Special teams leading Lutcher, SJ

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, September 15, 1999

MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / September 15, 1999

LUTCHER – Special teams is an often overlooked aspect of a football game.

But last Friday, Lutcher and St. James both showed the importance of thisthird component of the game.

Lutcher’s Bernard Riley blocked a Vandebilt punt and returned it for a touchdown in the Bulldogs’ 35-8 victory. And Alvin Bartholomew kicked a27-yard field to give the Wildcats a 24-23 victory over East St. John.Both teams also had their defenses come up with big plays. With Lutcherclinging to a 7-0 lead in the second quarter, Riley intercepted a pass and returned it 29 yards for a score.

The Bulldogs had 11 sacks in the game and forced two turnovers while holding the Terriers to 174 yards in offense.

St. James allowed East St. John to roll up 293 yards in offense but forcedtwo turnovers, including a fumble recovery by Cedric Vaughn at the Wildcat 11-yard line that set up the winning score. Vaughn alsointercepted a tipped pass to end the Wildcats’ last threat.

The similarities continue on offense where both teams got 100-plus rushing games from their backs. Lutcher’s Damian Ursin ran for 121 yardsand two scores while St. James’ Leslie Aubert carried 15 times for 151yards. Passing, St. James’ Corey Webster threw for 184 yards and threetouchdowns while Lutcher’s Thomas Ricks passed for 79 yards.

Both teams did struggle offensively in the first half. St. James moved theball downfield but for the second straight week, missed out on two scoring chances in the first quarter. Lutcher got five of its six first halffirst downs on one drive in the first quarter.

Lutcher (2-0) will look to extend its winning streak to three games as it travels to Baton Rouge to play Capitol Friday night. The Golden Lions are1-1 after blanking city rival McKinley, 32-0, Friday night.

Like the Bulldogs, the Golden Lions used its defense and running game to key the win. Robert Joseph gained 88 yards and scored on runs of 7, 5 and5 yards. Rico Robinson caught a 76-yard touchdown pass from ByronMcCray and added a 9-yard run. Capitol’s defense held McKinley to 86 totalyards and four first downs.

Joseph had over 650 yards rushing a year ago, helping the Lions advance to the playoffs. McCray is in his first year at quarterback and will look tothrow to split end Brandon Davenport. The line is inexperience with nostarters back from last year.

The defense is the team’s strong point with six starters returning. Amongthose coming back are linebackers Johnny Ray Dumaine and Deondre Perkins, end Allen Rice and defensive backs Denard Duheart and Quentin Ray.

St. James, 1-1 and ranked sixth in the Class 3A poll, plays host toBastrop, ranked third in Class 4A. The Rams (2-0) defeated Fair Park, 40-6, last Friday.

Bastrop finished first in District 1-4A last season with a 10-4 overall record. The Rams also have a strong defense, led by linebackers MarcusYanez and Michael Bailey. LaRon Sylvester, Willie Williams and MarcusWalker lead the line. Offensively, DeNorris Campbell is the quarterback.Kickoff for both games is scheduled for 7 p.m.In week four, Lutcher travels to Walker while St. James heads toAssumption in pre-district action.

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