By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LUTCHER — Tim Detillier knows that he and his team are walking into a hornets’ nest on Friday.

The Lutcher coach and his Bulldogs (5-1, 3-0) are preparing to hit the road to square off with fellow district leader St. Michael (6-0, 3-0) in a matchup of two of the three remaining undefeated team within District 6-4A.

“It’s our biggest game so far,” said Detillier. “It’s a game that could end up deciding a district championship. Now, Plaquemines is also undefeated and will have something to say about that, and it’s a bit early to consider anything a district championship. But when we look back, this one might have had those kind of implications.”

For the Warriors and their supporters, the game is being touted in those kinds of terms.

“From what I understand, they’re referring to it as the biggest game in the history of the school,” said Detillier. “They’ve never been undefeated this far into a season. It’ll be a playoff-like atmosphere. We do travel well and we’ve played in these types of games before.”

St. Michael finished 7-4 last season, 5-2 in district play. Quarterback Dash Duncan captains a prolific offense after passing for 3,454 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2010. That unit is scoring at a clip of 38.1 points per game this season. Receivers Brandon Fields and C.J. Okpalobi, running back J.T. Mauldin, defensive tackle Stephen Scardina and corner back Peyton Drago (six interceptions this season) are among their top players.

Detillier said one test will be how his team responds to playing on the road; it hasn’t done so since the opening week at Dutchtown, a week after a trip to Destrehan for a jamboree. LHS lost on both occasions.

“So that’s a challenge we’re looking forward to,” said Detillier.

Lutcher defeated Istrouma (0-6, 0-3) with ease last week, winning 56-6 in a district contest at LHS. It led 42-7 at halftime.

Taylor finished with 117 rushing yards on just five carries. He added 41 yards on two receptions. Poche added a rushing score and Sully Martin caught the last of Matherne’s three touchdown passes.

Lutcher recovered four of Istrouma’s six fumbles, while committing two turnovers of its own. It outgained the Indians 283-96.

JOHN EHRET AT DESTREHAN — After falling just short in an overtime loss to district foe Higgins, Destrehan (2-4, 0-1) turns its attention to visiting John Ehret as the Wildcats look to even their District 8-5A record.

Ehret (0-6, 0-1) conversely is seeking its first win, and a bounce back performance after a decisive loss at home to East St. John in which it picked up just one first down in the first three quarters.

The Patriots are led by quarterback/wide receiver Mike Alexander and running back Trey Martin.

Destrehan’s offense has flowed through Kevin Smith, especially in the last two weeks after receiver and LSU commitment Rickey Jefferson suffered a knee injury two weeks ago against Karr. Smith scored all three Wildcat touchdowns against Higgins, including an 87-yard kickoff return score and a late 2-yard run that forced overtime.

Higgins quarterback Cedric Jackson overcame a rash of fumbles to lead his team to the win, scoring the game-winner in overtime on an 11-yard run after a Destrehan field goal attempt hit the crossbar on its overtime possession.

ST. JAMES AT BRUSLY — St. James (0-6, 0-1) suffered a difficult district opening loss last week, as Port Allen rallied from two touchdown down to remain undefeated behind a 26-21 win at St. James. Now, the Wildcats’ backs are truly against the wall, and will visit Brusly in desperate need of a victory.

The snakebitten Wildcats have battled injuries all season but saw a number of starters return Friday. They fought hard, building a 21-7 lead and forcing four first half turnovers by the Pelicans. It took a 7-0 lead on a 31-yard pass from D’kwan Sandolph to Shaquille Narcisse in the second quarter (Narcisse, the team’s starting quarterback, saw limited time there due to a lingering injury).

SJH broke a 7-7 tie late in the first half, on a 72-yard LaRohn Cambre run and a short Sandolph run.

But Port Allen quarterback Darion Claiborne rushed for three second half touchdowns, including a 29-yarder for the win midway through the fourth.

Brusly (4-2, 1-0) should provide another strong foe for a Wildcats’ team that has faced nothing but: The Panthers have lost just two games, both close to ranked teams (30-27 to Riverside, and 26-20 to Loranger). Brusly is led by explosive quarterback Jay Christophe.