Lusher-Newman highlights Thursday night slate

A pair of teams off to very promising starts square off at Lupin Field Thursday night when unbeaten Newman (4-0) hosts Lusher (3-1) at 7 p.m.

The Greenies have scored 34 or more points in all four victories. Lusher (3-1) is coming off of a win over White Castle with its only loss coming to McMain, 31-6. Newman defeated the Mustangs 34-6 in week one.

Despite graduating an outstanding quarterback in Miles Lapeyre, the Greenies have not missed a beat with Martin Butcher manning the controls.

Butcher has completed a remarkable 65-of-82 passes (79%) for 799 yards and eight touchdowns.

In a 37-27 victory over previously unbeaten Berwick on the road last Friday night, Butcher passed for 312 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Junior Murray Calhoun had a huge night, catching 11 passes for 231 yards and both touchdown passes from Butcher. Calhoun has 20 receptions for 340 yards and four touchdowns. Storey Charbonnet has 17 receptions for 197 and two touchdowns.

The Newman offense has balance with senior James Poche’ rushing 70 carries for 490 yards and 12 touchdowns in the four victories. Defensively, sophomore Brandon Williams has four sacks .

Newman head coach Nelson Stewart is very happy with the way Butcher has taken control of the offense.

“Martin has grown each week, improving daily, showing great poise,” Stewart said. “He has been everything we hoped he could be. Williams is a special player on defense and he is just a sophomore.”

Stewart likes where his team at this stage of the season.

“We have been really pleased with our effort so far,” Stewart said. “We wanted to be able to play great team defense and throw it well. We have done so. Our offensive line play has been very, very good, controlling the line-of-scrimmage. We have stopped the run as well. Our last two wins were pivotal for us. The win against Berwick was our best regular season win since 2011.”

Newman must avoid being overconfident.

“They have an attacking defense that forces turnovers and they have a fantastic backfield,” Stewart said. “They run a multiple passing game. We have a lot of respect for them. They are a solid 3A team. We have reinforced the importance on remaining focused on the task at hand. We’ve had a real physical week of practice.”

Lusher is coming off of a 33-26 win at White Castle.

The Lions’ defense came up with seven huge turnovers, a big reason for the win. Chandler Jones recovered two fumbles, returning one for a touchdown. Jones had 12 tackles, including five for loss.

Ari Broussard came up huge on both sides of the ball for Lusher, rushing 12 times for 65 yards and a touchdown and catching two passes for 10 yards on offense. Defensively, he had 11 tackles, including three for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and an interception return for a score.

Quarterback Arnold Little must make plays in the passing game for Lusher to be successful. Lions head coach Louis Landrum was very pleased with his team’s effort last week.

“You don’t come up with seven turnovers in a game very often,” Landrum said. “We beat a pretty good team in White Castle. It is always good to get a road win.”

Landrum was quick to point out how well his two standouts have played.

“Broussard is a guy we lean on when it comes to both sides of the ball,” Landrum said. “Jones has been very good as well. They are clearly our top players and have to continue to be those guys for us.”

Landrum has a ton of respect for the Greenies.

“They always have a good squad to be reckoned with,” Landrum said. “The things they do, they do well. They execute well and scheme well. They have a lot of weapons on the outside and in the slot and the quarterback is accurate. They will be hard to stay with but we will go out and compete and do the best we can. It will take a full 48 minute effort to have a shot to win.”

Louisiana Prep Football Schedule for Thursday, Sept. 28

New Orleans Area

Carver at Helen Cox—6:30 p.m. at Hoss Memtsas Stadium

Landry-Walker at Grace King—6:30 p.m. at Joe Yenni Stadium

Lusher at Newman—7 p.m.

Around the state:

Abbeville at Marksville—7 p.m.

Captain Shreve at Byrd—7 p.m.

Episcopal vs. Capitol–7 p.m. at Majella Field

False River at Opelousas Catholic—7 p.m.

Kaplan at Notre Dame—7 p.m.