MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / October 6, 1999

DESTREHAN – It took two games and five overtime periods but it looks like the Destrehan Wildcats have their offense back on track.

Destrehan had struggled on offense in a 23-13 loss at Ponchatoula and a 9-7 win against Thibodaux and through the most of its 57-50 win at East St. John Friday. The Wildcats scored more points in the five overtimes(35) than they had in their previous nine quarters of play.

But the offense came through when it was needed the most Friday. First itwas a 52-yard drive that tied the game at 22 with 2:52 left. Then theWildcats matched East St. John score for score through the first fourovertime periods before Ivan Mashia hit Allan Decker for the eventual winning touchdown. Mashia went 6-for-6 in the extra time, throwing twotouchdown passes to Decker and one apiece to Corey Eugene and Richard Jones. The Wildcats also scored on a pass from Danny Krieger to DamienRichard on a fake field goal attempt.

Mashia finished the game 19-of-32 for 148 yards and four touchdowns.

Deron Love had his best game of the season with 167 yards and three touchdowns on runs of 85, 10 and 3 yards. Jonathan Scifres hit on his finalsix extra point attempts, including all five in overtime.

The defense, a main reason the Wildcats have gotten off to a 4-1 start, including 2-0 in District 7-5A, came up big again Friday. The Wildcatssacked East St. John quarterback Floyd Smith twice on the finalpossession of the overtime to preserve the win. Jamall Johnson set up atouchdown in the third quarter with an interception and 42-yard return.

Not counting the overtime periods, the Wildcats have given up a total of 52 points through five games.

Destrehan will be looking to maintain first place in District 7-5A when it hosts Central Lafourche Friday night. The Trojans (3-2, 1-1) are comingoff a 28-25 come-from-behind victory over Hahnville last Friday. CentralLafourche intercepted two Hahnville passes in the fourth quarter, including one that was returned 26 yards by Darius Griffin for a touchdown, to turn a 17-14 deficit into a 28-17 lead.

Griffin sparked the victory, adding 74 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries to go with the interception return. The Trojans were out-gained340-204 in the game but did not turn the ball over.

Central Lafourche runs out of the multiple I offense led by quarterback Andy Griffin. Darius Griffin is the main back, gaining over 300 yards thisseason. The defense is led by tackle Chris Hecker, who garnered all-district honors last year, and defensive backs Shane Eschete and Jason Stoddard.

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