By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — Domination. Total and complete domination.
Ruston High showed no mercy Friday night to a Destrehan program that had ended its postseason in four of the last seven seasons by a final score of 44-7 in front of a near-capacity home crowd and Cat Box in freezing temperatures.
“Destrehan is a very good football team, and nobody needs to lose track of that,” Ruston High head coach Jerrod Baugh said. “I just think our kids got out there and they were ready to play. We’ve got so many guys that have been around for the previous two runs to the state championship, and I think the motivation that they gained out of who they were playing tonight led into that. I heard some of the kids talking about getting it back for some groups that had been through here before that hadn’t beaten (Destrehan). It’s a tough program to play, and it’s a program that when I took over, you compare yourself to.”
A nearly flawless scoring first half start with a nine-yard touchdown run by senior running back Dylone Brooks with 7:24 to go in the first quarter to give Ruston a 7-0 lead. Destrehan’s opening drive of the night ended with an interception by Bearcat senior cornerback Trindon Moore at Ruston’s 44-yard line.
“They had been moving the ball a little bit on us and having some success,” Baugh said. “That was a very big play by Trindon, just at the right time. And then it went just like it did last week — we were able to get up a couple of scores, which always changes up what somebody is trying to do offensively. (His interception) was big for us for sure on that drive.”
The Bearcats then marched down the field and scored on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Ruston senior quarterback Josh Brantley to senior wide receiver Joran Parker, who was wide open in the back corner of the red zone to give Ruston a 14-0 lead
The Wildcats’ next drive of the night ended in a turnover on downs on a fourth-and-six in Ruston territory following a huge tackle on the previous play by sophomore cornerback Jayden Anding on Destrehan junior wideout Phillip Wright III.
“(Both Trindon and Jayden) are first year starters, and they’ve played a bunch of games now,” Baugh said. “It’s not like they’re brand new guys coming in anymore. The experience that they got against the quality of teams we’ve played is a very big deal. And when you’ve been getting that experience, you’re able to make plays like that whenever the time comes late in teh season.”
Brooks then took a 44-yard run into the end zone on the ensuing Bearcat possession for a 21-0 lead.
The Ruston defense, stingy for the first two quarters, held the Wildcats to a three-and-out on the ensuing drive and were able to march the ball down the field to set senior kicker Jack Elliott up for a 23-yard field goal to put the Bearcats up 24-0 before halftime.
After kicking off the start the second half, Ruston was able to recover a fumble on the return, leading to a 21-yard touchdown reception by junior fullback Lander Smith with 11:43 to go in the third quarter for a 31-0 lead.
Destrehan drove the ball down the field and got into the red zone for the only time of the night, only to turn it over on downs on 4th-and-goal from the 14 yard line.
Brantley run in a quarterback keeper from 28-yards out on the ensuing drive with 0:53 to play in the third for a 38-0 lead.
On the Wildcats’ next drive, senior lineman Keegan Goldsmith would recover a strip sack fumble by senior linebacker Zander Hayes for Ruston and return it to the Destrehan 15-yard line. Sophomore quarterback Sam Hartwell would get a seven-yard touchdown run with 8:42 left to play to put Ruston up 44-0 and start a running clock situation for the remainder of the game.
Destrehan would finally get on the scoreboard late in the ballgame on a 33-yard touchdown run by wide receiver Phillip Wright, III, for a 44-7 score.
Ruston’s offense amassed 356 yards of total offense against 245 for Destrehan. Brantley finished with two throwing touchdowns while rushing for another score. Brooks led all rushers on the night with 108 yards and two touchdowns.
Ruston will play the No. 4 Central Wildcats on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 3:30 p.m. for the Division I, Non-Select state championship in the Super Dome in New Orleans. And for the seniors on this team, it will be a chance to cap off sensational Bearcat careers.
“It’s pretty special,” Baugh said. “You look at the previous two senior classes — all of them in their own right accomplished a lot of things. And these guys are no different than that. I think they set out to do something that’s never been done here at Ruston, which is hard to do. You look at all the football games and state championships and runner-ups, all of those things. There’s really not a lot of things that you can look at that haven’t been done here. (Going to three straight title games) is something that hasn’t been done. And they take that as a challenge.
“It’s a pretty special group, and another one of those groups that I’ve had my hands on since they were in the sixth grade. It will be hard to watch those guys go. But nights like tonight and then next Saturday afternoon — having an opportunity where you’re in control of when your season is finished is the best way to feel. You’ll always want to win the last ball game.”
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