Wildcats picking up steam in quest to remain undefeated

After their most dominant win of the year, the Destrehan Wildcats are picking up steam as they head into the final two games of the regular season.

The second-ranked Wildcats destroyed South Lafourche last Friday, racking up 41 points in the first half on their way to the 55-0 win. Destrehan, who has rolled up yards on the ground against every team they have faced this season, torched South Lafourche through the air.  Quarterbacks Marquise Darensbourg and Kohen Granier combined for four touchdown passes in the win. Darensbourg also scored two touchdowns on the ground with runs of 40 and 23 yards.

Defensively, the Wildcats were just as impressive, with the starters limiting South Lafourche to one first down and 65 yards of offense.

“I thought it was a great all around performance,” Destrehan head coach Stephen Robicheaux said. “We played well offensively and defensively. Whenever you hold a team to one first down and 60 yards of total offense while scoring on every possession [in the first half] on offense, you have to be happy.

“I didn’t expect that against South Lafourche.”

In fact, Robicheaux said it was his team’s most complete game of the season.

“Whenever you get production at the quarterback position and the defensive effort – I don’t care what level of football your at, but to hold a team to one first down is a great performance,” he said.

Robicheaux said that South Lafourche tried to take away his team’s ability to run the ball, which led to success in the passing game.

“That really opened up the passing game,” he said. “We missed a couple of open guys, but our quarterbacks played very well.”

While Darensbourg had one of his best games of the season, Wildcat sophomore Granier received most of the  snaps in the second quarter and tossed two touchdowns.

“Kohen Granier is a good football player and we are committed to getting both guys some reps,” Robicheaux said.Destrehan’s success on both offense and defense should continue this week when they travel to face H.L. Bourgeois, who has only won one game this season. The Braves are 0-5 in district play with blowout losses to Thibodaux, East St. John, South Lafourche and Hahnville.

H.L. Bourgeois is averaging a little more than 17 points per game, but is giving up more than 41 points a game.

Last week, Hahnville defeated the Braves 58-8.  H.L. Bourgeois’ only score came  when quarterback Todd Atkins tossed a 36-yard touchdown pass with just 36 seconds left in the game.

Despite their lack of success, Robicheaux said that Atkins does a good job of running the H.L. Bourgeois offense.

“He had some big runs when they played South Lafourche and he does a good job,” Robicheaux said. “Their offense is able to move the ball, but they don’t score a whole lot. Hopefully that continues on Friday.”

When the Braves need a big play, Robicheaux said they look for receiver Desean Walker, who also excels on the basketball court. Walker was on the receiving end of Atkin’s 36-yard touchdown pass against Hahnville.

Defensively, H.L. Bourgeois runs a 4-3.

“They have some quick defensive linemen that could give us trouble and their linebackers do a good job of filling up holes,” Robicheaux said.

To make sure the Wildcats don’t overlook the Braves, Robicheaux said he has preached one fact to his team this week.

“We need to get better no matter who we are playing,” he said. “We don’t want to take a step backwards.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at H.L. Bourgeois.