SCOTT — Acadiana meets Destrehan Friday in 2019 championship rematch, with a twist. The game is a rematch in name, but not necessarily in play.
The Rams beat the Wildcats 8-3 in a defensive showdown in the Dome last winter, winning their fifth title, in what would be Destrehan head coach Stephen Robichaux's final game. The longtime fixture retired, ushering in a new era led by Marcus Scott.
Scott, a former DHS defensive coordinator, didn't reinvent the defense, and why would he? Holding Acadiana to 8 points last year took near divine intervention, or in this case a few lucky breaks. Acadiana head coach Matt Matt McCullough says Destrehan still employs a run-heavy attack, now out of a spread. While some of the concepts are new, watching tape still brings an air of familiarity.
"It does feel familiar seeing them on film," said senior linebacker Derreck Bercier Jr. "We've seen what they did once, and we can better prepare for them and have a better feel for their athletes and how they play."
"They're still running the football a lot," added McCullough. "They got two big ole backs and they don't get into the 'I [formation]' as much, they're in the gun and have a quarterback that can run, so they're spread, but they still run the football."
Defense will remain key Friday night, and both have been downright great this year. Acadiana (9-1) allows opponents just 10 points per game; Destrehan (10-1) just 9.5 ppg.
Acadiana is 2-1 against Destrehan in the state playoffs.
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