By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LUTCHER — After a slow offensive start to the season against Dutchtown, Lutcher has blistered the scoreboard to the tune of 100 points over the last two games, including a 42-28 win over Hahnville on Friday night.

It’s a familiar sight to Bulldog fans who have been used to the video game-esque numbers posted over the last few seasons. And if last season’s game was any indication at all, more points are on the way this Friday as Lutcher clashes with Warren Easton.

The Bulldogs (2-1) toppled the Eagles 69-37 last season in a wild game that LHS coach Tim Detillier said didn’t allow him to rest easy until his team crossed the 60-point mark.

He’s not resting easy these days, either.

“We’ll have our hands full,” Detillier said. “Their defense is vastly improved. Seeing them play St. Augustine, they gave them everything they wanted for awhile.”

Warren Easton began the season 2-0 against South Lafourche and McMain before falling to the Purple Knights, 46-19, on Friday.

Detillier doesn’t foresee many surprises with the Eagle gameplan.

“They’re going to come in, try to control the ball and keep our offense off the field,” said Detillier. “We can’t allow it to happen.”

He notes Warren Easton has a stout defensive front that could present problems. Lutcher boasts numerous weapons to keep that front off balance though, including tailback Daniel Taylor, who needs just 20 yards to break the school’s all-time rushing record.

“It goes to show, people think we just throw the ball every down from the spread. But it’s a great way to run the ball, too,” said Detillier. “Daniel Taylor would run for a lot of yards in any offense. But this offense really allows him to flourish. Having a player break our all-time rushing record as just a junior shows how balanced we’ve been.”

Lutcher’s defense and special teams also stepped up against Hahnville, highlighted by Jordan Batiste’s 42-yard punt return and Jarvis Landry’s 78-yard fumble return.

ST. JAMES LOOKS TO SLOW PATTERSON — St. James has already faced a litany of tough foes this season. A Patterson team led by stud tailback Kenny Hilliard won’t damage that curve.

The Wildcats are still searching for their first victory after falling to East St. John on Friday night, 35-12.

Class 3A No. 9 Patterson, meanwhile, is hoping to even its record out at 2-2 after starting the year 0-2 with losses to East St. John and Redemptorist.

But the Lumberjacks bounced back with a lopsided 42-14 win over fellow Class 3A foe Cecilia behind a dominant effort from Hilliard. The running back rushed for 254 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries. He gained 93 yards of that in the first quarter alone, scoring twice.

St. James played East St. John tough for a half, at one point trailing 14-12 in the second quarter after a Junius Champagne touchdown run.

Kenneth Armant made the night’s longest scoring play, taking a handoff the distance from 77-yards out for the Wildcats.

But stopping ESJ quarterback Darion Monroe proved difficult. While St. James was able to limit star receiver D’haquille Williams more than most, Monroe rushed for 97 yards and three touchdowns.

St. James coach Rick Gaille said he sees progress from his team, but there are areas it must work on if it is to break through for its first victory.

“We’re starting to learn how to play”, he said. “The effort level is better on the field and on the sideline. But we have to develop a method of not getting discouraged. In the second half, especially defensively, I thought we got discouraged”.

The Wildcats fell twice to Patterson last season, including a 48-22 regional playoff loss.