Last week’s 41-21 win over Higgins was a milestone of sorts for the Destrehan Wildcats, giving the program their first district win since 2010. But Destrehan’s goal this season isn’t to win a couple of district games. Instead, the team is gunning for the league championship.
“Winning district isn’t as important as it used to be with the power rankings that are used now, but it gives the team something to shoot for,” Destrehan head coach Stephen Robicheaux said. “Winning the district championship is one of our goals.”
The Wildcats are a much more explosive team now than they were a year ago. Much of that success has to do with Robicheaux, who returned to the team after a two-year hiatus.
Still, while the team shows flashes of brilliance on both offense and defense, they are plagued by turnovers and mistakes.
Against the Hurricanes, the Wildcats drove the ball down Higgins’ throat throughout the first half, but two fumbled snaps kept Higgins in the game. Destrehan, who dominated in terms of yardage, only led 21-13 heading into halftime.
The second half was a different story.
The Wildcats quickly extended their lead on a 25-yard touchdown run by Donovan Isom and then drove 56 yards on their next possession for another score. The Wildcats final touchdown came on a 9-yard run by Talvin Michael.
“It was a tale of two halves. In the first half we moved the ball, but made mistakes and had two key fumbles that kept them in the game,” Robicheaux said. “You can’t do that. You have to play all four quarters.”
While the Wildcats have had some key mistakes, they have already won more games (3) this year than they did last year (2). Their only two losses this season have come at the hands of ranked teams Karr and Dutchtown. In district play, the Wildcats will likely be favored against every team they play, including Friday’s opponent John Ehret.
John Ehret is 0-5 on the season and was shut out in a 28-0 loss to East St. John. But Robicheaux said that Ehret is a much better team than their record indicates.
“They are 0-5 but if you watch them play you wouldn’t think that,” he said. “They moved the ball up and down the field against East St. John last week, but would struggle when they got near the end zone. They are a very athletic team and last year they were 0-5 and they beat us.
“They are a team that scares you.”
John Ehret did outrush East St. John 170-124 last week, but had four key turnovers that led to the loss. On offense, the Patriots are led by Darrel Williams, who plays several different positions.
“He is the real deal. As he goes, they go,” Robicheaux said. “They put him at quarterback, running back and receiver and he is a special player.”
Defensively, John Ehret has struggled this season but it’s not due to lack of size.
“They are big up front and have two guys over 300 pounds,” Robicheaux said. “If we can block those guys, we will be OK. They do have other players that worry you, including a good linebacker and defensive back.”
But so far this season Robicheaux has liked what he has seen from his own squad.
“I hope they are getting everything together at the right time,” he said. “This team was put into a bad situation with new coordinators on both sides of the ball, but they have responded well.
“They are doing the things we are asking them to do and I am excited about the way things are going.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium.
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