With their annual showdown with Central up next, Jackets look to build on improved passing game

DENHAM SPRINGS -- Making progress is a sermon that just about any coach will insist is a goal every week of the season.

Sometimes the fruits of that labor wind up a little bitter and getting rid of that taste has to be part of the next week’s game plan.

Last week, Denham Springs High turned in the kind of performance against Zachary that will add up to a victory more often than not. Just happened that for one night, a handful of plays added up to a one-point loss.

District 4-5A doesn’t allow for a lot of time to mull what might’ve been, and with another rival coming up, the Yellow Jackets’ made the kind of transition that their coach has learned to expect from his crew.

DSHS (3-3, 0-2 district) plays host to Central (4-3, 0-2) at 7:30 p.m. Friday in a battle of proud programs looking to gain a foothold and work towards a playoff spot.

“These guys are not going to raise a white flag just because we’ve lost a few games,” DSHS coach Dru Nettles said. “We’re very proud of them. I wouldn’t trade this bunch of kids for any that I’ve coached in my career. With what they’ve gone through in the floods and all the different routines that have been disrupted and they’ve adjusted to, they’ve been outstanding kids and outstanding human beings.

"They have grown each week as young men. They understand the process. They understand it’s a game and they’ve grown up as people and they’re growing each week. There is lots of great character with this team.”

That character has manifested itself in steady progress in the face of uncommon adversity, and last week provided plenty of cause for optimism.

Denham clicked on offense with a variety of players chipping in, from the expected big-play flair of Tyre Golmond as the kickstart. He rushed for 144 yards, including a 78-yard run, and threw for a 61-yard score.

What was encouraging to go along with that was an effective passing game, with junior quarterback Cameron Feucht delivering his best performance in two varsity seasons.

Mixing in short passes with play-action throws created off of Golmond’s constant threat, Feucht connected on 10-of-15 throws for 173 yards and a pair of TDs vs. Zachary.

If last week was a signal of Feucht’s emergence, that could be big for Denham.

Golmond has rushed for 657 yards and 8 touchdowns in six games and is at the top of every opposing defensive coordinator’s to-do list prior to meeting the Yellow Jackets. That’s not exactly a secret to the rest of the DSHS offense.

“If they stop the run then we have to finds ways to attack the defense with the pass,” receiver Heath Woods said. “Tyre is great, but we can’t expect him to carry us on every play, so it’s up to the passing game to make some plays.”

Which means Woods, Kaleb Drummer, Tyler Hoover and D.J. Williams have to seize opportunities when they arise.

Woods leads the Jackets with 14 receptions for 169 yards, Drummer has turned four of his 12 catches into touchdowns and Hoover and Williams each have chimed in at times.

Hoover caught a touchdown pass in overtime from Feucht last week and said the confidence the Denham gained in a 35-34 loss is important moving forward.

“That’s a big time confidence-booster,” Hoover said. “We’ve been getting better with the passing game every week and now the coaches have more confidence in us.”

A lot of which has to do with Feucht.

Most of the season so far has been an experiment for Nettles at the QB spot, with Feucht and senior Parker Simoneaux as the two primary traditional options there, while Hunter Scott and Golmond have gotten plenty of time there in wildcat looks.

Feucht is 27-for-48 passing this season for 462 yards with 6 touchdowns and a pair of interceptions. Was last week a breakthrough or a baseline for what DSHS can do over the final three weeks and beyond?

“It was a plus for that game,” Nettles said. “We try to take advantage of whatever presents itself and we made some plays in the passing game.

“Cameron is a great kid who comes to work every day and has been able to make some throws as the season has gone on. He was able to be a little more consistent last week and we hope that was something we can build on.”

Added Woods, “I think he’s improved a lot since last year. He’s not as nervous when he gets in the game. He knows if he’ll put the ball up, we’ll go and get it.”

Central’s defense might force the Jackets’ hand in that regard a bit if they can shake off the indignity of a 40-0 loss to Scotlandville last week.

The Wildcats have been solid on defense all season, including the district opener when Walker had to scratch and claw to generate 284 yards. Even in the blowout last week, Scotlandville led just 14-0 at halftime before wearing Central down.

What Central-Denham shapes up as is a Wildcats’ offense that has struggled against a Jackets’ defense that has been shaky, and Denham’s explosive offense against a stingy Central D.

However, the rivalry element, mixed with each team being hungry for a district win, means to expect the unexpected.

“With all the rivalries, you get a lot of talking go around, so there’s a lot of emotion this week,” Hoover said. “When you go 0-2, nobody expects much from you, so we’re going to come out and play hard.

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Randy Rosetta is Sports Editor of The Livingston Parish News.

You can reach him at (225) 610.5507 or RandyR@LivingstonParishNews.com.

Follow on Twitter: @RandyRosetta | @LPN_Sports | @LPNews1898