Destrehan travels to undefeated Thibodaux this week for a special Thursday night District 7-5A showdown.
The game was moved from Friday night up one day due to Tropical Depression Nine.
The Tigers broke out last season under head coach Lowell Narcisse, the former St. James passer who will enter his second season as Thibodaux’s head coach this year. Destrehan won 49-26 at home in last season’s matchup between the teams, clinching the outright district championship for Destrehan. Thibodaux went 8-3 last season and returned to the playoffs, losing in Round 1 to Mandeville.
Both teams are unbeaten thus far in district play. Destrehan (4-1, 2-0) has just one loss overall this season, to St. Augustine in Week 2, and has won its past three games.
Thibodaux (5-0, 2-0) beat Central Lafourche 56-19 last week and Terrebonne 35-28 two weeks ago.
“We’ve certainly seen steady improvement from their program,” said Destrehan head football coach Marcus Scott. “I know Coach Narcisse has been working hard, his staff’s been working hard and they have good players – and so they’re undefeated for a reason.”
The Tigers are very experienced on offense, with most of its lineup from last season returning intact. That includes starting quarterback Damien Robertson, who is learning from a head coach in Narcisse who quarterbacked at LSU and UTSA at the college level. The dual sport athlete is also a talented baseball player. In a Week 2 win over South Lafourche, he threw five touchdown passes.
“That he’s a baseball kid as well, that speaks to his athleticism,” Scott said.
Cemiyan Adams and Braydon Percle lead the running attack while Jacob Terrell is the team’s top receiving target and is a Nicholls State commitment.
“Terrell is a dynamic playmaker,” said Scott. “But they also have (Anzeo Holmes) and (Carlton Ingram). Those are kids with some length who can get the ball. Their backs are outstanding and they can run between the tackles and have the speed to get around the edges.”
Those backs run behind an offensive line that brings back four starters.
Defensively, Robert Tolbert is a standout cornerback that has drawn the attention of Destrehan’s staff.
“They have one of the better corners around in him,” said Scott. “The defensive line and the linebackers are very active. They’ve got some pieces that can give peope problems.”
Destrehan is coming off a dominant performance against East St. John, 36-0 in the Wildcats’ first shutout of the season.
Malachi Dabney scored three touchdowns to lead the offense. Defensive end Avant Carter had a banner night as well with 3.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry to lead a ferocious pass rush.
Dabney carried 13 times for 113 yards. Aushai Smith also scored on the ground while completing 12 of 17 passes for 163 yards. Jaylan Ash caught five passes for 81 yards. Landyn Dugas had a 35-yard reception.
DHS outgained East St. John 308 to 67 in total yardage.
“We had a couple of lapses that led to them getting down into scoring position, and we were able to stand up there and get them off the field, which is huge,” said Scott. “(Carter) had a big night – he’s active and he plays fast and aggressive.”
