May 1, 2024

Destrehan hosts H.L. Bourgeois, aims for 19th straight win

September 28, 2023 Ryan Arena Football

1477 — Phillip Wright III of Destrehan (Photo courtesy Mason Dauphin/St. Charles Parish Public Schools)

The world knows already that Destrehan’s running game, led by Shane Lee, is a well-oiled machine. But as Destrehan prepares to host H.L. Bourgeois this Friday night, the Wildcats are fresh off a performance against archrival Hahnville that offers something of a warning to the Braves and future opponents: this passing game can be terrifying as well.

With Hahnville focused on slowing Lee, sophomore passer Jackson Fields made the Tigers pay to the tune of 15-of-18, 352 yards and five touchdowns. Three of those went to Johnnie Thiel IV, who had the best game of his career thus far, the junior posting five receptions for 150 yards and three touchdowns in Destrehan’s 47-11 victory at Hahnville in the District 7-5A opener for both teams.

“It’s important that people have to defend the entire field,” said Destrehan head coach Marcus Scott. “Whenever you’re making plays in the passing game and you’re able to run it, you kind of have an opportunity to be efficient offensively. It’s always good when you can kind of take what the defense gives you.

H.L. Bourgeois (2-2, 0-1) will be a heavy underdog when it arrives in Destrehan (4-0, 1-0) this Friday, but are nonetheless a much improved team from a season ago where the Braves went 1-9 overall. Bourgeois has already doubled that win total, notching victories over Ellender and West Jefferson thus far this season. The Braves struggled last week, however, in a 62-13 loss to Terrebonne.

“They’re much improved. Coach Washington does a good job down there,” Scott said. “A good quarterback and some good skill guys who are effective in their system. We need to take care of the ball and play well in all three phases, and see how much we can continue to improve from week to week. We are focused on getting a little bit better every week.”

Last season, Destrehan notched a 47-0 victory over Bourgeois. This time around, DHS is attempting to win its second district game and to extend its state-high winning streak to 19 games.

Coming off of an emotional high, as Destrehan is after its rivalry win last week, it will be important for the team to not suffer a let down in its level of play.

“We did get better, but there’s still work to do,” Scott said. “We still have a ways to go. So long as we stay focused on the process of improvement and not stay satisfied, that’s what we want to accomplish from a mental standpoint.”