Acadiana rides stellar defense to Class 5A football championship win over Destrehan, 8-3

In the final game of the 2019 LHSAA Sugar Bowl Prep Classic, the Acadiana Wreckin’ Rams defeated the Destrehan Wildcats 8-3 in a defensive struggle to claim their 5th state title.

The Wreckin’ Rams scored their only touchdown in the first quarter as senior quarterback Keontae Williams connected with his tailback Dillan Monette for a 56-yard bomb.

Acadiana’s defense did the rest, holding the Wildcats to only 140 yards of total offense.

“I think we have the best coaching staff in the state,” Rams head coach Matt McCullough expressed. “Our assistants do a tremendous job. They spend a lot of time working away from their families. I’m not only proud of these kids and our coaches, but also our community. We had tremendous support from the Scott area and the Acadiana fans.”

Destrehan’s only field goal came right before halftime on a controversial call. The Wildcats missed their first kick attempt from 48 yards out, but through instant replay, the referees spotted 12 men on the field for Acadiana.

The penalty gave Destrehan 15 yards and another kick, which sophomore Will Bryant pushed through the uprights.

This is the first year the LHSAA implemented instant replay for the title games in the Superdome.

The rule change has drawn positive reviews, as well as criticism that the early reviews were lengthy and took too long.

McCullough gave a lot of credit to his defense for the win. “I thought tonight we were unbelievable on defense. We didn’t give up any big plays. They tackled well. If we don’t have 12 men on the field before the half, we give up zero points.”

The Wreckin’ Rams did a great job of containing Wildcats senior running back Kyle Edwards, who entered the contest averaging over 100 yards per game this season with 27 rushing touchdowns.

Edwards was held to only 51 yards on 13 carries for the night, unable to make any explosive plays all game.

Acadiana middle linebacker Derreck Bercier Jr. credited the Edwards, an Alabama commit, for his running style.

“Their running back is great,” Bercier said. He runs downhill and is very physical. He’s not easy to bring down.”

The game was essentially a rubber match for both ball clubs.

The Wildcats handled Acadiana in the 2007 title game 41-21. However, seven years later Acadiana avenged them, beating Destrehan 23-7 in the 2014 championship.

“My hats off to Acadiana,” Destrehan head coach Stephen Robicheaux said. “People talk about how their offense is so good, but I tell you what, their defense is special. We saw that tonight.”

Rams Dillan Monette was the offensive player of the game. Despite getting hurt in the second half, the senior running back carried the ball 21 times for a total of 157 yards.

When asked about the injury after the game, Monette said, “This is a feeling I cannot describe. I don’t feel pain right now. I feel joy. The joy I’m feeling is greater than the pain right now.”