Wildcats rule the Bulldogs’ pound another year

Published 8:17 am Saturday, October 24, 2020

LUTCHER — The longstanding rivalry between the St. James Wildcats and the Lutcher Bulldogs culminated in what was without a doubt a high-strung game Friday night. The game ended in a close 17-14 win for the Wildcats. 

St. James, having recently lost to Destrehan who ended their 16-game winning streak, came into the game with a 3-1 record and steam from last week’s win over Assumption. Lutcher came into the game with a loss this season as well and was looking for some redemption from last year’s loss to St. James.

The first quarter proved to be a defensive battle with both teams holding scores to zero until about four minutes in. St. James’ Kaden Williams made a break for a touchdown, but it was called back due to a holding flag on the Wildcats offense. The Wildcats kicked a field goal to make the score 3-0 over Lutcher with 3:56 in the first quarter. 

The score stayed 3-0 in favor of the Wildcats until the end of the first quarter. A Bulldogs flag set up the Wildcats for a touchdown to make the score 10-0 midway the second quarter. Lutcher’s Rasuan Storks answered back, making a Bulldogs touchdown with 1:11 left to the half, and the score would remain 10-7 to end the first half.

A St James fumble would give Lutcher a big play and an advantage, putting them in great field position. Unfortunately, as emotions got involved, the game took a turn with both teams taking unsportsmanlike conduct flags. The Bulldogs took advantage of that opportunity and advanced the ball to about the 10-yard line.

The Bulldogs then fumbled the ball on a play, but recovered it which gave them a new set of downs and another chance to score. The Bulldogs would take lead with a leap over the pile by D’wanye’ Winfield at the goal line for the touchdown and an extra point kick to make the score 14-0 with 4:10 left in the third quarter.

As the fourth quarter began the defensive lines also showed more of their strength as both teams made key stops. The Wildcats took the lead late in the fourth quarter as Marquell Bergeron passed Jonathan Wilson in the end zone with 1:58 left in the game to make the score 16-14. Add in the extra point and the Wildcats were back on top with a score of 17-14. 

The Bulldogs came back and passed up the field to Noah Detillier, who advanced the ball over the 50-yard line into Bulldogs’ own territory. The Wildcats defense made big stops on the plays, but the Bulldogs managed to get the ball within field goal range and took a chance to tie with seven seconds left. 

Noah Detillier kicked the field goal, but the kick was no good and the St. James Wildcats took the win 17-14 over the Lutcher Bulldogs. 

There were many outstanding plays by Lutcher’s D’wanye’ Winfield and Rasuan Storks for the Bulldogs offense, as well as Ty Cooper and Carter Poche on the defensive end.

St. James had some great offensive standouts as well from Marquell Bergeron, Kaden Williams and Daniel Jupiter and Savion Jones contributing on the defensive end. Both teams played and excellent game and fought hard to the very end. There was no lack of excitement from any team, and this was truly the game of the week!