A vastly improved Terrebonne team visits Wildcat Stadium this Thursday night to face off with an undefeated Destrehan squad hungry for its 21st consecutive win.
The Tigers (5-1, 2-0) have made a leap forward under second year head coach – and former West St. John star – Tyler Lewis, already eclipsing its 2022 win total of three with five victories so far this season. Terrebonne has done it with strong play on both sides of the football, allowing 20 points in a game just once this season and scoring 40 points or more in all five of its wins. The explosive Tigers have also topped the 50 and 60-point marks, after reaching the 40-point mark just once last year.
Destrehan head coach Marcus Scott said Lewis is laying a strong foundation.
“They do all of the things that are necessary to be successful,” Scott said. “I know what kind of work Coach Lewis has put into the program to try and get it to where they want it to be, and they do a very good job over there.”
The team’s top weapon is wide receiver Kylan Billiot, an LSU commitment who boasts 4.5 speed in the 40 while standing at 6’4 – a matchup nightmare in a one-on-one situation. He’s also an experienced 3-year starter.
“He’s a difference maker,” Scott said.
Quarterback Owen Oliver guides the offense and gets the ball to his playmakers – there are plenty besides Billiot, as this team can run. Running back Jayce Johnson is a playmaker as well – he opened District 7-5A play against H.L. Bourgeois this season with a 140-yard, three touchdown performance.
“(Johnson) is a good player. (Miller) gets the ball to those guys – he’s getting it out to them quicker (this season) and it’s allowing them to make plays in the open field,” Scott said. “Their offensive line is physical and they come off the ball.”
Defensively, Talan Bingham is a senior defensive tackle who anchors the front and he leads the way.
“Their front stands out,” Scott said. “They’re aggressive at the point of attack.”
MILESTONE VICTORY – While plenty of Wildcats posted strong statistical nights Friday at Central Lafourche, two numbers stood alone on this night: 20 and 100.
Destrehan (6-0, 3-0) earned its 20th consecutive victory, its winning streak still tops in the state as it dominated on the road to earn a 51-0 victory. In the process, Scott reached a major career milestone as his team secured the 100th victory in his prep head coaching career.
“It feels good,” Scott said. “I’m happy because on my current staff, I have several coaches who started with me (at West Jefferson), and the fact we were able to get that first one together and now you fast forward so many years and here we are.”
Scott credited all of his coaching staff members, those head coaches who he served as an assistant under, and the players at West Jefferson, John Ehret and now at Destrehan over the years for making it possible.
“It’s a product of their hard work,” Scott said. “I’m out in front, but I represent so many people and our program represents so many people – it’s truly a team effort.”
FROM ALL OVER – The Wildcats attack from everywhere, and you never know who is going to erupt on a given night.
At Central Lafourche this week it was Jabari Mack, who scored three times on the night – he hauled in three receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns and carried the ball once for a 46-yard touchdown.
“He’s a young player and we tell him up front, sometimes it’s going to be your night, sometimes it’ll be someone else – it depends on what we see from the defense,” said Scott. “That means you have to always be ready to make plays because you don’t know when your opportunity is going to present itself. Jabari’s made his chances count. He knows what to do with the ball after the catch and we can hand it to him too – having the skill guys we have, it gives us options.”
Two weeks ago against H.L. Bourgeois, it was Makylon Smothers among those who stepped up. Smothers caught two passes for 96 yards and a touchdown – that score going for 80 yards. It was a joy to see, said Scott, as Smothers is returning this season from a knee injury that cost him his junior year.
“That kid has worked so hard to get back to this point,” said Scott. “There have been a lot of tough days with his surgery and all. He’s been a steady force. We look to him for leadership and guidance for our young guys and it’s always good to see him have a good night.”
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