MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / December 25, 1999

LAPLACE – It was another memorable season for River Parishes football in 1999. River Parishes MVP Carl Gauthier led West St. John back to thesemifinals for the third straight year. Lutcher, behind Coach of the YearTim Detillier, won its first outright district title since 1983 and went 9- 3 against the toughest schedule in Class 3A. Destrehan captured its fourthconsecutive district title. East St. John, St. James and Riverside alsoadvanced to the postseason.

Carl Gauthier Offensive Most Valuable Player West St. JohnQuarterback

Gauthier was the MVP of the Class 2A state championship game in 1998 and picked right back up on that performance in 1999, helping lead the Rams to a third-straight appearance in the state semifinals.

The senior was the top passer in the area, completing 194 of his 327 attempts (60 percent completion rate) for 2,848 yards (14.7 yards perattempt), 34 touchdowns and 10 two-point conversions. He also rushed for462 yards and seven touchdowns on 83 carries (5.6 yards per carry). Alltold, Gauthier accounted for 3,306 yards and 270 points (41 touchdowns, 12 two-point conversions) for his team in being named the District 9-2A Offensive MVP and to the all-Metro and Class 2A all-State teams.

But what could not be measured by numbers were the intangibles Gauthier brought to the team. He was the team captain as well as compiling a 4.1grade point average in the classroom.

“Carl has great leadership qualities,” West St. John coach Laury Dupontsaid. “He has great instincts for the game. He’s another coach on the field.He understood what it took to win. He was a great player all the way.”Gauthier gave the credit to his teammates for helping him with his achievements.

“I was pleased I got to play with my teammates,” Gauthier said. “Theygave 100 percent all the time. I was grateful I got the opportunity to playfor West St. John.”

Damien Richard Defensive Most Valuable Player Destrehan Defensive Lineman

With the Wildcats having to get used to a new, more wide-open offense, it was up to the defense to step up in the meantime during the 1999 season.

It did just that, playing a major part in Destrehan’s unprecedented fourth straight district title.

One of those stepping up the most during the season was Richard. The 6-0,175-pound senior was all over the field for the Wildcats, recording 82 tackles including 73 solo. Those tackles included eight sacks for 63 yardsin losses and 16 other tackles behind the line for 53 yards in losses. Healso broke up three passes, caused two fumbles and recovered two.

One of those fumble recoveries was one of Destrehan’s biggest plays of the season. In Week 8 against South Lafourche, the Tarpons werethreatening in the first quarter, driving to the Destrehan 2-yard line. ButRichard recovered a fumble at that point and returned it 98 yards for a score, helping the Wildcats clinch at least a tie for the district title with a 14-13 win.

For his accomplishments during the season, Richard was named the District 7-5A Defensive MVP and to the all-Metro and Coaches’ Class 5A all-State teams.

“Damien has been a great player for us,” Destrehan coach Scott Martin said. “We depended on him for senior leadership on defense along withothers. He really developed as a player over the last year. He’s going to bea real player in college.”

Tim Detillier Coach of the Year Lutcher

The toughest schedule in the state in Class 3A. Probably the toughestClass 3A district in the state. A lack of depth at key positions. Those werethe challenges facing the Lutcher Bulldogs in 1999.

The Bulldogs met those challenges head on. Against a schedule thatincluded East St. John and Covington from Class 5A and Capitol (theeventual state runners-up), Vandebilt Catholic, Walker and Assumption from 4A, the Bulldogs finished the regular season at 8-2.

Along the way, Lutcher defeated East St. John and St. James for the firsttime since 1995, winning the District 9-3A title outright for the first time since 1983 with a 4-0 record. The Bulldogs advanced to the regionalplayoffs for the second straight season before falling at Teurlings Catholic.

Leading the charge was coach Detillier. Detillier got the Bulldogs ready toplay every week against the tough schedule and got them to bounce back after each of the losses. But he said the credit for that success should goto his players and his staff.

“I’ve been fortunate,” Detillier said. “They don’t give these awards tocoaches with bad teams. They give them to good teams. This is anotheraward for the team. I give the credit to the kids and the coaches.”We were concerned about depth but we were able to keep the players healthy and that allowed us to have the season we had. The kids loved toplay, they even liked to practice. They just loved to play the game.”

Chuckie Burl East St. JohnRunning Back

Before the season, everybody knew the Wildcats were going to be able to pass the ball with the likes of Floyd Smith, Roy Del Williams and Chris Bush, but the question was whether they would be able to establish a solid rushing game.

Burl quickly provided an answer to that question, carrying the ball 197 times for 1,167 yards and 10 touchdowns. He averaged 5.9 yards per carryand had a long run of 52 yards during the season despite missing two games with an injury in being named all-District 7-5A.

Casey Remondet Riverside Running Back

As Dan Patrick would say on SportsCenter, “You can’t stop Casey Remondet, you can only hope to contain him.”Most defenses could not even find a way to do that. The senior rushed for1,250 yards and 18 touchdowns in 1999, averaging 9.1 yards per carry. Andthat was with missing three games because of an injury. Remondetreceived all-District 9-2A, all-Metro and Class 2A all-State honors for his play.

