By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

 

LUTCHER — Lutcher coach Tim Detillier told anyone who would listen in the preseason a familiar refrain: “I like this team. I like these kids.”

But never in Detillier’s wildest dreams did he expect the regular season that unfolded.

Lutcher defeated Plaquemine 34-7 Friday night in a winner-take-all battle for the District 6-4A championship.

That his Bulldogs (9-0, 7-0) would defend its district crown wasn’t shocking to Detillier; that the win cemented the 2012 Bulldogs as only the fourth Lutcher team to ever finish a regular season undefeated and untied was a bit more surprising.

“I’m so proud of this team, so happy for them,” said Detillier. “I really wanted this for them. We worked them so hard during the summer because we knew we didn’t have the size or numbers of years past, we’d be outmanned … they did all we asked.”

Plaquemine (6-4, 5-1) improbably led after its opening drive; improbably because Lutcher pinned the Green Devils back at their own 1-yard line. But Plaquemine marched on a 99-yard touchdown drive, capping things with a Myron Jack 2-yard scoring run to make it 7-0.

“It didn’t look good. But after that, the Dingos (defense) did their job,” said Detillier.”

Lutcher answered, scoring with three minutes left in the first quarter on a 32-yard touchdown run by Matherne that tied things up, 7-7, which would be the score at halftime.

“I think we only had one play in the entire first half, the touchdown. Credit Plaquemine,” said Detillier. “But it was a tale of two halves.”

And the second half belonged to the Bulldogs, starting with the opening kickoff of the half — Deamphrany Davis broke the tie via a 70-yard return for a score, making it 13-7.

The lead grew to 19-7 later in the period when Matherne and Spencer Roussel connected on a 46-yard touchdown pass.

The Bulldogs capped a 20-point third quarter when Matherne rushed for a 19-yard score, then converted a two-point pass from Matherne to Davis to make it 27-7.

But Lutcher capped it’s scoring with the most explosive play of the night: a 77-yard touchdown pass to Roussel early in the fourth quarter.

Lutcher outgained Plaquemine 351-267. Lutcher overcame a two-to-one time of possession deficit, a 32 minutes to 16 advantage for the Green Devils.

Matherne completed 13-of-19 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns while running 14 times for 53 yards and two scores. Jaquan Williams and Torian Shorty combined to rush for 63 yards on nine carries. Roussel hauled in two receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Claude Wiggins hauled in an interception for the game’s only turnover.

Plaquemine’s Hakeem Deggs had 17 total touches for 100 yards. Jack gained 79 yards on seven carries.