By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Destrehan came one step closer to its second straight undefeated regular season, cruising past East Ascension 46-0 on Friday night at Destrehan.

The Wildcats (8-0, 4-0) clinched at least a share of the District 5-5A championship, and can win the title outright with a win over Dutchtown on Friday. The Wildcats have won 23 games in a row, dating back to the beginning of its undefeated championship season in 2007.

“I thought we played well in all phases,” said Destrehan Coach Stephen Robicheaux. “An interception and a punt return for a touchdown, a fine defensive effort. It’s something we needed to have at this point in the season.”

That punt return came on the Spartans’ (2-6, 1-3) first punt of the game. For the second straight week, Antonio Parker took a return all the way, his 60-yard return putting Destrehan ahead 7-0.

The Wildcats rolled from there. The Wildcats scored 22 first quarter points and led 32-0 at the half.

“That’s what you want to do,” said Robicheaux. “When you get a big lead early, it’s good late in the season. It gives you a chance to rest some guys, not risk injuries to starters. And we can get our young guys some valuable playing time.”

Destrehan played with its second unit throughout the second half.

Defensive end and Alabama commitment Darrington Sentimore forced an East Ascension safety for Destrehan’s second score of the game, putting the Wildcats up 9-0. A Ryan Rome punt left EA pinned inside its 1-yard line, and Sentimore tackled Marcus Bailey for the two points.

Henry Lenox’s 22-yard touchdown catch from Wynrick Smothers put Destrehan ahead 16-0. Then Parker struck again. He picked off a pass and ran it back for a 39-yard score to make it 22-0 after one quarter.

After a Rome field goal in the second quarter, Smothers found receiver Marcus Lane for a 36-yard score, making it 32-0 at halftime.

Lenox added a 56-yard rushing touchdown in the second half. Otis Ben scored on a 25-yard interception return.

Lenox only carried five times, but finished with 109 yards on the ground.

Destrehan held East Ascension to 100 total yards.

Destrehan’s final challenge of the regular season comes against Dutchtown in a game that will decide the District 5-5A championship.

“We’ve challenged the kids to go out and get an outright district title,” he said. “We don’t want to be nice. We don’t want to share it.”