Destrehan Wildcats

By Lee Brecheen

Head Coach: Marcus Scott(4th year)

2022 Record: 14-0 (District and State Champions)

Class & District: Class 5A (District 7)

2022 Playoffs: 1st Round Bye, Defeated Dutchtown 35-14 in 2nd Round, Defeated East St. John 21-20 in Quarterfinals, Defeated Westgate 21-6 in Semifinals, Defeated Ruston 17-10 in Division I (Non-Select) State Championship Game

Destrehan head coach Marcus Scott led the Wildcats to its fifth state title after they defeated fellow state power Ruston 17-10 in the 2022 Division I (Non-Select) State Championship game. Scott, who played football at both Jesuit HS in new-orleans and McNeese State, felt a lot at ease as he won his first-ever state title as a high school head coach.

Destrehan RB Shane Lee

“Winning the state championship in 2022 was my first one as a head coach and a big relief getting that first one,” said Scott. “It felt good after all those years of hard work and a lot of these kids worked toward the title game for 4 years.”

The Wildcats also won state titles in 1949, 1973, 2007 and 2008. They were also state runner-ups in 1993,2014, 2008 & 2019. Destrehan has won its district 22 times, with its first in 1949 and its last being in 2022. Ironically, the 1949 team was Destrehan’s first state title winner while the 2022 team was its most recent.

Destrehan had one of the largest classes in Louisiana last year as the Wildcats had 11 players sign to play football. Those players include Jai Eugene Jr. (Tulane), DB Lynard Harris (ULM), WR Leslie Jefferson(Southwest Mississippi Junior ), WR Daniel Blood (Missouri), OG Landry Cannon (Tulane), Center Alex Hamilton (Centenary), OT Christian Martin (Colorado State), DT Amare Johnson (Pearl River Mississippi Junior ), DB Travon Thomas (East Central Mississippi Junior ), DB Jacobi Green (East Central Mississippi Junior ) and LB Rayjuan Ducre(Centenary).

The offense for the Wildcats will be very much the same in 2023 as the offensive line has size. However, unlike last season, the Wildcats’ offense will have some young players, including a new quarterback, but they have lettered.

The new quarterback will be Jackson Fields (6-1, 190) who has a really good arm and good footwork. Fields will give this team another chance to get back to the state title game in 2023. The program also has another QB who is capable in senior Braden Fenerty (6-1, 185) who also has a good arm and good feet in the pocket. The run game will return four-year starter RB Shane Lee (5-10, 215), who I think is the best power runner in Louisiana. Lee has a similar build to former Alabama and new-orleans Saints RB Mark Ingram as well as his power and quickness hitting the hole. He’s the kind of back no one wants to tackle in high school. The program also has other talented backs to get carries Shane Ward (5-8, 175) has power and 4.5 speed, and senior RB Jayden Bailey (6-0, 180) also has power and 4.5 speed.

The wide receiver unit again is one of the best in Louisiana starters and depth-wise led by three-year starter senior Anthony Robinson (6-1, 190, 4.5 speed) who stepped up big-time in the playoffs and Phillip Wright III, who has true track speed and can run a 4.45 forty or better. On top of that, Wright ran a 10.62 in the 100m in track, which is one of the best times in the state. They also return WR Johnnie Thiel (6-0, 180), who has all the tools, and senior WR Makylon Smothers (6-3, 190, 4.55 speed) after he missed all of last season due to injury and has raw ability. The Wildcats also have talented young WRs Gregory Wilfred and Jabari

Destrehan DE/OLB Kolaj Cobbins

Mack, who is another talented speedster.

The offensive line lost a lot of experience and leadership but returns some experience in OT Jayce Mitchell (6-3, 280), who is a three-year starter and future player, center Michael Reed Jr. (6-1, 280) and converted OL Dylan Thomas (6-2, 300), who will also play some downs on the defensive line, his original position. There’s also senior Yarnell Smith (5-9, 250), who is a leader on the team. This is a position where two or three young players will need to step up to add depth to this unit.

Destrehan’s defense will be vaunted once again as they are fast, tough and skilled. The defensive backfield lost a lot of experience, especially at linebacker. However, talented players do return with some experience. The front seven is led by senior DE/OLB Kolaj Cobbins (6-3 215) who is one of the best edge rushers in the country and will be a future superstar in . On the other side, there’s a second-year starter in senior Gideon Bowman (6-2, 235) who will also be a great pass rusher with 4.69 speed. The Wildcats have some big and strong defensive tackles led by seniors Jairin McCall (6-1, 300), DT Dylan Thomas (6-2, 300) and DT Kam Thomas (5-10, 255). The rest of the linebacking corps includes a few players who will rotate: senior Arrington Adams (5-10, 220), LB Brody Picou (6-0, 210), LB Myd Gilbert (5-11, 210) and Semaj Walker (6-0, 210).

The secondary lost a few big-time players but returns some experience in senior FS Anthony Robinson (6-1, 190), senior CB Tai Terrell (6-1, 175) who has 4.5 speed and is one of the best defensive backs in the state and CB Korwin Scott Jr (6-1, 165) who is a new starter but he played quite a bit last season and he has a lot of talent. You also have senior CB Braylen Cryer (5-8, 165), CB Lindell Harris, FS/WR Jhase Thomas (6-3, 175), CB Dejai Smith (5-8, 165) and FS J.T White (6-0, 200). You will also see some young players coming up to get playing time for the first time to make the group deep again.

Destrehan’s special teams will be very strong. The team returns two starters for the 2023 season. The starting kicker from the 2022 season got hurt in week four, senior Kaleb Johnson (5-7, 165). Senior Ryan Lacy (5-9, 160) performed well in place of Johnson and had great kicks all season long. Johnson and Lacy give Destrehan two All-District caliber kickers back in 2023. They both can perform punting duties as well.

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