In some ways, a mirror image awaits No. 5 Destrehan this week as it prepares to host No. 12 Dutchtown at 7 p.m. Friday, in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs.
Both teams feature a strong defense that’s posted long stretches of dominating play. Both also feature several offensive weapons who can take over a game, including a pair of featured running backs on scalding personal runs: Destrehan’s powerful Razan Keller and Dutchtown’s speedy Dylan Sampson.
Dutchtown (6-1) shut out Terrebonne 29-0 in round one to reach this point. The Griffins have won four games in a row and are strong in all areas.
“They’re the real deal,” Destrehan head coach Marcus Scott said, a few days after notching his first playoff victory heading the DHS program. “They’re a complete football team that does everything well in all three phases. We have our work cut out for us.”
An explosive running game is the motor that drives the offense. While Destrehan (8-1) must account for several Griffin playmakers, chief among them is Sampson, a junior running back who Scott calls one of the state’s most dangerous weapons. His acceleration sets him apart from his peers, Scott said.
“He’s certainly one of the best in the state,” Scott said. “He can get to full speed after about two steps. And he can run inside, outside, he doesn’t go down on arm tackles. He’s a complete player and he’s a junior, so he’ll only get better.”
Sampson certainly was special in round one. He rushed for 251 yards and all four of his team’s touchdowns, carrying 18 times in the win. 233 of those yards came in the first half, though his day being finished early could be a subplot entering this week’s battle – the back left the game after his final carry following an apparent ankle injury.
Scott said he believes this game will come down to who can best take care of the ball, and this week isn’t special in that regard – it’s the number one priority each game. But Destrehan is often better positioned to win that battle behind its physical rushing attack and a stellar defense that affords the offense the chance to play a ball-control, low risk style. Last week, Destrehan rushed for 227 yards on the day, led by Razan Keller and his three touchdown effort.
Dutchtown brings its own lethal rushing attack, though, and Sampson gives the Griffins the ability to score from anywhere on the field without risking a turnover through the air. His massive game last week featured touchdown runs of 86 and 75 yards.
“They get a lot of big plays in the running game. A lot of teams have to throw it to make big plays. They don’t have to, because they can get plenty on the ground.”
Baylor Langlois is another talented rusher for Dutchtown. Quarterback Pierson Parent is the conductor, with wide receiver Derrick Youngblood – a 6’4 senior – and tight end Caleb Ickes his favorite targets. The offensive line, as one might imagine given the Griffins’ offensive profile, is big and talented.
Defensively, Scott sees an active front seven and a secondary that doesn’t allow many big plays. Last week, it forced four turnovers against Terrebonne, Jared Dupar responsible for three of them. The Griffins held Terrebonne star rusher/receiver Jaylin Lucas to 72 yards on the ground.
“They’re always in the right position to make plays,” Scott said.
Another trait these teams share: their wins aren’t close ones, typically. Dutchtown has outscored its competition 279-95 this season, and have allowed just 14 points in total over their past four games – the closest among them last week’s opening round win by a 29-point margin. Destrehan, likewise, has a lopsided margin in its favor, 320 to 94, and have recorded each of their eight consecutive wins by at least 13 points – including a 63-7 win over Terrebonne, a common opponent.
Destrehan has been a second half team all season, and its opening round win over No. 29 Ouachita Parish was no different. On a rainy night, DHS held a 14-7 lead at halftime, but made a hard turn to featuring the run throughout the second half en route to a dominating effort and 35-14 final.
Scott warned that while the second half surge was something to be proud of, he says the Wildcats need to show a more sustained high level of play for four quarters. Rallies at Hahnville and East St. John this season showed what Destrehan can do at its peak, in the second half of each game, but a slow start could bite them sometime in the next month, the worst possible time.
“We obviously want to improve that,” Scott said. “We have to put two strong halves together.”
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