By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

In one instant, Lutcher’s bid to repeat as state champion for the first time in school history looked as healthy as ever. In the next, it was gone.

With 4:58 remaining in play, and the Bulldogs trailing host Redemptorist 21-14 in the Class 3A quarterfinals, Lutcher’s Blaine Gauthier found Jarvis Landry for an apparent game-tying touchdown. But a holding penalty nullified the play.

On the very next play, Redemptorist’s Bert White intercepted Gauthier’s bid for the endzone, and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown, making it 28-14. Redemptorist scored once more to finalize a 35-14 victory, eliminating Lutcher from the playoffs.

“We made mistakes, they took advantage,” said Lutcher Coach Tim Detillier. “We moved the ball too well to have only scored 14 points all night.”

Redemptorist advances to face Parkview Baptist in the state semifinals.

Lutcher’s last gasp came up short on the Bulldogs’ next possession after the interception, ending with a lost fumble at the Wolves’ 20-yard line.

Lutcher (10-2) outgained Redemptorist (12-1) on the night, 458-267, and led 14-0 in the first half. But four turnovers proved critical for the Bulldogs, and kept the offense from putting more pressure on the Wolves.

“We didn’t make plays when we needed to make them,” said Detillier. “It always boils down to that.”

Redemptorist also cashed in on a number of big plays, scoring on four plays of 40 yards or more.

Gauthier finished his career at Lutcher by going 30-for-59 for 332 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions. Gauthier also ran for 80 yards and a touchdown.

Tyrus Harris caught five passes for 85 yards. Marche Michael had six catches for 71 yards.

Lutcher opened up the scoring when Gauthier ran for a 1-yard touchdown in the first quarter. The Bulldogs’ point-after kick was blocked, and the score was 6-0 after one quarter.

Gauthier found Frederick Thomas for the Bulldog’s second touchdown of the game, this time from 16-yards away. After a two-point conversion pass from Jarvis Landry to Michael, it was 14-0.

But Redemptorist stuck back on the ensuing kickoff, as Jonathan Green returned it 91-yards for a score to make it 14-7 before halftime.

Green would score his second of three touchdowns on Redemptorist’s first possession of the second half, a 40-yard run down the sideline that tied the game at 14.

One of Lutcher’s costly turnovers resulted in a lead for Redemptorist shortly after. Lutcher fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Redemptorist recovered on the Bulldogs’ 6. Green ran it in on the very next play, and Redemptorist led 21-14.

White’s interception return and a 62-yard touchdown run by Redemptorist quarterback Travis Roy capped the scoring in the game.

“We had a tremendous season, we overachieved in my eyes,” said Detillier. “But sometimes, when you get so close that you can taste it, it’s hard to see it end.”