By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LUTCHER — It’s easy to conclude that Lutcher is one of the state’s hottest teams, the Bulldogs on a 10-game winning streak as they prepare for their regional round playoff game this Friday.

But the Bulldogs are traveling to face a team that’s on a pretty good run in its own right. But one thing is for certain: the Charging Indians are no secret to Lutcher coach Tim Detillier.

“Everyone points to ourselves and Neville as the only teams that have won 10 in a row in 4A, but Washington-Marion is one of the hottest teams in the field,” said Detillier.

Marion (8-3) started 2-3 this season, the third loss coming at midseason. It trailed St. Louis 21-0 before inserting middle linebacker Melvin Jones in at quarterback. Marion rallied behind Jones, only to lose 31-21.

“But since then, noone has come close,” said Detillier.

At 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, Jones is an imposing runner, and indeed no team has solved him thus far. Marion has won each of its last five games by two touchdowns or more, scoring no less than 34 in any. Most recently, it downed Plaquemine, 35-8, in the bi-district round. Lutcher (10-1) defeated Plaquemine by an almost identical score, 34-8, in the final week of the regular season to win District 6-4A.

“He’s such a load,” said Detillier. “They’ve rushed for over 200 yards every game. Nobody has stopped him. They’ve got good skill guys around him. And their strength is really on defense.”

The Bulldogs look to avoid its fate of a year ago, when it was upset in this round by Teurlings Catholic.

Jones ran for 125 yards and two scores in Marion’s win over Plaquemine. The No. 19 seed Indians also got a big lift from tailback Osha Jackson, who ran for 107 yards.

Lutcher, meanwhile, rolled to a 48-6 win over the Benton Tigers in the bi-district round behind big days from Ruston Matherne and Daniel Taylor.

Matherne completed 20 of 24 passes for 278 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for 86 yards and a score.

Taylor, meanwhile, scored four times, two through the air and two on the ground. He piled up 270 yards of total offense on 18 touches. Taylor topped 100 yards rushing (161) and receiving (109).

Dorian Semien hauled in four passes for 95 yards. He and Sully Martin each caught touchdown passes.

Dat Turks led Benton, rushing 22 times for 106 yards.

Lutcher scored four second half touchdowns, three in the fourth quarter.

Matherne’s 40-yard scoring run late in the first half gave LHS a 21-6 lead. The Bulldogs never looked back.

“I can’t say enough about my quarterback,” said Detillier. “The last couple of weeks, he’s just had total command of our offense. He’s taking a big step.”