Football Preview: Lutcher seeks to regain championship form

It represents one of the deepest and most successful traditions in Louisiana high school football.

It is also possesses one of the deepest and most passionate fan bases in Louisiana high school football.

Such is the nature of Lutcher football, winner of eight state championships, tied for eighth most in state history.

The Bulldogs last won a state championship in 2016, the first year for Dwain Jenkins on the job.

Jenkins returned to Lutcher to take over as head coach in 2016 after serving as offensive coordinator to Tim Detillier with the Bulldogs from 2006-2012. Jenkins then went to St. James, where he guided the Wildcats to a state title game appearance in 2015, ironically, losing to Detillier and Lutcher.

Now, Jenkins is seeking to return Lutcher to its former glory.

Lutcher made the playoffs a year ago, reaching the second round and taking No. 1 seed Jennings to the final second of a 50-49 loss.

“I thought we continued to improve last year,” Jenkins said. “It was a different season for everyone. We transitioned from a team so reliant on receivers and making big plays to the running game 90 percent of the time and running the ball. It was just different. It was what we thought gave us the best chance to win. We scored enough to beat Jennings. They made one more play at the end.”

There are a host of starters returning for Lutcher in 2021, with 15 starters returning, including eight on offense and seven on defense.

That includes junior quarterback D’Wanye Winfield (6-2, 215), who has a solid backup in sophomore Quinn Smith (6-2, 180) to run the spread attack. Jenkins feels Winfield, who is now getting recruiting attention, is special.

“Winfield is our starter,” Jenkins said. “We made the move with him in the offseason last year. The limitations last year limited his development in the passing game. This spring and summer, he has developed as a passer to compliment his running ability. He’s a guy who had over 2,000 yards of offense and scored 28 touchdowns last year. That pales in comparison in what he does for our program off the field as a leader.”

Perhaps the strength of the offense lies up front, where all five starters return, including four seniors and a junior. The starters average 287 pounds.

The seniors are guard Donovan Arbuthnot (6-2, 300), center Brandon Boudwin (5-10, 265), guard Jayden Dumas (5-9, 300) and tackle Donald Fleming (6-0, 295) while the junior is tackle Semaj Scott (6-4, 275). Scott is a Nicholls State commitment.

“This is a different group and a different senior class,” Jenkins said. “We knew they would be a big group and physical. We have all five starters back and we averaged just under 400 yards rushing per game. This will be a huge strength. He’ll be the first offensive lineman in 15-20 years to sign from Lutcher. Fleming is a four-year starter and leader with character. Boudwin started as a sophomore. He is strong and smart.”

At wide receiver, senior Noah Detillier (5-10, 175) and junior Carson LeBlanc (5-11, 165) are back as starters and will be joined by senior Demond Williams (5-9, 165) and junior Clayton Jenkins (6-2, 200).

“Detillier and LeBlanc started last year,” Jenkins said. “They have played a lot of football. We think Noah has a chance to have a special senior year. He is a great athlete who missed his entire sophomore year. He came back and had a good junior season. Carson played last year and he has grown three inches and gotten bigger.”

The tight end is junior Gavin Gill (6-0, 200).

“It is the first time in 15 years or so that we’ve had a true tight end,” Jenkins said. “He can line up inside and block and he is athletic enough to split out and make big plays in the passing game. He is a very good player.”

The running backs are junior Cleveland Parquette (5-8, 215) and senior Roy Forrest (5-5, 195).

“Parquette, we feel, can get it done for us,” Jenkins said. “He has a chance to be a real dynamic player after being hurt right after the season started with a broken rib and missed the rest of the season. He is big, strong and fast. Roy is shorter but he is strong and a good athlete. Both can catch the ball. Both can run downhill well and run behind their pads well.”

Much like on offense, the strength of the defense is the defensive line, with all four starters returning.

Senior tackles Dorrian Williams (6-0, 225) and Todd Cooper (5-10, 255) return, along with sophomore tackle Colin Roques (6-0, 230) while senior defensive end Carter Poche (5-10, 230) is back as well. Senior Mehki Love (5-10, 255) provides needed depth.

“Just like offense, we have a senior-laden group,” Jenkins said. “Poche is a four-year starter. Cooper is a multi-year starter but he is recovering from injury. Williams started games as a sophomore and played last year. He has worked hard and will get snaps. Love has played some and he has taken advantage of opportunities. Roques burst on the scene last year as a freshman. He is big and athletic and he is quick.”

Topping the list of linebackers is a returning starter in sophomore Kai Brown (5-11, 200). Seniors Brayden Louque (5-11, 200) and Tevin Long (5-10, 185) will see action, along with juniors Mathew Garon (5-9, 165) and Khalion Johnson (5-11, 230) while sophomore Terryne Harris (6-0, 215) is expected to start.

“Johnson played defensive end last year and he is solid,” Jenkins said. “Long and Louque are seniors. Long started inside last year and we will play him outside. Louque had an injury last year and missed half the season. Brown really played well last year. Garon started every game last year. He’s tough and flexible, able to play inside or outside.”

The secondary is led by senior Alex Martinez (5-9, 140), a returning starter at safety. Martinez will be joined by juinors Tyrek Brown (5-9, 175), Daevon Landry (6-0, 165) and Craydon Long (5-9, 165). DeQuincy Alexander is a sophomore who will also play, as will Brock Louque.

“We feel we lost the most experience in the secondary from last season,” Jenkins said. “Martinez did a good job last year and understands his role. The others are a mix of guys with upside. Long is primarily a fast corner who is also quick. Landry played receiver as a freshman. We moved him to safety and he could play corner. Alexander is always making plays. Louque played special teams last year.”

Jenkins reserved special praise for Brown.

“Brown may be our most versatile defensive player, a super athlete who started as a freshman at wide receiver,” Jenkins said. “He missed his sophomore season and he is back. He is also an excellent kick returner, a dynamic player with the ball in his hands.”

The schedule opens at home against 5A Thibodaux before a rivalry is renewed in LaPlace against always tough St. Charles Catholic. Home games with Douglass and Central Lafourche follow. The final non-district game is at South Terrebonne.

“We open tough with Thibodaux and St. Charles Catholic,” Jenkins said. “Those will be two big tests. We have agreed to play them both the next three years. You will find out how tough you are after playing them. Thibodaux is very good and St. Charles is an elite program at its level. We feel we should play St. Charles every year. It was an adventure scheduling the other non-district games. We have a good relationship with Douglass.”

District 9-3A play opens with a bang at parish rival St. James before the Bulldogs host Berwick. A tough road test at E.D. White Catholic follows. The regular season closes with a difficult home game against talented Donaldsonville and a road trip to Patterson.

“We think our league is pretty competitive,” Jenkins said. “You know the talent and tradition St. James has. They are probably hungry. They know how to win and are super talented. Berwick is getting better. E.D. White has been a thorn in our side. That will be a physical game and close again. Donaldsonville burst on the scene last year. They are very good. I thought Patterson was the most improved team in our league last year.”

With an experienced team and a state championship coach, Lutcher appears poised to make the playoffs and advance, perhaps deeper than it did a year ago.

“We have to work together,” Jenkins said. “We have a superstar with Winfield but we won’t be as deep on the talent-side as far as college prospects as some of the other top teams in 3A. We have to build on what we do well. Preparation is key. We hope our senior experience up front will carry us on both sides of the ball. We know what the expectations are with this program and its steep tradition.”

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