a whole, that defense runs to the ball well and when they get there, they’re physical.”
With Destrehan also entering the week with two losses, expect both teams to throw haymakers in a game each will no doubt look at with added importance.
Plus, of course, this is a district opener. With district play comes added stakes.
“With district play, it’s intense,” Scott said. “Whenever you’re playing a district opponent, the stakes are a little higher … you play a tough pre-district to get ready for these games … we’re familiar with them and they’re familiar with us.”
DHS’ two losses have come against some of the state’s top programs – a defending state champion in Catholic-Baton Rouge and a rising, dangerous Alexandria team. The latter of those games resulted in a 45-27 Alexandria win last week, with Destrehan playing without starting quarterback Jackson Fields for the second straight week.
Destrehan fell behind 14-0 in that game but battled to make it a game before Alexandria pulled away in the fourth quarter.
“I was proud of our effort. I thought there were a couple of plays that swung things early,” Scott said. “They had a short field on their first two possessions and got 14 quick points within the first five minutes. Once we settled down, we drove down the field and made it 14-7. I was proud of how the kids competed. I thought we played hard. We didn’t play well in spots, but I felt the effort was there.”
