Making the playoffs is always a nice goal to attain, but because of two recent state championships, more is expected at Destrehan. So even though the Wildcats were a playoff team in 2009, they will be looking to put last season’s 5-6 record behind them when they host H.L. Bourgeois at 6 p.m. on Friday for their spring game.
“Spring is a wonderful time,” Destrehan head coach Stephen Robicheaux said with a smile. “You work on the fundamentals and it really gets you back to the teaching aspect of things. We are evaluating our guys right now and just going over the little things.”
In 2007, Destrehan had a high-powered offense led by a group of excellent playmakers that included Damaris Johnson, Tim Molton and Jordan Jefferson. In 2008, the Wildcats did it with defense, relying on Darrington Sentimore, Rufus Porter and Antonio Parker to shut down the opposition.
Last season, Destrehan didn’t establish much of an identity on either side of the ball, and Robicheaux will be the first to admit that his squad enters the spring game with a lot of questions. Still, he is optimistic about the potential.
“Everything’s been going good and we have more intensity on the offensive side of the ball right now,” he said. “Our quarterback Taylor Dunn is back, and Kevin Smith has looked good running the football. Our wide receivers, De’Ante’ Armstrong and Rickey Jefferson, have also been playing well.”
While several skill players return, the Wildcats did lose four offensive lineman to graduation, including Ashton Duhe, who was a fixture for three years. But Robicheaux said that his new offensive line looks to be a little more athletic.
Defensively, the Wildcats also return several key players. Robicheaux said he is especially excited about his defensive line. Last year, Marrick Charles (6’2, 260) and Bryan Singleton (6’4, 244) started as sophomores. Robicheaux said both are not only big and strong, but are also great athletes.
Another key returnee is Tarquin Kenner, who will be a senior next season. Kenner has started as linebacker since his sophomore season.
“I’m excited to see how all these guys do when they take the field Friday and get to hit somebody else besides their own teammates,” Robicheaux said. “It’s going to be interesting to see who steps up.”
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