Lutcher’s Gauthier effective through air and on ground in 30-9 win over SCC

By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Lutcher quarterback Blaine Gauthier is known for his top-notch arm, the same one that he used to lead the Bulldogs to the 3A state title last season.

This season, he’s also becoming known for his legs. And as fourth ranked Lutcher hosted rival St. Charles in the teams’ 9-3A district opener on Friday night, his worth as a duel threat was more apparent than ever.

Gauthier was 14-21 for 219 yards and two touchdowns, and ran 14 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns as the Bulldogs defeated the Comets, 30-9.

&#8220We were clicking on all cylinders,” Gauthier said. &#8220I really think that we could have done better on a couple of possessions. But it was a heck of a game overall.”

Said Lutcher coach Tim Detillier: &#8220He’s a winner, plain and simple. Some colleges are holding back on pursuing him because of his height, but he just wins games. He has it all. He’s a great kid.”

The game was Lutcher’s first district game in two seasons, after Hurricane Katrina left them without a district to play in.

&#8220We were excited just to have a district game in October,” Detillier said. &#8220I’m just thankful to be in a district. It’s been awhile.”

St. Charles (3-3, 0-1) received a scare with 6:03 remaining in the game, after receiver DeMarcus Bernard went down with a concussion after a collision on a fourth down pass attempt. Bernard was taken from the field via an ambulance after a long delay. All, though, was considered to be precautionary, with Bernard expected to be fine.

&#8220He stood up and was a little dizzy,” said St. Charles coach Frank Monica. &#8220We were taking precautions. The movement in his limbs was fine.”

The game remained scoreless until 3:53 left in the first quarter, when Gauthier found Jarvis Landry for a 67-yard score to make it 6-0 after a failed extra point attempt. The touchdown was Landry’s eighth of the season.

Gauthier broke loose on a scramble for the Bulldogs next score at 9:19 of the second quarter, an 18-yard touchdown run that made it 12-0.

But the Comets defense was allowing nothing to come easy, and Lutcher’s (5-1, 1-0) high-powered attack would not score again until the second half.

&#8220We were hoping to break loose in the first half,” Detillier said. &#8220We were out of sync. For that, give St. Charles credit.”

Jonathan Cancienne, returning after missing the team’s win the previous week over West St. John, cut the lead to 5, 12-7, after he broke loose on for a 13-yard score.

The Comets found themselves within a field-goal after holding Lutcher to a three-and-out deep in their own territory early in the third quarter, as a bad snap on a punt attempt went out of the endzone. It gave the Comets a safety, making the score 12-9.

Late in the third quarter, St. Charles appeared to have Lutcher in another third and long. But an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was called against the Comets, and momentum seemed to shift.

Gauthier took over, making the Comets pay. Time and time again, he found open receivers open over the middle of the field. His favorite target in the second half was tight end Tyrus Harris, who made a number of key grabs to set up touchdowns. Harris caught three passes for 50 yards, all in the second half.

&#8220He’s a very big target. It’s hard to not see #88 over the middle,” Gauthier said.

With 31 seconds left in the quarter, Gauthier capped a long drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Reginald Jackson to make it 18-9.

&#8220That drive was the turning point,” Monica said.

On Lutcher’s next possession, the drive appeared to be a repeat of the previous one. Gauthier capped that one off with a 5-yard scoring run with 9:21 left in the game.

Lutcher also received a boon from eighth grade running back Daniel Taylor, who took over starting duties this week from Todd Muse, who transferred to East St. John. Taylor ran nine times for 89 yards, his biggest run coming in the fourth quarter as he scored on a 47-yard run to cap off the scoring.

Cancienne led St. Charles in rushing with 18 carries for 84 yards. Quarterback Vincent Rollo was 10-17 for 56 yards and an interception.

For Lutcher, Landry caught three passes for 83 yards. Jackson caught four passes for 59 yards.

Monica called the Comets’ offensive effort &#8220sluggish” and said things must improve soon, beginning on the practice field.

&#8220We’re too inconsistent, and that’s due to our team having poor practice habits. It carries over to the games,” Monica said. &#8220Until we are able to change that, we will not be able to progress.”