LHSAA State Championships Top Performers: Destrehan vs. Ruston

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Destrehan's deep, talented 2023 class had eyed a state championship since arriving to high school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And many of that cohort that began playing notable roles as underclassman had helped the Wildcats make strong pushes and come close in previous postseasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But down to their final opportunity, the now-seniors made one critical play after another to secure a 17-10 defeat of top-seeded Ruston to complete their careers with the storybook Division-I nonselect crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/embed/dSCNJHUKlU4","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"embed-handler","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/embed/dSCNJHUKlU4 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='138283' first='Jai' last='Eugene Jr.'] (6-0, 175 QB/DB/ATH | 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the game tied again in the final minutes, the senior quarterback rolled out to his left and took off 29 yards for the game-winning score. Eugene, the Tulane defensive back commitment, showcased some of the speed, athleticism and quick feet that the Green Wave and other college programs recruited to their secondaries. He finished with 67 rushing yards on 12 attempts. The son of former LSU defensive back Jai Eugene also completed 11 of his 21 passes for 158 yards, including a few darts downfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='138324' first='Kevin' last='Adams'] (5-11, 175 DB | 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Tulane-committed defensive back earned the team's Outstanding Player honors for his work at his and Eugene's natural position. Adams finished among the game's leaders with eight tackles, including one for a loss, and forced a second-quarter fumble the Wildcats recovered and converted into a field goal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='138445' first='Daniel' last='Blood'] (6-0, 175 WR | 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The speedy Missouri commitment led all receivers with 118 yards, including 82 after the catch, on six catches. Blood finished the season with 33 catches for 708 yards and 12 touchdowns and was also one of the state's top returners with 343 yards and four scores on 17 punt returns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='285271' first='Anthony' last='Robinson III'] (5-10, 185 ATH/DB | 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the Wildcats' junior leaders was the one to scoop the fumble Adams forced and, for that matter, seemed to be around the ball most of the game, including six tackles. Robinson flies around the field with an impressive combination of speed and physicality that the Wildcats also utilized on offense for a 12-yard reception and a 17-yard run. He figures to be one of Destrehan's top few returning leaders in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/embed/XHDtNiR3SBg","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"embed-handler","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/embed/XHDtNiR3SBg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='285613' first='Jadon' last='Mayfield'] (6-0, 220 LB/RB | 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ruston's junior linebacker was one of Louisiana's best players at his position all season with 119 tackles, including 10 for loss and 4.5 sacks, as well as a pair of interceptions and pair of fumble recoveries. And fans and media on a statewide level got a glimpse of his smart, fast and physical play with his nine-tackle title-game showing, including 2.5 stops in the backfield. Mayfield, a two-time District 2-5A Defensive MVP, makes quick, good reads, gets downhill in a hurry and arrives with forceful, highlight-reel hits. The hard-nose, old-school standout is also a willing blocker and occasional runner or receiver on offense to help complement the Bearcats' star running backs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='138479' first='Dyson' last='Fields'] (5-11, 190 RB | 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior leader of that Ruston stable of backs grinder his way to 49 tough yards through Destrehan's stout, veteran defense to finish the season with 1,230 yards and 21 scores on 250 carries despite missing portions of four games. Fields was the Bearcats' bell-cow throughout his career, particularly as an upperclassman, taking the reins from former star Ke'Travion Hargrove and now passing down to 2025 standout Jordan Hayes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->