Fueled by 8 forced turnovers, Lusher escapes with wild win at White Castle

The first play of the game was indicative of how this Thursday night affair was going to play out.

Lusher’s Blair Boutte recovered his first of two fumbles on the first play of scrimmage before senior Ari Broussard punched it in from one yard out to start off the scoring. On White Castle’s next possession, Lusher’s Sterling McKeithen picked off quarterback Unique Young for his first of two interceptions on the game.

Lusher did not score after their first interception but took enough advantage of six more turnovers to take a road win at White Castle, 33-26.

White Castle struck back with a 24 yard run from Dionte Bracken but couldn’t convert on that two-point attempt or any of their next three two-point tries on the night.

In the second quarter after a fumble by White Castle, Lusher’s Arnold Little connected with Joshua Stiger for a 32 yard touchdown pass. The Bulldogs answered on the next drive with a one yard toss from Young to Demarius Stewart.

After trading turnovers on the next two drives, Lusher botched the snap on a punt in the end zone to give up a safety. White Castle took advantage of the momentum shift on the next drive by scoring on a 4th and 21 courtesy of a 23-yard tocuhdown pass from Unique Williams to Kevin Coleman with 23 seconds left in the half.

Lusher received great field position to start the third quarter but was unable to turn it into points when a fourth down pass into the end zone was dropped. However, sophomore running back Miles Stewart scored a 10-yard touchdown on the following Lions possession to tie the game, 20-20.

On White Castle’s next possession, Young threw a lateral that Lions linebacker Chandler Jones picked up and returned 37 yards for a touchdown to give Lusher the lead.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Broussard forced Young to fumble. Chandler Jones recovered the loose ball for his second fumble recovery of the game.

After a White Castle interception that put them in Lusher territory, the Bulldogs gave it right back again. Broussard returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown to put the Lions 33-20 with just over seven minutes remaining. Lusher’s Kai Davis got an interception on the very next drive.

Demarius Stewart’s second touchdown grab with 1:43 left drew the Bulldogs within a score, but the hosts were unable to recover the onside kick to keep their hopes of a rally alive.

Young finished 13-for-28 for three touchdowns and four interceptions while his favorite target Stewart had seven catches for 82 yards and the two scores.

Broussard’s impressive stat sheet included 12 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown, two catches for 10 yards, 11 tackles including three for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and the pick six.

Jones had 12 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and a fumble return touchdown.

Both teams return to action next Friday night.

Lusher (3-1) makes the short trip to Lupin Field to take on Newman while White Castle (1-3) travels to Edgard to face West St. John.

Louisiana Football Scores
Thursday, Sept. 21
New Orleans Area
Higgins 28, Bonnabel 13
Lusher 33, White Castle 26
Slidell 32, Hammond 8

Around the state:
Ascension Episcopal 45, Delcambre 6
Dunham 21, Port Allen 18
Holy Savior Menard 56, University Academy 12
Lafayette Christian 56, Highland Baptist 7
Loreauville 34, Jeanerette 33 (OT)
Mansfield 42, Greek Oaks 20
Oberlin 22, Merryville 20
Rayne 35, Erath 7
Sacred Heart (VP) 53, False River 27
Tara 41, East Iberville 20
Tioga 35, Bolton 0
Westake 47, Lake Charles College Prep 0
Woodlawn (BR) 43, B.T. Washington (SH) 8