Scott, Destrehan seek another title game appearance with seasoned squad

Unbeaten third seed Destrehan (12-0) hosts No. 6 Westgate (10-3) in the Non-Select Division I state semifinals tonight at 7 p.m.

The visiting Tigers are the defending Class 4A state champion and were reclassified as a Division I school in early September, and they have handled it very well. Westgate has playoff wins over Slidell (35-14), Slidell (28-7) and Neville (21-10).

There’s no questioning the mettle of Westgate. Last year, the Tigers went to Behrman Stadium and upset Edna Karr in the state semifinals before edging Warren Easton 14-13 in the Class 4A championship game.

In his first season after succeeding long-time success Steve Robicheaux as head coach, Marcus Scott did not miss a beat. I was at Acadiana broadcasting the game in 2020 as the Wildcats were shut out 23-0. The Wreckin’ Rams went on to win the state title the following week.

Scott guided Destrehan to another semifinal appearance last year, falling to eventual state champion Zachary 34-13 at Zachary.

In 2022, Scott has a seasoned, senior-laded Wildcat squad in the semifinals again but there are three marked differences this time around.

First, Destrehan is a very experienced team with a ton of upperclassmen who have been there, done that deep into the playoffs.

Second, this year’s Wildcats are unbeaten, having vanquished all opponents.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, Destrehan is the home team in the semifinals for the first time under Scott.

Destrehan won state titles in 1949 under Vane Wilson and in 1973 under Jessie Roussel. In 1993, Tim Rebowe took the Wildcats to the Class 5A title game.

Under Robicheaux, the Wildcats won back-to-back 5A state titles in 2007 and 2008. The program also had finals appearances in 2014 and 2018, losing to Acadiana on both occasions, and reached the semifinals in 2013 and 2016. This year’s success is nothing new.

The Wildcats are led by senior quarterback and Tulane commit Jai Eugene Jr., who has rushed for 563 yards and 11 touchdowns and passed for 1,643 yards and 23 scores. Eugene will play defensive back at the next level.

“Jai is the perfect example of how this team has bought in and is unselfish,” Scott said. “He will play defensive back at Tulane but we needed him at quarterback and he has done a great job for us.”

Superb senior receiver and recent Missouri commit Daniel Blood has 27 catches for 590 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Junior running back Shane Lee has been outstanding, a battering ram, with several offers, including from Florida State and Miami. Lee has rushed for 997 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Lee runs behind another Tulane commit in massive Landry Cannon.

The Destrehan defense has been tremendous, pitching there shutouts while allowing just 6.2 points per game.

A week ago, Destrehan survived a real scare, escaping Reserve with a 21-20 win at East St. John in a District 7-5A rematch contest. Destrehan had whipped East St. John 48-7 in the regular season.

It was the first close game of the season for Destrehan, which may benefit the Wildcats tonight.

The closest previous game was a 21-point win over Dutchtown in the regional round of the playoffs.

“We knew the rematch game would be much tougher,” Scott said. “It was difficult but our players found a way to win. Playing a competitive game should benefit us. We are an experienced team and playing at home will certainly be welcome after being on the road in the semifinals the last two seasons.”

Having won in the New Orleans area against two power programs a year ago, Westgate is certainly poised and prepared for the challenge.

The three losses for the Tigers were to Lafayette powers Teurlings Catholic, St. Thomas More and Lafayette Christian, all of whom are playing in the semifinals tonight.

Westgate has a pair of talented players in the secondary, including Texas commit Derek Williams and sophomore Amari Simon.

Offensively, quarterback Jaboree Antoine leads the way, coming off a two-touchdown pass performance in the win over Neville. Antoine threw three touchdown passes in the playoff win over Slidell. Williams also starred on offense with a 41-yard touchdown run. Brailon Raymond and Amaaz Eugene are top receivers for the Tigers.

“Westgate is a defending state champion,” Scott said. “They have won on the biggest stages and are playing very well. We know we will have to play well to meet the challenge and look forward to the opportunity.”

The winner will face the winner of tonight’s semifinal game pitting defending state champion and No. 5 seed Zachary at top seed Ruston. The championship game is slated for next Friday, December 9 at 7 p.m. at Caesars Superdome.