As Destrehan attempts to become the program’s first undefeated state champion since the team did it back-to-back in 2007 and 2008, three of the team’s assistant coaches can offer a unique perspective to the Wildcat players.
That’s because they lived it, on the field.
Jordan Jefferson, Jerico Nelson and Ashton Duhe were each starters on the undefeated champion of 2007, with Duhe earning a second ring with the 2008 squad. Jefferson quarterbacked the team while Nelson and Duhe manned tailback and center, respectively, for the Wildcats, who won 30 straight games from 2007 to 2009.
The 2007 DHS squad defeated Acadiana in the Superdome to secure the Class 5A championship, 41-21, capping off what was a dominating playoff run — Destrehan beat each of its five postseason foes by margins of 25, 28, 34, 52 and 20 points.
Jefferson reached even greater fame after moving on to LSU, where he started 32 games from 2008-12. He helped lead the Tigers to an appearance in the 2012 National Championship game.
“I wanted to give back to kids and students on (Destrehan’s) team,” Jefferson said regarding his desire to coach.
“I have a younger brother on the team, so the chance to help him appealed to me. It’s a chance to help (the players) move forward to college, teach them the importance of ACT scores and how to prepare.”
That younger brother is junior wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who is enjoying a strong season as a first-year starter.
“It’s good for him and for me,” Jefferson said. “I know he’s receiving proper information. He does a great job taking on coaching.”
Nelson was an explosive tailback and defensive back at Destrehan before moving on to play collegiate football at Arkansas, where he lined up as a defensive back. He finished college with 268 tackles, 10.5 sacks, four interceptions, 12 pass deflections and two forced fumbles.
He had just been released from the New Orleans Saints’ roster when Robicheaux gave him a call.
“He asked me if I wanted to coach,” Nelson said. “ I know the program, I know the Destrehan way and I know what Coach Rob wants. Coming back here, the transition to coaching wasn’t that bad. I’m enjoying it, coaching the secondary and some parts of the linebackers corps. We’re trying to instill in them the same things we had when we were here.”
Duhe played collegiate ball at Nicholls State, but didn’t stray far from the Destrehan program. His younger brother, Elijah, played for Destrehan through last season, and the elder brother said he got the bug to coach through his time around the team last season.
“I came back for a lot of practices, while I was still playing ball at Nicholls,” Duhe said. “A lot of them just got to asking questions about position. I mentioned something to Coach Rob about it, and a couple weeks before the season he gave me a call. I definitely wanted to do it. I knew I wanted to stay around the game.
“It means a lot for me to be back here at Destrehan. When they lost last year in the (Super)dome, think I was hurting worse than my little brother. The coaches are still here from when we won it. I love being here.”
Nelson said he feels this year’s team is fueled by the loss it suffered in last year’s championship game to — as fate would have it — Acadiana.
“Based off the adversity they faced last year, I think they’re hungry,” Nelson said. “They went to the Dome, went undefeated and came up short. To have another chance to do it again … the players are buying in, coming along.
“Hopefully they’re more motivated and intense. They’re been somewhere and want to be back.
It happened to us in my sophomore and junior year and it motivated us in our senior year. These guys have a chance to go undefeated and do something special.”
Duhe said he senses a certain camaraderie from the team.
“Coaching the offensive line, I see them sticking together,” Duhe said.
All three coaches noted that they’ve established a strong bond with the players.
“Just the questions from me playing ball already, how do this, that, how do we get in touch with these coaches … they’re comfortable with us,” Duhe said. “We’re only 23 years old and the youngest coaches on the staff.”
The 2007 team, Jefferson said, had great chemistry forged from years of playing together.
“The vast majority of us played together since little league,” Jefferson said. “Knowing players you’re playing with, focusing on, team chemistry, team camaraderie, those things helped us jell together. Play opponents, working with a guy last 8 to 9 years, you have an advantage.”
And so comes the natural question: who would win in an on field clash between the 2007 and 2015 Wildcat team?
Coming from a proud group of former players, the answers came with broad smiles and they were as you’d expect.
Nelson: “I’ll say it would be a great game. But by me playing in 07, I’d take 07 to win.”
Duhe: “I don’t think anyone can really match up to that 2007 team. There was a lot of talent right there.”
Jefferson: “I’ll say (2007), 21-10, just to be modest.”
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