It’s a rare day that a team slows the Destrehan ground game, but that’s what happened last Friday against Terrebonne – the Tigers allowed just 2.9 yards per carry.
But it’s a pick your poison proposition against Destrehan – and the skies opened up wide for Jackson Fields and his receivers.
Fields passed for 322 yards and three touchdowns. A whopping six different receivers tallied 30 yards or more, led by Jabari Mack’s three catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. Four different pass catchers hauled in three receptions.
And these kinds of nights have started to become more common. It’s added up to Fields – in just his sophomore season and his first year as a starter – leading the metro area in passing yardage.
“He does a good job of staying focused, even if something bad happens, he moves on to the next play,” said Destrehan head football coach Marcus Scott. “It’s a tribute to him but also the offensive staff and the guys he has around him … we have some guys who started last year, who started in the Superdome, and have that experience to help him.”
Fields and the Wildcats are back at Wildcat Stadium – and back on Friday night after last week’s Thursday night kickoff – to host Sulphur in a non-district game and for Wildcats’ Homecoming.
Sulphur enters at 2-5 under head coach Cody Gueringer, who took the helm of the program in January and is in his first season. The Tors went 2-1 over their first three games but have dropped four in a row.
That may be a bit misleading, however, considering the competition: Sulphur’s losses have come to Acadiana, Sam Houston, Carencro, Barbe and Southside, not easy fare for anyone.
Destrehan will have to deal with a talented tight end and an LSU commitment in John David LaFleur – if the name sounds familiar, it’s because his father, David LaFleur, starred for the LSU Tigers prior to being drafted in the first round by the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. As one might imagine, the Sulphur star brings size – the elder LaFleur was 6’7 and 272 pounds, while the younger is 6’6, 265.
“We played against him when he was a sophomore – he looks to have filled out a little bit,” said Scott. “He’s very talented.”
Addison Constance leads the team at quarterback, while Ian Malone is a playmaking wide receiver that Scott says his team will have to be aware of.
“Their record doesn’t reflect the kind of team that they are,” Scott said. “Those three are their top playmakers, but they have talented guys around them and their schedule has been tough. They play hard – we need to be ready to play well.”
If Destrehan does play well, that would put the Wildcats in line to move to 8-0 and extend its state-long win streak to 22 in a row. And that would lead to plenty of hype for next week’s game at home against an East St. John team that’s lost just three times in its last 20 games – two of those to DHS.
That, along with the homecoming week, could distract a team. But the hype, Scott said, is non-existent for his team right now – the focus is on Sulphur and Sulphur alone.
“The kids know not to mention it,” Scott said. “We respect every opponent, and all of our energy and effort is going into Sulphur.”
WEAPONS EVERYWHERE – Greg Wilfred’s leaping catch over a defender to score a touchdown in the second quarter of Friday’s 38-7 win over Terrebonne was one of the highlights of the night and one of the sophomore’s three catches for 40 yards.
He’s been making plays each week as part of one of the state’s most talented and productive group of receivers, top to bottom, and it’s clear that that receiver group is in good hands for the future as well.
“It’s definitely what you like to see from a sophomore,” Scott said. “He’s been really steady for us, and it’s exciting. Greg puts in a lot of hard work. He’s a great teammate and when his turn comes up, he makes plays for us.”
ABSOLUTE DOMINANCE – Kolaj Cobbins’ interception return for a touchdown showed off the work he’s put into becoming an all-around performer at linebacker. But it was merely the most memorable play of his in what was a monster night for the LSU commitment against Terrebonne.
Cobbins made 14 tackles – 11 of those solo and three of those for loss. He broke up a pass and had two quarterback hurries in addition to his interception return and touchdown. And he had two sacks – impacting every area of the game defensively.
“He put in a lot of work in the offseason. He puts in a lot of work week to week, practice to practice. He’s probably the guy who works the hardest at practice, and he plays the game on Friday at that same high intensity level.”
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