By GEORGE MAHL – Sports Editor

LUTCHER – The Lutcher Bulldogs recently began preparing for the 2004 season.

The mood is upbeat these days because the Bulldogs are coming off the 3A state championship, despite the Bulldogs not having all of their players practicing.

“Due to baseball, track and other things, we did not have everyone,” said Lutcher Head Football Coach Tim Detillier. “For a while, I was playing quarterback because we had no one,” admitted Detillier.

Detillier said the attention level during the Bulldogs practices is higher because of the success the team had last year.

“I attribute that to the fact that we played five extra weeks last year. I am pleased with the work we have put in.”

Two of the key players that will need to be successful if the Bulldogs are going to make another run at a state championship are tight end Osmund Brown and quarterback Dustin Mitchell.

“We will need Osmund to perform on both sides of the ball this year. He will need to step up and replace one of the leaders we lost.”

Like many teams, the Lutcher coaching staff is using this time of year to put different players at different positions to try and create somewhat of a comfort zone.

“If at the end of spring practice we have players in the best possible positions, then I have done my job,” Detiller commented.

“You gotta experiment and play with the pieces you have.”

One of the people that will be relied upon heavily will be quarterback Dustin Mitchell, who is being recruited by numerous schools.

“He really has looked good so far,” Detillier said when referring to Mitchell.

“I was pleased with the way he was throwing the ball.”

Lutcher was scheduled to have a purple and white scrimmage Friday.

Unlike most coaches, Detillier does not cut any players that try out for the team.

“If you can make a committment, then you can be on the team,” Detiller said.

The Bulldogs are scheduled to play Riverside Academy in this year’s River Parish Jamboree and will host rival East St. John in the first week of the season.