By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LUTCHER – Emotions will be high on Friday at the Dog Yard.

The District 8-4A championship will for all intents and purposes be on the line as Vandebilt Catholic (6-1, 3-0) visits defending district crown-wearer Lutcher (7-1, 3-0).

The Terriers have dealt with tragedy this season under Laury Dupont, the former West St. John head coach who is now in his second year with Vandebilt. In late September, four VCHS students passed away in a car accident, including two football players – starting quarterback T.J. Cantrelle and starting safety Ian Haydel.

It’s seemingly brought the Terrier team closer together. Vandebilt has won seven straight games, including five since the tragedy. They’ve won all three district games in convincing fashion.

“It’s galvanized them,” said Lutcher coach Tim Detillier. “We beat them in this spot last year. I don’t know if we’re better, but I know they are. Their team speed is better across the board. They’re spurred on by their emotion. You have to respect what they’re doing.”

Detillier said that before the game there will be a presentation and acknowledgement of the memory of the VCHS students that passed on.

“Some things are bigger than football,” said Detillier.

But once the game starts, Detillier expects a knock down, drag out battle. He sees a Terrier team in its second year under Dupont (“In the second and third years with a different program, everything becomes so much easier,” said Detillier.) and knows it will be after the title that eluded them a year ago.

He also sees his own group, a group not willing to give up the crown.

“I hear a lot of people say that the district championship doesn’t mean as much anymore, and I couldn’t disagree more,” said Detillier. “Power points give more weight to pre-district, but it doesn’t lessen the importance of district. If it’s not important, then I’m not sure why I’m seeing all those district championship shirts and hats when I’m out and about.

“District is still district. Who doesn’t have that goal, to be the best? It’s the American way: everyone wants to be number one.”

Vandebilt defeated Morgan City 54-14 on Friday. Lutcher knocked off Ellender, 67-12.

ST. JAMES TRIES TO MAKE IT FOUR-FOR-FOUR – St. James clinched a share of the District 8-3A championship on Friday, taking a 40-13 victory over Port Allen. With a win at Plaquemine this Friday night, the Wildcats can win the crown outright.

Once again, the Wildcats offense soared high, scoring 40 points after two outings of 53 and 28 points. But it was special teams play that got the ball rolling as the Wildcats’ Roman Broden blocked a punt for a score, then Kenneth Armant returned a punt 90-yards to give St. James (3-5, 3-0) a comfortable first half lead.

Armant scored four times on the night, including three fourth quarter rushing touchdowns.

He rushed for 77 yards on seven carries. Shaquille Narcisse passed just four times but completed three for 49 yards and two touchdowns. Larohn Cambre rushed 15 times for 100 yards.

Plaquemine (4-4, 1-1) comes off of a victory of its own, defeating Brusly 52-41 on Friday. The Green Devils boast a very explosive offense, averaging 33.5 points per game.