Old-fashioned ingredients lead Wildcats to consecutive wins
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, September 15, 1999
MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / September 15, 1999
DESTREHAN – Defense and a running attack have been the key to many a championship team since the early days of football.
Destrehan has used that combination to win three straight district titles.
And those ingredients are working once again for the Wildcats in the early going of the 1999 season.
Through the first eight quarters, the Wildcats have yet to allow a point, blanking Slidell (21-0) and Douglass (32-0). Against Slidell, the Wildcatsallowed 82 total yards to the Tigers. Against Douglass Friday night, TheWildcats held the Bobcats to 59 total yards, including a minus 5 on the ground. The defense contributed to the scoring, twice tackling theDouglass quarterback in the end zone for safeties, and set up two other scores with interceptions.
And while before the season, Destrehan looked to be going to a more wide open passing attack, the key so far, as it has been in recent years, has been the running game. The Wildcats rushed for 128 yards in the openerand followed that up with a 114-yard performance Friday. Deron Love ledthe way with 55 yards and a score after scoring twice in the first game.
Passing wise, Ivan Mashia has thrown for 263 yards and two touchdowns.
The Wildcats will be going up against another defensive-minded team this week as they travel to Ponchatoula. The Green Wave are 0-2 after lossesto De La Salle (7-6) and Hahnville (24-19).
Ponchatoula held Hahnville to 78 yards rushing but were raked for 198 yards through the air by Tiger quarterback Dawan Landry. The Green Wave,which trailed 17-6 at halftime, closed to within 24-19 in the fourth quarter but could not move into Hahnville territory in the final minute.
Ponchatoula is led by senior Ronald McClendon. Mc-Clendon ran for 63yards and a score and also had a touchdown receiving. He also completed 3of his 13 passes for 59 yards. McClendon, who also plays cornerback, hasbeen timed as one of the fastest players in the country.
In the opener, however, it was senior Chris Hogan providing the offense, rushing for 87 yards and a score as the Green Wave rushed for over 200 yards.
The defense is where the Green Wave were expected to shine before the season started. McClendon and safety Deshawn Carter were preseason all-state picks and linebacker Ryan Miller was a second team selection. JonConley, Greg McKay and Karl Wilson lead the push up front.
Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Ponchatoula.Next week, Destrehan will look to start the journey to a fourth-straight district title as it hosts Thibodaux for Homecoming.
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