Elite reigning state champion Lutcher program ready for life without Winfield

There is no debating the elite nature of Lutcher football in Louisiana. The Bulldogs have won nine state championships, tied for fifth all-time in LHSAA state history.

That totle includes a state championship in the Non-Select Division II classification in 2022 under Lutcher alumnus Dwain Jenkins.

“The day D’Wanye walked across the field for graduation, you knew it was over, at that point,” Jenkins said. “Part of that came with the ring ceremony. It was a good senior class. When spring football hit at the beginning of May, it was time to move on, put it behind us. We got signs and banners up and that is the last of it.”

Jenkins solidified himself in the annuls of the deep gloried history of Lutcher football with the championship last season, his second at his alma mater, having also won a title in 2016.

At St. James, Jenkins took the Wildcats to a title game in 2015 as well.

While there is no question regarding Jenkins being an elite level coach in the state, there is no question that he will be the first to tell you that to be a great coach, you have to have great players.

Last season, Jenkins had perhaps the greatest player in Louisiana in all classifications in quarterback D’Wanye Winfield.

Now at the University of Louisiana (Lafayette), Winfield was the Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club, CrescentCitySports.com, NASH ICON 106.1 FM and CrescentCitySports Prep Player of the Year in 2022 and he earned Most Valuable Player honors in the state championship game, when he rushed 43 times for 130 yards and a touchdown and completed 20 of 32 passes for 299 yards and three scores in a 28-25 victory over North DeSoto.

Winfield shines, Long ties state title game record in Lutcher’s win over North DeSoto

For the season, Winfield was amazing, accounting for 4,657 yards and 70 touchdowns.

Lutcher’s D’Wanye Winfield named GNO Quarterback Club Player of Week

It is hard to imagine anyone meaning more to his team than Winfield did and it is hard to imagine the fact that Winfield did not win the award as the Player of the Year in Louisiana.

“We can talk about everything he was able to accomplish on the field, it was what he did behind the scenes that mattered most,” Jenkins said. “There’s no way to measure those things in touchdowns or wins. He was a great leader. We won’t replace him. To expect one person to do that would asking a whole lot of any young man. What he did was amazing and will carry on for a long time.”

What is not hard to imagine is that Lutcher football will remain good in 2023.

The Bulldogs return 13 starters, though the offense is not particularly experienced.

Lutcher should be solid at wide receiver with junior Dameium Marcell (5-11, 165) and Luke Babin (5-9, 170), a two-sport star, returning. They are joined by junior D’Wayne Winfield (5-9, 160), the brother of D’Wanye, and freshman Ashton Stark (5-9, 150).

“We bring back Marcell, who had 12 touchdowns as a sophomore,” Jenkins said. “He started as a freshman. He can make plays down the field. Babin is an All-State centerfield in baseball and we expect big things from him. D’Wayne can play anywhere and is versatile.”

The running back position is solid with a returning starter in junior Trenton Chaney (5-9, 165).

“Chaney gained a ton of experience last year and had a great season,” Jenkins said. “He rushed for over 200 yards in our second playoff game and had a big kick return against St. Martinville. He is a home-run hitter and a dynamic receiver and he’s had a great spring and summer. We’re expecting big things out of him.”

Up front, Lutcher returns just one starter in senior tackle Terryne Harris (5-10, 240). The new starters are very young, including sophomores Logan Borne (5-11, 245) and Jayden Michael (6-3, 255), along with freshmen Colin Hastings (5-11, 235) and J’haivon Johnson (6-1, 220).

“One thing that made us so different last year was being able to play with two tight ends,” Jenkins said. “That really helped our run game and offensive line. The line last year came in with no experience so we believe this one can grow up in a hurry as well. We have young guys competing. Borne and Michael are stepping up and Harris returns. Rashad Sterling and Colin Rouqes will factor in on offense as well.”

The big question is at quarterback and filling the huge void left by D’Wanye Winfield.

