By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

As Lutcher quarterback Blaine Gauthier launched himself toward the goalline, those watching at East Ascension held their breath. Not the least of which among them was Bulldogs Coach Tim Detillier.

Before the game, Detillier knew better than anyone not to look past East Ascension. Although Lutcher entered the game as the top-ranked 3A team in the state, East Ascension has had the Bulldogs number over the past few years, keeping Lutcher out of the win column since the start of the decade.

Now, trailing by one in overtime, Detillier had opted to go for it all, sending Gauthier to try to convert a two-point try. But once again, East Ascension proved to be a thorn in Lutcher’s side. Gauthier was brought down at the half-yard line, and the Spartans were 48-47 winners.

&#8220The way the game was going, on the road, I thought we needed to go for the win,” Detillier said. &#8220In the same situation, down the road, I’d absolutely do it again.”

One couldn’t blame Detillier, given how each offense had performed to that point.

East Ascension quarterback Jamal Jackson and Gauthier led each offense in a game of &#8220Top this” all night long. Jackson tallied 174 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, along with 182 yards and three touchdowns in the air. Gauthier was 27-50 for 379 yards and five touchdowns.

Putting the game in Gauthier’s hands, then, seemed like a no-brainer. But the Spartans just seem to always come up big against the Bulldogs.

&#8220For whatever reason, they just have had our number,” Detillier said.

Nobody could cover Jarvis Landry, who was by far Gauthier’s favorite target in the redzone on Friday. Landry scored five touchdowns and caught seven passes for 83 yards. Reginald Jackson caught six passes for 104 yards. Tyrus Harris caught four passes for 96 yards.

Lutcher led 13-0 early on, but east Ascension fought back to a 19-19 tie at halftime.

Gauthier’s pass to Landry early in the third quarter gave the Bulldogs a six point advantage, but Jackson’s electric 7q1 yard run on the ensuing possession saw them take a 27-25 lead after a two-point pass was converted.

Gauthier found Landry again at 4:08 of the third to take a 33-27 lead after a two-point pass.

At 6:34 of the fourth quarter, Jackson converted another big play, finding Lawrence Miles for an 80-yard touchdown to give the Spartans a 34-33 lead.

On the next possession, Gauthier found Landry at 5:13 to make it 41-34.

Jackson’s 28-yard run at 2:17 tied the game at 41.

In overtime, the Spartans led with a Jackson 16-yard pass to Miles to make it 48-41.

Gauthier found Landry for one final time, a 10-yard scoring strike, to bring it to 48-47 before the two-point attempt takes, five turnovers,” Detillier said. &#8220But, give East Ascension credit. We’re moving on.”