Fighting Wildcat Stadium will have that big game feel to it Friday night as St. Augustine visits Destrehan for a matchup of state powers.
The Purple Knights enter as the No. 4 ranked team in Class 5A in this week’s LSWA poll. It won its opener 46-0 win over McDonogh No. 35 last week, while Destrehan defeated St. Paul’s 35-14. Both earned decisive wins, but only one can leave Friday’s game 2-0.
St. Augustine went 12-2 last season and finished as Division I select state runner-up to Karr.
The Fighting Wildcats and Purple Knights have not met recently in regular season action, but have scrimmaged against one another the past two seasons.
That’s given Destrehan and head coach Marcus Scott a good look at each level of the Purple Knights’ roster, and vice versa. Scott said one of the most impressive things about the St. Augustine program is the quality depth the team has across the board.
“They’ve got two quarterbacks that can play. Three running backs that can play. Seven receivers who can really go. Two tight ends – and that’s just the offense,” Scott said.
Robert Valdez guides the St. Augustine (1-0) program, having just begun his third season with the team. The former West St. John and St. James head coach has had great success at multiple schools. His teams are typically very fast and hard-hitting. This Knights team is the same. St. Augustine brings a very talented group of skill position players to the field on offense, including one of the state’s deepest and most talented wide receiving corps in the state.
That group is led by Miguel Whitley, who scored 14 times a season ago. Ray’Quan Williams did not play in Week 1 due to injury, but Destrehan head coach Marcus Scott said the Wildcats expect there’s a strong chance he suits up this week, and Williams is a difference maker – one of many.
“All of those receivers can score from anywhere,” Scott said. “Two of them are Division I commits, but the guys around them are all excellent in their own right.”
Jaelle Noble starts at quarterback – this is his first year as a full-time starter, but he played extensively a year ago. He’s protected by a strong offensive line that will also pave the way for a committee of talented runners.
“(Noble) can move,” Scott said. “He moves to throw down the field, and he can also make plays on designed quarterback runs and RPO stuff too. He’a a complete player.”
Scott gave a nod to Valdez’s background as an offensive line coach and said it reflects in this group of blockers.
“If there’s one group that you know is going to be coached up and fundamentally sound, it’s going to be that offensive line,” Scott said. “And that’s the case. They work well together in their zones schemes and counter schemes.”
Defensively, Darren Coates Jr. is a gifted player on the edge. Linebacker John Carter is another standout.
“Their defensive front stands out,” said Scott. “Their defensive ends are very explosive and then the defensive tackles have very good first steps. They’ve explosive on the snap of the ball. They all play 100 miles per hour. Their linebackers are good and the secondary has experience.”
THE NEXT STEP – Destrehan linebacker Blain Picou opened the season with a strong 10 tackle performance against St. Paul’s. Scott said Picou garnered a lot of valuable experience last season and he’s continued to grow within the defense.
“Getting that game experience under his belt, I think has really helped him,” Scott said. “Everything’s slowing down and he’s able to play faster because of it.”