A pair of players will look to get the job done in senior Quinn Smith (6-5, 180), a good baseball player as well, and junior Zach Jenkins (5-10, 165).

“We have two guys competing which will likely continue to be the case going into the season,” Jenkins said. “It may be an instance where both play. Quinn was hurt and missed all of last season but was a big-time pitcher for our baseball team. He’s a big drop-back passer who has a big arm.

“With Quinn hurt, Zach moved from receiver to quarterback and made the most of it and he is staying there. He is a tough, physical inside runner who can make plays. They are different.”

The Lutcher defense will be the strength of the team, with nine starters back.

Up front, the Bulldogs are stout with returning starters in ends Dale Smith and Reshad Sterling, along with tackle Brody Louque. Sophomore Caden Parquette (6-0, 240) is the fourth starter.

“Our defense will be our strength,” Jenkins said. “We have a ton of experience at every level. Our defensive front is our strength. Louque started 12 games last year and he’s back from a sprained MCL. Parquette started after Brody got hurt and he’s solid. Smith started every game and he’s a big-time pass rusher and great against the run. Sterling is exploding on the scene and has offers from Tulane and Vanderbilt.”

The linebacker position is also extremely experienced with three returning starters, including two-sport stars Colin Roques (6-0, 205) and Kai Brown (5-11, 205), along with junior Tariot Snowden (5-8, 175), who also plays baseball. Sophomore Coy Ruiz (5-10, 180) is the fourth starter.

“Roques returns, along with Brown and both are good baseball players,” Jenkins said. “Brown and Roques have started since their freshman year and they are bigger and stronger. Snowden played inside last year and he will play outside this year.

The secondary has a pair of starters back in two-sport star Chaduthaddeus Carter (5-9, 155) and Jamari Taylor (5-9, 150). Two-sport star Brock Louque (5-9, 160 Soph.) is coming off being the Most Valuable Player of the Crescent City Sports Prep Summer Baseball League, won by Lutcher-based Cypress Physical Therapy. Sophomore Derrick Jackson (6-0, 170) completes the back of the defense.

Replay: Walk-off rally lifts Cypress Physical Therapy past River Ridge for CCS Prep Summer League title

“Taylor will play more at corner after playing safety and Carter is a solid returning starter as well,” Jenkins said. “We have two sophomores with bright futures in Jackson, who can be a high-level player. Ruiz will play a lot in the middle for us and he can play up front as well.”

The schedule opens at home with a pair of challenges against 5A Thibodaux and two-time defending state champion St. Charles Catholic. The Comets won an absolute thriller, 21-20 in LaPlace, the only blemish for Lutcher in a 14-1 season.

St. Charles Catholic rallies, holds off Lutcher in 21-20 thriller

As of now, the Bulldogs have a bye in week three before opening District 7-4A play at Vandebilt Catholic. Home games with South Lafourche and South Terrebonne follow before a non-district away game against 5A Hahnville. After returning to district play at home against Assumption, the Bulldogs travel to Morgan City and Ellender.

“Our pre-district schedule, including our jamboree with Destrehan, provides a good tool to gauge where we are,” Jenkins said. “We were able to stand up to them last year. Thibodaux has a new coach. St. Charles Catholic is a great rivalry and it always comes down to the last play.

“Vandebilt will be much improved. South Terrebonne made strides last year. Assumption is physically imposing. The others are worthy. Hahnville is a traditional power and will be better. It’s a schedule that helps us prepare for playoffs.”

If Jenkins can solve the quarterback position, it is easy to envision the Bulldogs winning another district championship and making another deep run in the playoffs. That is the pedigree of Lutcher football.

“I think the expectations are what they are with our program,” Jenkins said. “We know what this program has accomplished. We know the ultimate goal. This will all about how we mature and fill the leadership void. We had the best player last year and were not the most talented team but we came together and found ways to win with good leaders.”

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