As called in previous predictions from football connoisseurs, the beginning of the Class 5A State Quarterfinals between the third-seeded Destrehan Wildcats and six-seeded Parkway Panthers would be a “track meet” from the opening kick.

On the first play from scrimmage, Panthers quarterback Keondre Wudtee, a Louisiana Tech commit, and Terrance Marshall, a Mississippi State commit, connected on a 42-yard completion. Two plays later, Robert McKnight plunged in the end zone for a 2-yard TD. For the next minute and a half, Destrehan and Parkway went from pillar to post. On a 3-play drive, Wildcats quarterback Kohen Granier connected with John Williams to tie the score at 7. On the second play its next drive, the Panthers capitalized on a 76-yard from another hook up from Wudtee to Marshall. The Wildcats would even the score at 14 less than two minute later on a 34-yard pass to Tramaine Armstrong. Parkway would however land back on top as Wudtee made a 8-yard pass to C.J. Morgan towards the end of the first quarter.

Believe it or not, the second quarter was quiet from both teams as the score went into the halftime, 21-14.

Destrehan and Parkway entered Friday’s game averaging more than 40 points per game. The Wildcats had a season high 62 points in a dominating win over district foe, East St. John. The Panthers had a season high of 57 in a thriller against Bastrop to open their season.

The Panthers would come out for the second half and extended its lead in their very first possession of the third quarter, as they went on a 75-yard drive, leading to a McKnight 1-yard TD run. The Panthers would then recover a Wildcats fumble and capitalize on the mistake as Wudtee made a 38-yard pass to McKnight.

Just like that, Destrehan found itself in a 35-14 hole.

However after winning most of its games by a comfortable margin (many decided by halftime), the Wildcats found themselves in a very unfamiliar position by trailing by 21 points before a furious resurgence.

On a fourth-and-4, the Wildcats would finally get back on the board as Kohen Granier connected with Tramaine Armstrong.

In the fourth quarter, Parkway’s Robert Mcknight fumbled, giving the ball right back to Destrehan at the Panthers’ 20-yard line. Granier would hit Justin Jefferson with an 11-yard toss to bring the Wildcats closer, 35-28.

Grainer would strike back and toss his third touchdown of the second half, connecting with John Brown for a 25-yard score which pulled Destrehan to close the Panthers lead to a point. However, their field goal attempt was blocked, leaving the Panthers on top 35-34 with less than eight mintutes remaining in the game.

Destrehan would not score again for the remained of the game and it would be the defense of Parkway to capitalize off of Destrehan’s turnovers.

Wudtee connected with Mitchell once again for a 9-yard touchdown and a successful two point conversion from Wudtee to Kendall Brown increased the Panthers’ lead to 43-34.

Destrehan would try to create a desperate drive to save their perfect season but Granier would throw his fourth interception of the game to Mississippi State commit, C.J. Morgan, who returned Granier’s pass 85 yards for a touchdown to seal the deal and eliminate the Wildcats 49-34.

“For the first time this year we might have seen a team that had better skill than us,” Destrehan coach Stephen Robicheaux said. “They did a tremendous job moving the ball and we couldn’t get over the hump. We were always (at least) one score behind.

Keondre Wudtee finished the game with almost 400 yards passing and four touchdowns. 

Terrance Marshall ended with five catches for 152 yards and touchdowns.

Six turnovers, including four interceptions, and numerous penalties foredoomed Destrehan and it ended their season at 11-1. All of the Wildcats’ losses over the past three seasons have come in the playoffs. 

“In the end, we had too many mistakes. You can’t overcome that many mistakes in a quarterfinal game against a good football team,” said Robicheaux.

Parkway improved to 12-1 and will face the second-seeded Zachary Broncos this week in the Class 5A semifinals. The Broncos eliminated the seventh-seeded Hahnville Tigers, 55-27. A win by both Destrehan and Hahnville would have set up another “Battle on the River” rematch in what would have most likely been the biggest game in St. Charles Parish and in the state of Louisiana. 

“I’m real happy for the success this team has had,” Robicheaux said. “They went to the semis, they went to the Dome and fought their way to the quarterfinals. They had a great run and they did a tremendous job. I’m just so proud of those guys. I know they are hurting, but there are worse things in life than losing a football game”.