Michael’s opening kick return kickstarts Bulldog attack; Gauthier accounts for four TDs

By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

As Lutcher’s Marche Michael rocketed toward the endzone on the opening kickoff of the Bulldogs’ regional round clash with St. Charles, the crowd at the Dog Yard erupted for a big play.

It would not be the last time.

Michael’s 96-yard return put Lutcher up 6-0, and would be the first of five scoring plays of over 30 yards. It all added up to a 55-17 Bulldogs victory over their District 9-3A rivals, and with it a ticket to the Class 3A quarterfinals, where it will face Redemptorist.

“The last time we played, I felt we had a lull in the middle of the game,” said Lutcher Coach Tim Detillier. “This time we emphasized all week that no matter what, we wouldn’t let up, that we’d keep the pressure on. If it turns into a scoring derby, we like our chances.”

Michael’s kickoff return set the tone for the night, as Lutcher (10-1) seized the big play early and often.

“My job was to get the game started,” said Michael. “I was feeling it at the beginning. This is crunch time. I got to do what I’ve got to do to help this team, and that got everyone up.”

For St. Charles (8-4), the season-ending loss ended what was a five game winning streak in familiar fashion – the Comets last loss came on October 5th at Lutcher.

“We came in knowing that we couldn’t give up the big play,” said St. Charles Coach Frank Monica. “We couldn’t stop it. They’ve very explosive and they have lots of speed. It’s going to take a heck of a team to beat them this year.”

As wide as the final margin was, the first half showcased a great deal of back and forth action. St. Charles answered the opening kick return with a touchdown of its own after a 10 play, 41-yard drive. Corey Reed returned the kickoff to the Lutcher 41 yard line. All plays on the drive were runs, and a Jonathan Cancienne 16-yard dash set up a first-and-goal from the three yard line. Lutcher held its ground to set up a fourth-and-one, and Comets quarterback Vincent Rollo scored after a playfake and bootleg. The Christopher Ilski extra point made it 7-6 with 5:53 remaining in the first quarter.

But Lutcher quickly responded. Faced with a third-and-five and the prospect of a three and out on the ensuing possession, Bulldogs’ quarterback Blaine Gauthier evaded heavy Comet pressure in the backfield and found a wide open Michael downfield for a 75-yard touchdown, making it 12-7 after a missed conversion attempt at the 4:50 mark of the first quarter.

“We practiced that all week,” said Michael. “The coaches told me to not stop running. I made my move and got free. I just thank Blaine for the throw, because without that there was no play to make.”

(See BULLDOGS, Page 11A)

(See BULLDOGS, Page 11A)

The action momentarily quieted down until there was 4:24 left in the second quarter, when Lutcher scored in seven plays after a 47-yard Gauthier to Reginald Jackson touchdown pass made it 18-7. Gauthier converted a two-point pass to Shane Naquin to make it 20-7.

On the next possession with the Comets facing a fourth-and-two, Monica elected to call a fake punt to try and jump-start his team. It worked – Naquin, the punter, took the snap and scrambled for 26 yards. A late hit would set St. Charles up on the Lutcher 20 yard line, and two plays later Rollo found Donovan Duffy for a 20-yard score to make it 20-14 at the 1:47 mark of the first half.

Lutcher marched right down the field and answered. Gauthier completed a 17-yard pass to Naquin and a 30-yarder to Michael, setting up his own 12-yard touchdown run with 33 seconds left in the half. It made it 28-14 after another two point conversion from Gauthier to Naquin.

A 31-yard Rollo pass to T.J. Landry before halftime set up a 42-yard Ilski kick, which he made to make it 28-17 at halftime.

“That first half was kind of like a heavyweight fight,” said Detillier. “We went toe-to-toe and traded our best shots. It’s what you expect from St. Charles and Lutcher.”

Lutcher began to run away in the second half, though. Gavin Webster intercepted a pressured Rollo on St. Charles’s opening possession of the second half. Daniel Taylor capped off a seven play, 47-yard Lutcher drive with a 5-yard score, making it 35-17 with 7:58 left in the third.

The Bulldog defense held, and Gauthier again found a deep receiver on the next drive, as Jarvis Landry hauled in a 34-yard score with 5:06 left in the third to make it 42-17.

Finally, with 2:28 left in the third, after a Comets three-and-out, Daniel Taylor took a handoff off tackle and sped 59-yards for a touchdown to make it 49-17, effectively ending the Comet threat.

“We can build from this,” said Monica. “Right now, we’re just not in their league. They knocked us around up front.”

Gauthier finished 9-for-15 for 257 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 35 yards and another score. Taylor rushed 11 times for 119 yards and three touchdowns. Michael caught three passes for 133 yards and a score.

For St. Charles, Rollo was 7-for-16 for 80 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Cancienne rushed 16 times for 40 yards.