By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Lutcher’s Gavin Webster passed for six touchdowns and ran for one more as the Bulldogs punched their ticket to the Superdome on Friday night, downing Cecilia 58-26 in a Class 3A semifinal game at Lutcher.

Lutcher (11-2) will attempt to win its second championship in three years this Friday night as it faces No. 1 seeded Notre Dame in the 3A championship game.

The win over Cecilia (10-3) was Lutcher’s first win in a home semifinal game, after losing on three previous occasions.

“These kids were so determined. There was so much emotion in this building before the game, and it just rolled onto the field,” said Lutcher Coach Tim Detillier. “All week, we spoke about how we never won a semifinal game here. And they refused to be denied.”

After the tremendous career of former LHS quarterback Blaine Gauthier, Webster had large shoes to fill. But the senior has been carving his niche for weeks, and Friday night proved to be his signature game to date. He completed 13-of-17 passes for 247 yards and threw touchdown passes to four different receivers.

“A lot was expected of Gavin. Everyone here has been spoiled because of what Blaine did in his career,” said Detillier. “He just needed time. We all knew he could do it, but I think he expected a little too much from himself. But he’s been playing lights out for weeks, now.”

Webster’s favorite endzone target was Reginald Jackson, who caught three touchdowns in the game. He hauled in four catches total for 47 yards.

Jarvis Landry caught five passes for 100 yards and a score. Landry also rushed five times for 78 yards.

Lutcher jumped all over Cecilia in the first quarter. 26 seconds into the game, Lutcher flashed its trademark big play ability when Webster connected with Landry for a 61-yard score to make it 7-0.l

On Lutcher’s next possession, Webster capped a Bulldogs drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jackson with 7:14 left in the first.

Then the special teams became a factor. Frederick Thomas blocked a Cecilia punt attempt, and a 3-yard Webster touchdown run made it 21-0 with 4:58 left in the first.

Cecilia would claw back into the game, however. Seven seconds into the third quarter, running back Marcus Wiltz ran for a 4-yard touchdown to make it 21-7. Then Wiltz scored again with 5:53 left in the half to cut the lead to one score, 21-14. Wiltz was the greatest source offense for Cecilia, rushing for 223 yards.

“That was them being who they are,” said Detillier. “Cecilia wasn’t going down without a fight.”

But it simply wasn’t Cecilia’s night. It took only 40 seconds for Webster to make another big play with his arm, this time finding Shane Naquin for a 59-yard score to make it 28-14.

The defense would get in on the fun, notching a safety on Cecilia’s next possession to make it 30-14.

It was still a two score game, but Lutcher quickly put things away. With 30 seconds left before halftime, Webster found Jackson in the endzone for the second time of the night to make it 37-0. Then, at the 8:05 mark of the third quarter, Jackson hauled in a 22-yarder to make it 44-14.

Lutcher gained 404 yards of offense, and did not turn the ball over.