Non-Select Division I State Championship Preview: Ruston vs. Destrehan

December 7, 2022

by Hunter Bower // GeauxPreps.com Owner

No. 1 Ruston (12-1) vs. No. 3 Destrehan (13-0)

Friday, Dec. 9 | 7 p.m. | Caesars Superdome | New Orleans, LA
Tickets | Watch – NFHS Network ($)

Distance To New Orleans: Destrehan (23 miles); Ruston (314 miles)

Ruston Bearcats

Head Coach: Jerrod Baugh (6th year, 53-20)

State Finals History: 8 state titles – 1990 (4A), 1988 (4A), 1986 (4A), 1982 (4A), 1951 (1A), 1947 (1A), 1941 (1A), 1925; 3 runner-up finishes – 1998 (5A), 1984 (4A), 1944 (1A),

Road To The Dome:

  • Regional: Beat No. 17 Ouachita Parish, 37-16
  • Quarterfinals: Beat No. 9 Denham Springs, 49-31
  • Semi-Finals: Beat No. 5 Zachary, 37-22

The Skinny:

• Ruston punched its ticket to the Prep Classic for the first time since 1998 but the Bearcats are looking for their first championship since 1990. Jerrod Baugh could join legendary coaches Ben Rush, “Hoss” Garrett and Chick Childress as head coaches to lead Ruston to a state title win.

Averages: Scoring 37.6 points per game, allowing 17.8 points per game

Signature wins: Jesuit (Sept. 9); Lafayette Christian (Sept. 23); West Monroe (Nov. 4); Zachary (Dec. 2)

Players to watch: QB Jaden Osborne (5-11, 160); RB Dyson Fields (5-11, 185); WR Aaron Jackson (6-1, 166); DL Christian Davis (6-3, 300); LB Jadon Mayfield (6-0, 225); OL Chameron Williams (6-0, 275)

Destrehan Wildcats

Head Coach: Marcus Scott (5th season, 52-8)

State Finals History: 1 state title – 2008 (5A), 2007 (5A), 1973 (3A), 1949 (1A); 3 runner-up finishes – 2019 (5A), 2014 (5A), 1993 (5A)

Road To The Dome:

  • Regional: Beat No. 14 Dutchtown, 35-14
  • Quarterfinals: Beat No. East St. John, 21-20
  • Semi-Finals: Beat No. Westgate, 21-6

The Skinny:

• Destrehan has four state championships in its history but it’s been a while since the Wildcats have enjoyed the thrill with the last win coming in 2008. Destrehan is also one of three undefeated teams to advance to the Prep Classic joining Many and Vermilion Catholic.

Averages: Scoring 40.6 points per game, allowing 6.2 points per game

Signature wins: Hahnville (Sept. 23); East St. John (Oct. 28); Westgate (Dec. 2)

Players to watch: QB Jai Eugene (6-0, 175); LB Kolaj Cobbins (6-3, 205)

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