By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

For 30 games in a row, Destrehan had simply found a way to win, one way or another.

Thibodaux just wouldn’t allow the Wildcats to do that for a 31st.

The Tigers jumped out to a 23-7 first half lead and held serve from there, becoming the first team to top the two-time defending 5A champions in almost three years, 31-21.

Thibodaux held Destrehan to 51 yards rushing, and while Destrehan quarterback Taylor Dunn summoned some big plays through the air on his way to a 212, three-touchdown night, it wasn’t enough.

Quarterback Trovon Reed led the way for the Tigers. He was 5-of-15 passing for 72 yards and a touchdown, while adding 85 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Running back Brandon Dumas ran 18 times for 77 yards and two scores.

The teams traded scores in the first quarter. Thibodaux struck first via a 12-yard touchdown pass from Reed to Dylan Douglas, making it 6-0.

Destrehan struck back on the first of three long pass plays – Dunn found Kyron King, who hauled in a tipped ball and raced for an 88-yard score, lifting Destrehan to a 7-6 lead midway through the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Reed put his team on top again via a 23-yard rushing touchdown, making it 13-7.

Duncan added to the lead, rushing for a 1-yard score to make it 20-7.

Thibodaux would add a field goal before the end of the half to make it 23-7.

Destrehan pulled closer before entering the locker room, Dunn’s 76-yard strike to Marcus Lane making it 23-14.

Thibodaux added a fourth quarter score on another 1-yard scoring plunge from Duncan, who added the two-point conversion on a run to make it 31-14.

Lane added another score for Destrehan, but the deficit was too steep to erase.

Thibodaux intercepted Dunn three times, and outrushed Destrehan 210-51.