It’s a feat rarely accomplished today no matter the sport, but the Destrehan Wildcats have beaten the odds and have a unique chance to repeat as Class 5A state champions on Saturday.
“A lot of people were doubting us, even people in our own school,” Destrehan senior defensive end Brennon Nora said. “We just wanted to make it back and prove that we could do it.”
The Wildcats earned the right to compete for the 2008 championship last week after holding on for a 21-14 win over Baton Rouge Central, who had previously knocked off No. 4 seed Brother Martin and No. 6 seed Acadiana. But No. 2 seed Destrehan proved to be too much for Central to handle, and now the stage is set for an epic battle between the Wildcats and top-seeded West Monroe.
“We have been waiting to play a big, fast team like West Monroe,” senior offensive lineman Bobby Gorman said.
Senior cornerback Antonio Parker agrees.
“What a great chance,” he said. “What better team could we play? They are a powerhouse and we wouldn’t want to play anyone else.”
Though Destrehan was impressive in last year’s state championship game, and returns several starters from that squad, many see them as the underdog Saturday. And while the Wildcat players will be the first to tell you that this isn’t the same team as last year, they are quick to point out that they are more of a “team” than ever before.
“We are a lot closer this year than we were last year,” Nora said. “We all hang out together and we’re all friends.”
Senior offensive lineman Kyle Wagner echoed those sentiments.
“Nobody is selfish on this team,” he said. “Nobody acts like they are better than anyone else. We’re just a team.”
And its been that team effort that has allowed the Wildcats to fight back from some early deficits during the postseason and keep their 28-game winning streak alive – though the players say they don’t spend anytime worrying about that streak.
“It doesn’t even matter about the win streak,” junior offensive lineman Ashton Duhe said. “We don’t even pay attention to it.”
Fellow offensive lineman, senior Blaine Wagner, said the only thing the team has been focused on is making sure their season lasts until the state championship.
“All we worry about is playing our hardest each game,” he said. “We just wanted to make sure we played 15 of them.”
Nora said he can’t wait to get out there and see all the fans in the stands on Saturday, while Gorman and quarterback Wynrick Smothers are looking forward to leading their team to another state championship.
Parker said there is only one way he wants his season to end, and that is with him getting a hand on the championship trophy.
“We didn’t come this far to lose,” he said.
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