“He played the game like it was meant to be played, not only on Friday nights but in practice,” Riverside coach Mickey Roussel said. “He had onespeed and that was full.” Damian Ursin Lutcher Running Back

Ursin capped off a solid career with an all-District 9-3A performance in 1999. The senior led the Bulldogs with 635 yards and seven touchdowns on130 attempts, a 4.6 yards per carry average, with a long run of 55 yards.He also caught 10 passes for 120 yards and completed 1-of-3 passes for 29 yards and a touchdown.

Davin Dennis St. JamesWide Receiver

St. James opened up the offense this season and that meant moreopportunities for Dennis. The junior delivered, catching 45 passes for 970yards and 13 touchdowns this season in being named to the all-District 9- 3A team and first team all-state in Class 3A.

Brian Lumar West St. John Wide Receiver

Lumar was the Rams’ go-to receiver this season in an offense filled with outstanding receivers. The senior was named to the all-District 9-2Asquad after catching 67 passes for 1,009 yards (15.1 yards per reception)and 13 touchdowns. His 67 catches led the River Parishes. He also ran 15times for 122 yards and had a combined eight two-point conversions.

Kenneth Johnson Lutcher Wide Receiver

Johnson was one of the best big-play makers in the River Parishes. Thesenior caught 32 passes for 950 yards (29.7 yard average) and ninetouchdowns with a long of 81 yards. He also returned 12 punts for 129yards and six kickoffs for 154 yards in being named to the all-District 9- 3A, all-Metro and all-State teams.

Roy Del Williams East St. JohnWide Receiver

Williams has been rated the top wide receiver prospect in the state and you only had to see him go out on a pattern to see why. The senior was athreat to score on any play and if he dropped a pass, it was a newsworthy event.

In 11 games, Williams caught 61 passes for 1,341 yards and 20 touchdowns. He averaged 22.1 yards per reception with a long of 71 yards.He added a two-point conversion, giving him 122 points on the season. Hewas also the best in the business when it came to blocking downfield. Forhis accomplishments, he was named to the all-District 7-5A and all-Metro teams.

Alvin Bartholomew St. JamesTight End

Bartholomew was St. James’ Mr. Versatility, receving second team all-District 9-3A honors at three positions – tight end, place kicking and linebacker. At tight end, he caught 16 passes for 297 yards and fivetouchdowns and was named all-Metro. As a kicker he made 29 out of 39extra point attempts and all five of his field goals, including the game winner against East St. John. On defense, he had 30 tackles and aninterception.

Clint Becnel St. JamesOffensive Lineman

Becnel was an all-District 9-3A selection after helping the Wildcats gain over 3,700 yards (2,316 rushing, 1,470 passing) in 1999.

Bo Louque Lutcher Offensive Lineman

Louque was named first team all-District 9-3A and all-Metro at guard after helping the Bulldogs run 1,392 yards and pass for 1,941 yards in 1999. Louque was also an honorable mention all-State selection. Coy Miller West St. JohnOffensive Lineman

Miller was a major reason why the Rams were able to gain over 4,000 yards in offense in 1999. He was also an all-District 9-2A selection.

Jeremy Parquet Destrehan Offensive Lineman

Parquet was rated as one of the top offensive linemen in the state going into the season and did nothing to disprove that ranking this season. Thegentle giant earned all-District 7-5A, all-Metro and Coaches Class 5A all- State honors after helping the Wildcats pass for 3,079 yards and rush for another 1,242 yards.

Ernest Ricks East St. JohnOffensive Lineman

A team cannot have a 2,500-yard passer and a 1,000-yard rusher without a major contribution from the offensive line. The Wildcats got that thisseason led by Ricks. The senior received all-District 7-5A honors afterhelping the team reach the regional playoffs for the third straight season.

Joe Trosclair Riverside Offensive Lineman

Riverside’s offensive plan this season could have been give the ball to the backs and let them run behind Trosclair. One of the best linemen in thestate, the senior helped the Rebels rush for over 2,000 yards in being named all-District 7-5A, all-Metro and all-State.

“He’s the best linemen we’ve had,” Roussel said.

Billy Hogan East St. JohnPlace Kicker

Hogan was Mr. Consistency for the Wildcats. The senior connected on all54 of his extra point attempts and seven of his 10 field goal tries with a long of 37 yards. His 75 points were second on the Wildcat squad andearned him all-District 7-5A honors.

Jeremy Lumar West St. JohnKick Returner

Lumar was a threat to score every time he touched the ball whether it be on offense, defense or special teams. On defense, he intercepted sixpasses, bringing one back for a touchdown, and made 23 tackles. He alsoknocked down seven passes. On special teams, he returned two punts and akickoff for scores and added another kickoff return for a touchdown in the Rams’ semifinal game at Iota. He was an all-Metro and all-District 9-2Aselection.

