Destrehan jumps ahead early, seals jamboree win over Lutcher

Christian Nunnery returns a kick for the Wildcats.

At the tail end of a week where several Destrehan players made commitments at the collegiate level – with many more expected to come over the course of the coming school year – the Wildcats gave fans a glimpse of what all of that talent is capable of together in Friday night’s jamboree battle with host Lutcher.  

Trey Nixon’s 57-yard touchdown reception early in the second half put Destrehan up 17 and all but put the Bulldogs away in a 20-10 victory and the first jamboree Destrehan’s played since 2019.  

The last two jamborees were cancelled due to weather in 2021 and COVID-19 in 2020, making this also the first jamboree Destrehan head coach Marcus Scott has been able to guide his team through. Scott said it was a welcome night and a good test for his team.  

“Lutcher’s a really good program and this is a good way to test ourselves each year,” Scott said. “Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to play this game last two years. It’s really good to get out here, see the fans and have a traditional jamboree.” 

Lutcher trailed 20-3 before fighting back late with a touchdown and then a drive into the Destrehan redzone. But the latter came up empty as time was against the Bulldogs from the moment Nixon crossed the goal line for Destrehan’s third touchdown of the night.  

Destrehan took the second half kickoff and faced a third down, one the Wildcats picked up on an option flip from Jai Eugene to Shane Lee – Lee weaved his way upfield to convert the first.  

On the very next play, Eugene dropped the ball off to Nixon on a screen. The latter found a crease and shot through the Bulldogs’ defense for what was ultimately a backbreaking touchdown.  

“At first, I was pretty blocked off, but I made a good cut and got a good block from my lineman, and took off,” Nixon said.  

The two-play sequence was an example of the kind of problem Destrehan’s backfield creates for opposing defenses – between Lee, Nixon, Brandon Freeman and Christian Nunnery, all bring different styles and can make any defender pay for a false step.  

“It’s really a blessing, to be honest,” Nixon said. “Everyone needs a break eventually. When they come out and I come in, I’m ready, and when it’s my turn to take a rest, I know we can count on the next guy coming in to get it done.” 

Scott said ending the first half and starting the second half strong is always a point of emphasis for Destrehan, and the opening drive of the latter is what the Wildcats are looking for.  

Lee scored the first touchdown of the night from 4 yards out to give Destrehan an early lead, following a Eugene scramble inside the 10 of Lutcher.  

DHS pushed the lead to 14-0 when Eugene sprinted right and found Daniel Blood on an out route resulting in a 28-yard touchdown.  

D’Wanye Winfield’s 20-yard scramble set up a field goal for Lutcher that made it 14-3 at the half.  

After Nixon’s touchdown, Lutcher embarked on a long drive capped by Winfield’s 4-yard jump pass to tight end Gavin Gill, cutting the lead to 20-10. 

But while Lutcher forced a punt on Destrehan’s next possession, there was not enough time left to threaten a tie.  

It was the continuance of some great news for Destrehan, a team that stands among the favorites in Class 5A when it comes to title hopes. Last week,  quarterback/defensive back Jai Eugene officially committed to Tulane, and this week it was announced he won’t be going alone: DHS defensive back Kevin Adams and Destrehan offensive lineman Landry Cannon each committed to the Green Wave as well. The latter two announced the news on Twitter on Wednesday.  

And elsewhere in New Orleans – the Superdome to be exact – former Destrehan star Kirk Merritt scored a touchdown in the Saints’ 27-10 preseason win over the Los Angeles Chargers, making perhaps the statement he needed to seal a spot on the Saints’ roster. He caught four passes for 32 yards on the night.  

 

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