By Jeff Barrois
Contributing Writer

LUTCHER – The Lutcher Bulldogs saw a 17 point lead go up in smoke along with their hopes of a third consecutive outright district title Friday night, losing to Plaquemine 36-32.
Lutcher Quarterback Christian Matherne threw two touchdowns in the first half, and running back Dondre Semian had two touchdowns of his own as the Bulldogs took a 25-15 lead into halftime.
Plaquemine was kept in the game by workhorse running back Julius Maracalin who rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns in the first half.
The good times seemed to keep coming for Lutcher after blocking a punt was recovering the ball inside the Plaquemine 20. 2 plays later, Matherne rushed for a 13 yard touchdown to put the Bulldogs up 32-15. Lutcher seemed to have all of the momentum.
After the next Plaquemine drive led to a punt, Lutcher freshman quarterback Jontre Kirklin fumbled the snap from center, and Plaquemine’s Lewis Connerly at the Bulldog 35. That led to a Demoria Wicks touchdown, and a failed Austin LeJeune extra point brought the Green Devils to within 11.
On the ensuing drive Dondre Semien fumbled and Plaquemine’s Brian Jordan recovered which led to a Wicks touchdown pass to Connerly, and after a Maracalin two-point conversion the Bulldog lead was cut to 3.
The next Bulldog drive was riddled with penalties and led to a punt that led to Plaquemine taking over at the Bulldog 43 yard line, and Julius Maracalin scored on a 42 yard touchdown run two plays later to give the Green Devils a 36-32 lead that they would not relinquish.
“The only way they can get back in the game is if we let them, and we them back in,” said coach Tim Detillier after the loss. “They fought hard and didn’t quit, but we let them back in.”
The Bulldogs turned the ball over four times in the second half.
Plaquemine running back Julius Maracalin rushed for a 192 yards and 3 touchdowns on 36 carries. The Plaquemine defense showed up in force while powerhouse holding Lutcher to a single touchdown in the second half and forcing 4 turnovers.
“We could have easily have thrown the game in the tank, but we fought hard, got a couple turnovers, and it was a total team effort,” said a victorious Plaquemine Coach Paul Distefano, after the game.
The 6-2 (2-0) Green Devils look to be in position to take the district title as they host rival St. Michael the Archangel next week then travel to Tara to finish out the season.
The Bulldogs drop to 3-5 (2-1) on the season and will host district foe Belaire (3-5) next week then face Miller-McCoy to close the regular season.