After a wild ride of a game — and a victory — against Hahnville in last week’s unofficial “St. Charles Parish Championship, Destrehan coach Stephen Robicheaux said that contest has all but been put behind them already. “As far as Hahnville, it’s the 24 hour rule,” Robicheaux said. “You enjoy it and then move on to the next game. We made a lot of mistakes that we’ve got to clean up.”
Of course, that doesn’t mean the schedule has made things easy this week for Robicheaux and his staff. A week after the most hyped game of the year, the Wildcats prepare to host Terrebonne for homecoming week.
“We won a big game, and now we move right into homecoming. No distractions at all,” Robicheaux said with a laugh. “You think you have a breather, but not so much.”
Terrebonne (3-1, 0-1) took its first loss of the season last week, falling 34-23 at home to Thibodaux in. The Tigers won their first three games of the season and flashed an explosive offense in doing so, scoring 48, 38 and 21 in wins over Ellender, South Terrebonne and Assumption.
“They’ve got tremendous speed on offense and defensively they’re real big up front,” Robicheaux said. They’re going to come in here ready to play.”
Quarterback Mason Turner leads Terrebonne. Last week, he completed 6-of-13 passes for 98 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
He rushed 14 times for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Seigan Evans paced the team’s stable of running backs, carrying 11 times for 78 yards and scoring a touchdown.
Terrebonne’s top rusher this season, Keyshawn James, left the Thibodaux game with a back injury.
Defensively, Robicheaux noted Terrebonne linebacker Cullen Butler, defensive back Jai Granger and 300 lb. nose tackle Kyle Landry as impactful players the Wildcats must account for.
While Destrehan (4-0, 1-0) defeated Hahnville last week for the fifth straight occasion and stamped its first district 7-5A victory, the win did not come without a cost. Senior quarterback Kohen Granier left the game with an apparent leg injury just before halftime and was on the sideline with crutches during the second half.
Robicheaux said Granier had an MRI earlier this week and the team is awaiting the results. That said, the Wildcats are preparing sophomore J.R. Blood to start Friday night’s game, and perhaps beyond.
“It’s a really tough break for Kohen,” Robicheaux said. “He’s just such a tremendous competitor and he’s put so much into this. We’re all really, really hurting for him. Seeing what he was doing in his senior year was exciting for all of us. But we can’t dwell on it.”
Blood put together a strong second half against Hahnville, converting a series of key third down throws and leading his team on a final minute game-winning drive.
“It was a phenomenal job by a sophomore, pressed into action in that spot and coming through,” Robicheaux said. “I think a lot of credit goes to Coach (Greg) Borne (DHS offensive coordinator) for having him ready to step in when called on. He had him prepared as if he expected to play and it shows. (Blood) is smart, athletic and we know he’s going to be a tremendous quarterback for us. He did a truly amazing job when you consider the situation.”
Blood wasn’t the only sophomore to make an impact in the game.
Safety Champ Craven intercepted a pass in the first half. Receiver Quinton Torbor made several key grabs down the stretch and running back John Emery scored on a long touchdown run. It all underscored a developing storyline this season for the team — these Wildcats aren’t just good, but young, with a core of underclassmen that could be truly special.
While Granier left Friday’s game, the night marked the return of receiver Mike Young to full-time action after playing on a limited basis the week before. The senior Notre Dame commitment missed the first two weeks of the season with injury but made one of the night’s biggest splash plays Friday, hauling in a long third down reception from Blood, deep in Hahnville territory.
“(Young) wasn’t full go against Ehret. He was kind of finding his way. When he made that unbelievable catch (against Hahnville), right in front of our bench, you see exactly why he’s headed to Notre Dame,” Robicheaux said. “He’s special.
“What Mike can do in the slot and in the middle of the field, and then you’ve got Justin on the outside, so tough for any one person to defend … they complement one another and it only makes us better.”
The victory over Hahnville came down to the final seconds and the foot of first-year kicker Bradley Quinn, whose 27-yard field goal netted Destrehan the winning points in a 31-28 final.
Destrehan led 14-0 at halftime, but Hahnville scored 28 second half points to turn this one into a classic.
The Tigers blocked a field goal midway through the fourth quarter with the game tied at 28, but Destrehan’s defense held firm. After the HHS punt, Blood connected with Torbor and Kendrick Lea to help move his team into Hahnville territory. A 15-yard run by Mosley followed by a 7-yarder by Emery set Destrehan up at the Hahnville 10 with 10 seconds left. Quinn took care of the rest.
Destrehan’s Justin Jefferson was named the Great Rivalry Series game MVP after hauling in 158 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions.
Chancey Cothren and Jefferson each scored first-half touchdowns to give Destrehan a 14-0 lead.
Destrehan took second half leads on a Blood to Kristian Mosley 46-yard touchdown pass and a John Emery 51-yard scoring run. Devonte Clark and Cade Miguez each scored rushing touchdowns for Hahnville, while Austin Perrin scored twice.
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