Two of Louisiana’s premier programs face off Friday night as Destrehan visits Zachary for a non-district game that should carry heavy playoff seeding implications.
Destrehan currently ranks No. 3 in power points at 14.38, just shy of No. 2 Barbe’s 14.46 total (No. 1 Mandeville has a 8.50 mark). If the Wildcats can earn wins over Zachary and H.L. Bourgeois to close the season, it would put the team in position to potentially secure a top 2 seed and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Additionally, Destrehan securing a spot among the top 4 teams would mean a bye week.
Zachary, meanwhile, ranks 10th, and a win over a highly ranked Wildcats team would give the Broncos a chance to move up its seeding.
It’s two teams that could match up again in a matter of weeks for a postseason game – and often have, in recent years.
That’s also a fact that wasn’t lost on either side when this game was scheduled.
“Neither one of us wanted to play this game,” Destrehan head football coach Marcus Scott said with a laugh. “We were both off Week 9 and it can be hard to find an opponent. So, even though we may have to see each other in the playoffs, we thought it was best that we play. The good thing is that I think we both get better from playing one another Friday night.”
Destrehan (7-1, 5-1) has won six straight games, fresh off of a 49-0 win at home over Terrebonne. The Wildcats have clinched at least a share of District 7-5A and would win the crown outright with an unbeaten record with a win next week at Bourgeois.
Zachary is 5-3 and a winner of five of its last six after an 0-2 start to the season. That includes its own dominant win last week, a 54-0 victory over Woodlawn-Baton Rouge.
Destrehan’s amassed one of the more impressive postseason records in the state over the past several years. Zachary, however, has been a thorn in the Wildcats’ side.
In 2023, Zachary earned a 35-14 state quarterfinal win at Destrehan. In 2021, Zachary won 34-13 at home over the Wildcats in a state semifinal.
And in 2018, and in one of the wildest football games one could ever see, Zachary won 67-57 at Destrehan in a rain-soaked semifinal matchup.
Zachary attacks with a physical, proficient rushing offense powered by seniors Tylek Lewis and Jeremey Patton. Earlier this month, Patton rushed for a career high 231 yards in a win over Central.
Lewis, meanwhile, is a Syracuse commitment and topped 1,000 yards and scored 21 times in his junior year of 2025.
“They have two good backs and a really good offensive line,” said Scott. “They are pretty balanced for the most part – the run game sets up play-action and the RPO. It makes it tough.”
Scott gave a nod to Zachary offensive line coach Jason Davis – Scott and Davis were college teammates at McNeese State.
“He’s an outstanding coach. He always has his line coached up and well-schooled on different fronts and blitzes they may see,” Scott said. “The backs are good as well, but it all starts up front.”
Jacori Platt is a first-year starting quarterback for the Broncos.
“He’s a big kid,” Scott said. “He reminds you of (Jaelle Noble) at St. Aug … same type of size and athleticism.”
Ethan Kimmie, Kylin Jones and Trikoby Rheams are his top receivers. Kimmie is a physical downfield presence at 6’3.
At 6’3, 325 pounds, Calvin Duncan is part of a defensive tackle group that makes running up the middle a difficult proposition.
“They’ve got some real big guys,” said Scott. “It’s difficult to move those guys or get any movement up front with them.”
Last week’s win over Terrebonne saw Destrehan score at a blistering pace in the first half. Malachi Dabney scored three times in the first quarter alone and four times total. Aushai Smith tallied three touchdown passes as well, finding Dabney, Landyn Dugas and Jaylin Ash for scores.
Smith has helped lead Destrehan to seven wins in his eight starts in his first season as the team’s starting quarterback. The junior has been exactly what the Wildcats hoped for when he took the reins of the offense.
Scott said Smith has only grown more comfortable and confident in his role as the season has gone on.
“Sometimes earlier in the year, I think he began pressing a little bit, kind of trying to be perfect,” said Scott. “We talked about it – it’s just having fun while playing football with your friends, and playing to your strengths – doing what you do and taking care of the football. That’s when good things happen, and that’s what you’re seeing with Aushai.”
