By GEORGE MAHL, Sports Editor

DESTREHAN – The Lutcher Bulldogs, defending 3A champions, used a solid defensive effort and more than 100 yards rushing from quarterback Dustin Mitchell to knock off Riverside Academy 20-0 in the Ed Reed River Parishes Jamboree Friday night.

Things got off to an ominous start for the Rebels. They fumbled the opening kickoff and almost allowed a touchdown run by Jeffery Johnson. The run, however, was called back by a holding penalty. Mitchell then threw three straight incompletions, forcing the Bulldogs to punt.

Things got to be a little sluggish for both teams on each of their next possessions. During a Riverside punt, the Rebels Jesse Leblanc recovered a fumble, giving Riverside possession at their own 41-yard line.

However, the Rebels gave it right back to the Bulldogs when Jordan Grant recovered a fumble at their own 45-yard line. The fumble recovery led to the Bulldogs scoring their first touchdown.

A five-play, 45-yard drive ended when Lutcher running back Jeffery Johnson took it in from the six, giving Lutcher a 7-0 lead. The big play on the drive was when Riverside was called for a 15-yard penalty, giving the Bulldogs first and ten at the Rebels 24.

With 8:58 remaining in the first half, Riverside began a drive on their own 40-yard line. Facing fourth and inches from the 50, the Rebels got their first first down of the game when running back Andrew Herring made a one-yard run over the middle. The drive ended when quarterback AJ Delaneuville mi-fired on a third down.

The Bulldogs defense stepped up with about three minutes left in the first half. On third and long, Delaneuville was sacked by defensive end Jamal Lewis, forcing the Rebels to punt.

It was more of the same for the Rebels in the second half. Johnson was responsible for two important plays for the Bulldogs. A 24-yard run by Johnson was followed by a two yard sweep for a touchdown to make the score 13-0.

Following a Riverside punt, Lutcher scored when Mitchell, who ran for 103 yards total, scored on a 73-yard option keeper to make the score 20-0 Lutcher.

Another Riverside fumble gave the Bulldogs good field position at the Riverside 37-yard line. The Bulldogs, however, could not do anything with the ball and ended up punting on fourth down.

The Rebels then marched 30-yards down field, but ended up turning the ball over on downs.

Lutcher will host rival East St. John Friday night, while Riverside will host Destrehan. Both games begin at 7pm.

The Bulldogs defeated Riverside in the 2003 jamboree as well.