By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LUTCHER — Last year’s District 6-4A game between Lutcher and St. Michael carried a playoff-like atmosphere with it. Lutcher coach Tim Detillier expects no less this week, as the teams square off again at the Dog Yard.

“The winner of this game controls its destiny,” said Detillier.

Lutcher has yet to taste defeat this season, boasting a 5-0 record with a trio of district victories already. St. Michael, likewise, is an undefeated 2-0 in district while boasting a 5-1 overall record.

Lutcher handed St. Michael its first loss of the 2011 season, 45-7, a game that saw then-senior Daniel Taylor run for four touchdowns.

The Warriors will have payback on their mind. Both teams will be gunning for the inside track to a district championship.

St. Michael is coming off of a 54-8 victory over Belaire, a game in which the Warriors scored 47 first half points. Quarterback Brandon Fields and running back C.J. Okpalobi led the charge for the Warriors.

Detillier said that St. Michael boasts more of a running team this season, with Fields more of a dual threat than last year’s quarterback, Dash Duncan.

“He’s very mobile, very agile,” said Detillier. “Last year, they had Dash Duncan and he’d just stand back there and throw. They’re less of a passing-oriented team and you have to prepare for a few more things, more play-action, more rollouts.”

Detillier said that this year’s St. Michael team is more experienced.

“They’re a senior-laden team. Their linebackers and secondary are all back,” said Detillier.

“Last year, there was a playoff-type atmosphere. And when you’ve got games like this, it usually comes down to who can deal with adversity. We’ll make a mistake, they’ll make a mistake. But who can respond to that, who can shake it off, that’ll determine who has the advantage.”

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Destrehan has alternated wins and losses this season, but one can’t help but think the Wildcats are building momentum.

Both DHS losses were to highly-ranked teams in Karr and Dutchtown; the wins were over another ranked squad in West Jefferson and, last week, a decisive 41-21 victory over L.W. Higgins, a defending co-champions of District 8-5A.

The Wildcats host John Ehret (0-5, 0-1) this week and will try to make it two in a row.

Destrehan (3-2, 1-0) will attempt to avenge its loss last season at the hands of the Patriots, a 26-20 defeat in overtime.

Ehret comes off of a 28-0 loss at East St. John last week. The Patriots are winless, but have played a tough schedule. Ehret has lost to Jesuit, Brother Martin, South Lafourche and West Jefferson.

Ehret’s most dangerous player is running back Darrel Williams. Williams rushed for 81 yards last week and 123 yards a week prior against Jesuit.

The Patriots use him in a number of different ways. Against ESJ, he lined up at quarterback in the Wildcat for most of the night. D’Quan Jenkins is another one of Ehret’s top offensive threats.

Destrehan overcame the loss of quarterback Donovan Isom in the second half to best Higgins. Isom sprained his right ankle and junior Rashaud Joseph finished the game.

Will Matthews earned his first start at tailback for the Wildcats and turned up as the night’s star: he rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns.