It’s not exactly the calm before the storm.
While next week, St. Charles Parish sees its annual prep football Armageddon take place as Hahnville and Destrehan square off one more time, neither team is wading into the water with a soft matchup this week. Instead, both schools are all over this Friday night’s marquee and playing in high profile matchups as Destrehan hosts John Ehret and Hahnville travels to face Riverside.
While Ehret finished last season in the Superdome as the Class 5A runner-up — the Patriots fell to Zachary on the season’s final day — Destrehan might have the bigger target on its back. DHS defeated Ehret last season by a convincing 38-18 score and no team has walked off the field with a regular season win over the Wildcats in any of the past 31 games.
Ehret (2-0) has been one of the New Orleans area’s most talent-laden teams over the past few seasons and 2016 appears to be no exception. Ehret defeated a pair of River Parishes foes to begin the year, besting Riverside 16-13 and East St. John 41-21. Destrehan looks to halt that string at two, though Wildcats coach Stephen Robicheaux says it won’t be an easy task.
“They’re the best looking team we’ll probably face all year,” Robicheaux said. “All-around, they bring plenty to the table. They’re very athletic. They run well and they’re physical. That’s a carbon copy of their Superdome team of last year.”
Destrehan exploded early in the second half of last season’s win, extending a 10-0 halftime lead after Chad Serrano’s fumble return for a score. The Wildcats quickly piled it on from there, adding a pair of touchdowns to go ahead 31-0 in the game. Ehret lost just one more game on the way to the Superdome and nine of its next 10 wins came via blowout.
This season, junior wide receiver Jamaal Houston is the top man to stop on the Ehret side. The 6-foot-2 Patriots downfield threat is a high-Division I prospect.
“They put him all over the field, including at quarterback, to take advantage of his athleticism,” Robicheaux said. “He sticks out on film, making plays all the time. Their quarterback (Travis Mumphrey) does a tremendous job getting him the ball and spreading it out to all their guys.”
Mumphrey is a dual threat. Last week he rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries and passed for 190 yards and two touchdowns against East St. John. Ehret dominated that game, leading 34-0 at one point.
Defensively, the Ehret front is a troublemaker for any opposing offense.
“They run a four or five man front and they create a lot of havoc,” Robicheaux said. “Their linebackers are stout and their secondary is very aggressive. We’ll have to be disciplined in all that we do.”
Terrell Bailey intercepted two passes as his defense’s lead playmaker last week.
The Wildcats created a slew of explosive plays in last week’s 34-7 road victory over Woodlaw-Baton Rouge. Destrehan scored four touchdowns of 60 yards or more Friday night.
Justin Jefferson started the game by returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown. Kohen Granier and Jefferson combined for a 60-yard touchdown pass and then it was Granier and C.B. Anderson creating a 77-yard passing score to make it 20-7.
Anderson, a sophomore, is one player Robicheaux believes can continue to carve out a significant role.
“He catches the ball real well and has been doing a solid job for us,” Robicheaux said. “We’ve still got Mike (Young) healing up, and (Anderson) is one of the guys who have been stepping up in his absence. We’re excited about his play for sure.”
Kristian Mosley and John Emery each added touchdown runs to cap the Destrehan effort.
The game was the second matchup between Robicheaux and his former assistant coach Daniel Luquet, who took over as Woodlawn’s head coach in 2015.
“He has four other Destrehan guys on his staff along with him, so it’s kind of like a family reunion when we play,” Robicheaux said. “I think they’re going to be a real good football team down the line. Daniel’s doing a tremendous job. It’s really good to have the chance to see all of those guys again.”
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