Days after earning its biggest win of the season, Destrehan was back at practice and in quite the familiar position – preparing to play for a district championship.
Destrehan head coach Marcus Scott said his team certainly has reason to be proud after its 31-24 win over Hahnville at Wildcat Stadium Friday, and that it brings the expected energy lift, but the focus is already back on the next game.
“It’s upbeat, but it’s been business as usual at practice for us,” said Scott, who is attempting to guide Destrehan to its fifth district championship in his five seasons as head coach. “Just getting back to our normal weekly process of getting ready for the next one.”
The win over Hahnville went much further than rivalry bragging rights and district positioning for Destrehan. The Wildcats moved up considerably in power points – and the potential seeding that comes with it – after beating a Tigers team that went into Friday’s game ranked at No. 8. Destrehan is now ranked at 10 after being ranked below 20 going into last week’s game, and is one win away from cementing a first-round home game.
“Whenever you challenge yourself and play a tough schedule, a lot of times you’ll find that reward at the end of the season with the power rankings and seeding,” said Scott. “Hopefully the teams we’ve played can finish strong and help that rating a little more.”
Destrehan will attempt to get the win they need at Thibodaux in the final game of the season, and in the process wrap up a share of the District 8-5A championship. Destrehan is currently tied in the loss column with Hahnville and Terrebonne – all three have one loss. Hahnville has played all of its district games. There is the potential all three teams could share the crown if Destrehan and Terrebonne each win their games Friday.
The Destrehan/Thibodaux game will be played Thursday at 7 p.m. due to inclement weather potential Friday.
Brayden Becnel leads Thibodaux at quarterback. The Tigers will be more experienced this season after a 4-6 campaign in 2023, including an opening round playoff loss. Destrehan captured a 33-7 win over THS at home last year.
Thibodaux began the year in in its second season under head coach Drey Trosclair, but he was dismissed before Week 8 of the season following Thibodaux’s 21-14 loss to H.L. Bourgeois. THS was 3-3 at the time. It is now 4-4 overall (1-4 in District 8-5A).
“They play very hard and we’ll need to put our best foot forward … there are some talented players who we need to be wary of,” Scott said.
This year’s Thibodaux team is quite unique in its offensive attack. THS is in its first season of running the Wing-T option, but Thibodaux will also run its offensive attack from the spread, forcing opponents to prepare and ultimately match up with the two vastly different looks. Most teams don’t have the personnel to run both attacks at such volume but it’s worked for Thibodaux in its four victories this season.
“They run several offensive plays that are unconventional. They’ll get into some spread looks but also some Veer, some Wing-T principals as well,” Scott said. “As well as the play action passes and the screen game out of the spread formations. There’s a lot to prepare for.”
Running back Cohen Jarreau and wide receiver Jacob Terrell are both threats to score any time they touch the ball.
“Speed, and lots of it,” Scott said about them. “How fast they are sets them apart.”
Defensively, Thibodaux plays heavy man to man coverage, a relative rarity in prep football these days.
“They’ll blitz, send pressure and play man to man, which always presents a challenge,” Scott said.
DABNEY DELIVERS: Malachi Dabney may only be a sophomore, but he’s proven to be ready for the spotlight.
Dabney carried the ball 33 times for 248 yards and a touchdown, averaging 7.5 yards per carry on that high volume in Destrehan’s victory over Hahnville.
It was his second time over 200 yards in three weeks, and that his coaches trusted him with so many touches in such a big game in itself says much about how rapidly his game has grown throughout the season.
Scott praised his ascending rusher, but also noted the exceptional play of the offensive line, which has gotten better and better as the season has gone on.
“Malachi’s come a long way, and we’re playing with confidence up front,” said Scott. “In order to run the ball effectively with such a young player, you have to play well up front and we’ve been able to do that.”
A BIG NIGHT FROM BROWN: Blake Brown saved perhaps his best game of the season for Destrehan’s biggest matchup: 13 tackles, including one for loss, and three pass break ups in Friday night’s rivalry win.
“He got the most improved player in the program award after spring football,” said Scott. “And he really took a giant step again between the spring and the fall. He really has emerged as a playmaker. He’s a program kid who’s worked hard for everything he’s got. I’m very proud of him and his progress.”
