By LORI LYONS, Journal Sports
Here is a little advice for Alexandria Senior High School football fans who are heading south for Friday night’s contest at Destrehan.
- Don’t speed through Krotz Springs on Highway 190.
- Don’t skip the jambalaya at the concession stand.
- Get a drink to go with it.
After that, fans should settle in for what should be an interesting battle between the undefeated Trojans, ranked No. 7 in the most recent LSWA Class 5A polls, and the Wildcats (1-1), ranked No. 9.
ASH is 2-0 with a pair of lopsided wins – a 54-7 win over West Feliciana and a 57-0 win over Union Parish, which was a state champion in 2023 and a semifinalist in 2024.
“We got off to a fast start in the first half and were able to grab control of it from the get-go,” Trojans coach Thomas Bachman said of last week’s victory. “We really limited them moving the football and that’s always a recipe for success.”
That’s also how Alexandria handled the Wildcats last season for a 45-27 win. Destrehan was without starting quarterback Jackson Fields due to a knee injury, leaving the play-calling to a freshman. The five-time state champion Wildcats regrouped and reached the semifinals last season.
Destrehan is coming off a 58-20 victory over Bonnabel last week, following a 23-20 loss to Catholic High of Baton Rouge in the season-opener. LSU commit Jabari Mack had a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in the opening minutes against Catholic and several long returns against Bonnabel. Running back Malachi Dabney scored four touchdowns.
Bachman said his team faces several big challenges with the Wildcats.
“Going on the road, No. 1,” he said. “One of our state’s more consistent programs through the years. They have been a championship contender and made deep playoff runs year after year. Great tradition. Tremendous challenge in front of us. They do a good job in all three phases. They have a lot of good players.”
Thursday night, Buckeye moved to 3-0 for the first time since 2014 with a thrilling 27-26 victory over visiting South Beauregard.
Preston Willis ran for 297 yards and two touchdowns, the second one a 30-yard run with 1:47 to go that tied the game. The conversion kick, also by Willis, made the difference.
The Panthers defense had two pick-six touchdowns.
Tonight’s lineup features the fifth annual “Bishop’s Bowl,” pitting Holy Savior Menard (1-1) against St. Mary’s (0-2). Menard won last year’s contest, 20-14, putting the tally at two wins for each school. The Eagles are home tonight.
Friday night’s game between visiting Tioga (1-1) and Pineville (2-0) is the local battle of the new coaches. Either Pineville’s Justin Charles or Dan Christman at Tioga will get one up on the other.
Northwood Lena, still searching for its first win, will host Pickering (1-1). The Red Devils defeated Gueydan 56-14 but lost to Montgomery 35-14.
Peabody (1-1) will also head south and a little more east to Fontainebleau (1-1). Both teams saw a lot of points scored last week as Peabody fell to a powerful Northwood team from Shreveport, 61-13, while Fontainebleau defeated Madison, 50-12. The Bulldogs used nine different ball carriers to rush for 210 yards and six touchdowns.
Bolton Academy forfeited its scheduled game at Lake Arthur.
Contact Lori at sportslyons@gmail.com