LUTCHER — Experience and skill at quarterback with Kolby Bourgeois, a focused running attack with chief ball carrier Rondell Mealey and wide receiving threats led by Jacoby Williams make Lutcher High difficult to stop on offense.

On defense, Bulldogs coaches said they were banking on 10 returning starters to anchor an experienced group. The players delivered with their best performance of 2018 coming last Friday.

Lutcher is 3-2 (the Bulldogs won four games in 2017) and coming off an excellent 34-6 road win at Dutchtown.

The defense pitched a shutout — the only touchdown coming on a length-of-the-field interception return for a touchdown.

Third-year head coach Dwaine Jenkins joked with a reporter after the game that he owed his defensive coordinator a meal of his choosing for the players’ superb execution.

Coming off an 1,800-yard, 22-touchdown junior season, Bourgeois has continued to grow from behind center as a senior.

He is completing nearly 60 percent of his passes in 2018 for 1,045 yards and 15 touchdowns.

In five games, Bourgeois has only thrown two interceptions.

“It always gives you some optimism when you’re able to return your quarterback,” Jenkins said.

“After starting 11 games last year, hopefully Kolby can continue to be a catalyst.”

Defenses can’t focus on Bourgeois; though, due to the emerging ground game of Mealey, who totaled three touchdowns last week against three-win Dutchtown to add to his eight score total for the year.

Mealey moved from receiver to primary ball carrier this season, building a stronger team offense in the process.

He didn’t leave the wideout position bare, as Williams has close to 400 receiving yards and three scores.

On Friday, the Lutcher defense held its opponent to 162 yards of total offense, a great performance for coaches who are enjoying a group that has led the Bulldogs to three straight wins.

Defensive back Ivan Clark and hybrid linebacker Chris Burkhalter lead LHS in tackles with each totaling more than 50 halfway through the season.

Defensive back Zane McCrary and outside rusher Seth LeBlanc have been equally as effective.

Next up for the Bulldogs is a possible revenge game Parkview Baptist and a longer look down the line to a better performance in the regular season finale against Plaquemine.