Destrehan’s talent was on display early and often as they dominated West Jefferson in every facet of the game on their way to a 40-point win to open the season.
Now Wildcat head coach Stephen Robicheaux hopes his team continues that high-level of play against Helen Cox on Friday.
Destrehan stormed out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter of their 47-7 victory against West Jefferson and never looked back. Wildcat running back Will Matthews was sensational, rushing for 154 yards and three touchdowns in the first half.
With the Wildcats up 24-0 at the break, Destrehan got started quickly in the third quarter. Wildcat defensive tackle Gerald Wilbon busted through the West Jeff offensive line and laid a hit on Buccaneer quarterback Coley Ransaw. Ransaw dropped the football, which was scooped up by Destrehan linebacker Peyton Steib.
Three plays later, sophomore quarterback Marquise Darensbourg tossed a 17-yard touchdown to put Destrehan up 31-0.
West Jeff finally got on the scoreboard a series later when Ransaw threw an 81-yard touchdown, but on West Jeff’s following offensive series Ransaw was called for intentional grounding in the end zone, which resulted in a safety.
On the ensuing kickoff, Destrehan’s John Williams made West Jeff pay. He fielded the ball at his own 24 and sped 75 yards to the West Jeff 1-yard line. Destrehan lost five yards on the next play, but Darensbourg regrouped to throw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Kirk Merritt that gave the Wildcats a 40-7 lead.
Sophomore Destrehan running back Kristian Mosley ended the scoring with a 22-yard touchdown run.
“I thought we played well. Whenever you score 47 points and get to see the backups play, you are doing something right,” Robicheaux said. “We ran the ball well and we are really excited about that. Will Matthews had a lot of success and that tells you that the offensive line is doing a good job blocking and the receivers are doing a good job blocking.”
Darensbourg threw for only 58 yards in his first career start, but tossed two touchdowns. Robicheaux said his quarterback did exactly what he needed to do in order for Destrehan to pick up the win.
“I thought he did real well. People don’t realize that he had no reps last year with the varsity,” Robicheaux said. “I thought he did quite well considering what he was up against. We are asking him to get better every game and we think he will do that.”
Robicheaux said his team’s success on the ground was huge considering the fact that the Wildcats were breaking in a new quarterback.
“It takes a lot of pressure off of the quarterback in terms of having to make plays,” he said. “If you can run the ball and control the line, that’s a big advantage for you.”
The defense was also impressive during the win, giving up just one big play when West Jefferson scored on an 81-yard pass.
“Other than that one big play, we did well,” Robicheaux said. “We forced a lot more negative plays than they had positive ones. The kids got after it and there was a lot of excitement.”
Destrehan’s defense will be challenged Friday by Helen Cox and star quarterback Dion Ray. Cox was 4-6 last season, but returns 19 starters, including 10 on offense.
Ray, a University of Louisiana at Lafayette commitment, leads the charge. He was an all-district selection in 8-5A last year after passing for more than 1,500 yards and rushing for 727 yards.
“Dion Ray is a big D1 quarterback. As he goes, they go,” Robicheaux said. “We have to contain him and make him one dimensional. We can’t let him run.”
All of Ray’s top targets from last season return, including receivers Malik Taylor, Jason Charles, Jamal Cooper and E’mon Davis. Sophomore running back Rejean Wright is also back after a successful freshman season.
“They are very similar to West Jeff. They got guys that can hurt you and guys that can run,” Robicheaux said.
On defense, Cox is led by defensive end Jahmal Tillman, who has committed to UL-Monroe. Last year, Tillman recorded 14 sacks and forced four fumbles.
“They are big on defense…they will be one of the bigger teams we face,” Robicheaux said. “We have to move those guys. They are good and have physical linebackers who do a good job of running to the football.”
Destrehan will host Helen Cox at 7 p.m. on Friday.
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