Defense dominates as Destrehan defeats Lutcher in jamboree, 7-0

DESTREHAN, La. – Jamborees are always a good way to gauge yourself and readiness for the regular season.

When you pair a couple of state champions in a jamboree, you get an even better indication of where you are as a team.

Defending Non-Select Division I state champion Destrehan and defending Non-Select Division II state champion Lutcher hooked up Friday night in the Ed Reed Jamboree at Destrehan.

Defense ruled the evening and the Destrehan defense proved best as the Wildcats downed the Bulldogs 7-0.

After going scoreless for ten minutes, Destrehan broke through with the only scoring drive of the contest, going 63 yards in five plays with Shane Lee scoring on a 4-yard run with 4:57 to play in the half.

Anthony Robinson III had an interception for the Wildcats, who ended the game at the Lutcher 2-yard line and allowed the clock to run out.

The Destrehan defense held Lutcher to just four first downs and just 66 total yards.

Lee led the way with 10 catches for 54 yards and the lone score.

Jackson Fields threw the ball well, completing 7 of 13 passes for 78 yards and had a couple of key drops, including a deep ball. Greg Wilfred had a 32-yard reception for the Wildcats.

“I can’t remember the last time two defending state champions faced off in a jamboree so it was pretty special,” Destrehan coach Marcus Scott said. “The kids came out on both sides and played hard. These are two proud programs. Our defense is the foundation of our team, that’s where we start and build our program on. We feel our offense will come around at some point. There are some things are clean up. It was our first time under the lights. We want to improve a little at the time and be playing well at the end of the season.”

Quinn Smith and Zack Jenkins split time at quarterback for Lutcher, trying to fill the huge hold left by superstar D’Wanye Winfield, now at the University of Louisiana. Smith was 3 of 6 for 32 yards with an interception while Jenkins rushed for 19 yards on seven carries. The Bulldogs were able to reach the Destrehan 24-yard line in the second half but turned the ball over on downs.

“We talked to our kids about competing,” Lutcher coach Dwain Jenkins said. “We know there’s not many guys on our sideline that probably would be able to play for those guys, they are so talented. We just wanted to see our kids compete and I thought we competed hard. We think our defense is the strength of our football team and they showed up tonight and played really, really well. We know we will have some growing pains on offense. Even ‘Lunch’ (Winfield) probably would have struggled tonight with our young offensive line.”

Both teams open their seasons next Friday night as Destrehan entertains Bonnabel while Lutcher hosts Thibodaux.

FINAL
Lutcher 0 0 0
Destrehan 7 0 0

Rushing Yards:
Destrehan 79, Lutcher 34

Passing Yards:
Destrehan 78, Lutcher 31

Total Yards:
Destrehan 157, Lutcher 65

First Downs:
Destrehan 10, Lutcher 4

Sacks:
Destrehan 1, Lutcher 1

Penalties:
Destrehan 6 for 55 yards, Lutcher 5 for 55 yards

Turnovers:
Destrehan 1, Lutcher 1