By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LUTCHER — The rundown of All-State players after each season typically has an infusion of Lutcher talent within, and this season is no exception.

Three Bulldogs made the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Class 4A squad: seniors Dane George and Daniel Taylor on offense, and senior Jordan Batiste on defense. The trio helped lead LHS to a 12-2 record and a trip to the state semifinals.

“It’s a good culmination of their careers,” said Lutcher coach Tim Detillier. “Any senior class that wins 47 games, about 12 a season … not too many can say that.”

Taylor set Lutcher’s all-time rushing record as a junior last season and spent 2011 adding plenty to that total. Over 14 games, he rushed for 2,086 yards and 22 touchdowns on an eye-popping 9.1 yards an attempt. Taylor also caught 27 balls for 363 yards and three more touchdowns.

“He’s one of the best backs ever at Lutcher. For such a small guy, he made a lot of really big plays,” said Detillier, alluding to Taylor’s 5-foot-9, 175 pound stature. “I think he’d be good in any offense. The thing I’ll always remember about Daniel is that when he got into the open field, noone would catch him. His stride … he just had another gear.

“A defender could have an angle on him. Often it didn’t matter.”

George helped pave the way. 5-foot-10 and 275 pounds, his greatest strength, as Detillier puts it, is his strength. George played guard for much of the season before shifting over to center and helped the Bulldogs rush for 3,613 yards on 6.7 yards a carry and 43 touchdowns.

“I always say that people like to think pass when you bring up the spread, but it’s a great formation to run out of,” said Detillier. “And that was certainly the case this season … Dane was our most consistent offensive lineman and our strongest. He uses his body extremely well. You never knew how strong he was until you played against him.”

Batiste was a playmaker on defense and in the kicking game. He led the team in tackles with 110 total and in interceptions with four. He also had two sacks and averaged 20 yards per kickoff return.

“He just has tremendous instincts for the ball, the type of thing you can’t coach” said Detillier. “He was a playmaker for us. When we most needed it, he always seemed to come up with an interception, a deflection, a big stop.”