Nick Monica St. Charles CatholicAll-Purpose

Monica did just about everything for the Comets this past season. Thesenior passed for 1,097 yards and seven touchdowns and added another 460 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. He also averaged 10.2 yardsper punt return and 16.3 yards returning kickoffs and was named secondteam return specialist in District 9-3A.

Jemelle Cage Lutcher Defensive Lineman

Cage was one of the most dominating defensive players in the area in 1999. The senior was named the District 9-3A Defensive MVP and to theall-Metro and all-State teams after recording 94 tackles, 72 unassisted, this past season. Among those tackles were 11 sacks and 17 other tacklesbehind the line of scrimmage. And that was coming out of thenoseguard/tackle spot.

Edward Campbell East St. JohnDefensive Lineman

East St. John has had a tradition of producing outstanding defensivelinemen and Campbell continued that line this season. The senior defensiveend finished with 52.5 tackles this year, 45 unassisted and was namedall-District 7-5A.

Sean Delaneuville Riverside Defensive Lineman

Delaneuville was in the backfield as much as a opponent’s running backs in 1999. The junior defensive end recorded 13 sacks among his 70 totaltackles in being named all-District 7-5A and all-Metro.

“He had a nose for the football,” Roussel said. “He was a very smartplayer, always in the right place at the right time.”

Tremaine Nathan West St. JohnDefensive Lineman

Nathan was a major force on the West St. John defense. The all-District 9-2A selection had 100 tackles, 69 unassisted, five quarterback pressures, three sacks, two caused fumbles and three big hits in 1999.

Clarence Weber Lutcher Defensive Lineman

Weber combined with Cage to give the Bulldogs a formidable defensive line. The senior defensive end was named second team all-District 9-3Aafter recoring 78 tackles, 54 solo, three sacks, four tackles behind the line, four fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.

Devon Dabney St. JamesLinebacker

Dabney played on both sides of the ball for the Wildcats and made solid contributions on each end. The all-District 9-3A selection made 76tackles, broke up two passes and pulled down an interception this season.

Eric Donnaud Hahnville Linebacker

Donnaud was an all-District 7-5A selection after helping the Tigers improve from 1-8 to 5-5 this season.

Jason Ferguson Riverside Linebacker

Ferguson has been a starter at the linebacker spot for three years and has kept getting better. He led the team with 95 tackles and recovered threefumbles in being named to the all-District 9-2A and all-Metro squads.

Jamall Johnson Destrehan Linebacker

“Johnson on the tackle” was a common refrain at Destrehan on Friday nights this season. The senior linebacker led the team with 93 tackles, 72of which were solo. He had three sacks for 34 yards for losses and seventackles behind the line for another 18 yards in losses. Johnson alsoreturned three interceptions for 53 yards, returned three fumbles for 29 yards and broke up three passes in earning first-team all-District 7-5A homors.

Tie Reese East St. JohnLinebacker

Reese stepped into the starting role this season and became one of the Wildcats top tacklers. He finished the season with 76 tackles in 10 games,66 of which were unassisted. The all-District 7-5A selection also causedtwo fumbles, recovered two others and blocked a field goal attempt.

Deval Ceasar East St. JohnDefensive Back

Ceasar had a nose for the football, tying Reese with 76 tackles, 66 unassisted. The all-district selection also blocked a punt and a field goaland recovered a fumble.

Danny Krieger Destrehan Defensive Back

Krieger had more interceptions this season than most F-15 pilots. Thesenior defensive back picked off 10 passes, tops in the River Parishes, returning them for 165 yards. Krieger also had 13 tackles, one fumblerecovery and two pass breakups in being named to the all-District 7-5A first team.

Chris Martin St. Charles CatholicDefensive Back

Martin was all over the field for the Comets in 1999. The senior wasnamed first team all-District 9-3A after intercepting seven passes and recording 60 tackles, 35 unassisted.

Bernard Riley Lutcher Defensive Back

Riley was one of the best in the area at “taking it to the house.” Thesenior was named first team all-District 9-3A, all-Metro and all-State after intercepting nine passes, forcing four fumbles and blocking kick. Hereturned four of those for touchdowns. Riley also made 54 solo tackles andassisted on 24 others.

Cedric Vaughn St. JamesDefensive Back

Vaughn was the Wildcats’ ballhawk this past season. The all-District 9-3A first team and all-State honorable mention selection was in on 62 tackles and intercepted eight passes. He also caused two fumbles,recovered another and broke up seven passes.

Kevin Blank St. Charles CatholicPunter

Blank came through his sophomore season for the Comets. He helped theComets in field position, averaging 36.3 yards per punt and had noneblocked in being named all-Metro.

Branden Mason East St. JohnUtility

Mason capped a solid junior season with an outstanding effort in the Wildcats’ final regular season game and first playoff game, both against South Lafourche.

In the season finale, Mason brought back an interception for a touchdown and recovered a fumble deep in Tarpon territory to set up another score. Inthe playoffs, he returned a kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown and sealed the win with an interception at the Wildcat 10-yard line. He finished theseason with 33 tackles, 30 unassisted.

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