Lutcher moves up in class seeking third straight state football title

It is difficult to win a state championship in any sport. It is very difficult to win back-to-back state championships. It is extremely difficult to win consecutive titles with two different coaches. It will be even more challenging to win three in a row, particularly when you are asked to step up in class.

That is the plight surrounding the elite program of Lutcher High School and head coach and alumnus Dwain Jenkins.

In his first season, Jenkins returned to the school he played at and coached at triumphantly, winning the Class 3A state championship in 2016, a year after his mentor and former boss, Tim Detillier, ended his brilliant career with a 3A championship.

In 2017, Jenkins will have to make it happen in Class 4A if a three-peat is going to happen as the Bulldogs saw an enrollment increase that has reclassified them to the higher level. With eight state championship trophies in tow, it is certainly possible at Lutcher.

“We always talk about the great history,” Jenkins said. “It’s a community school and it is the center of the community. We have been entrusted as a coaching staff to maintain the high level of success. You understand that it is important to a whole lot of people, including many around the country.”

Lutcher returns 10 starters from a year ago, including seven on offense.

The big task will be replacing a terrific quarterback in Jontre Kirklin, who passed for 2,543 yards and 29 touchdowns while rushing for 1,082 yards and 17 touchdowns a year ago. Kirklin is now at LSU.

Junior Kolby Bourgeois (5-11, 175) takes over at the helm. Bourgeois saw action in six games a year ago, completing 29-of-37 passes (78%) for 450 yards and eight touchdowns with just one interception.

“Kolby is not Jontre Kirklin but that’s not saying he’s not a good athlete and will not be a very good quarterback,” Jenkins said. “There are very few like Jontre, as a football, basketball and track star. Kolby did a good job last year in his first year playing football since the fifth grade. He was good for Jontre in the meeting rooms with him, studying and understanding what is going on. He is a student of the game. He prepared himself and learned and that will serve him well now.”

While leading receiver Al’dontre Davis graduated, Bourgeois has a very good pair of receivers in senior Gregory Clayton (5-11, 175) and sophomore Jacoby Williams (6-0, 180). Clayton caught 54 passes for 693 yards and seven touchdowns while Williams had 28 catches for 365 yards and four scores.

“Clayton gets to be the top guy now,” Jenkins said. “Williams was a fabulous freshman for us last year. Both are very good players. Jacoby has enjoyed a great summer and really matured. The sky is the limit. He is the most dynamic big-play guy we have.”

Rondell Mealey (5-11, 175 Jr.) will be the third receiver. His father was a great running back at Destrehan and LSU and played in the NFL. Mealey is a natural running back but will play slot receiver due to the presence of Daevon Adams.

The running game should be solid Adams (5-8, 170 Sr.) back to lead the way. Adams rushed 111 times for 567 yards and nine touchdowns in 2016.

“Daevon has been our primary running back for a year and a half and that is a huge asset,” Jenkins. “This will be his year to be a primary runner, with Jontre no longer here.”

Up front, the Bulldogs are strong, returning four of five starters, including tackles Lamar Felton (6-3, 270 Sr.) and junior Alex Beier (6-3, 225), junior guard Josh Taylor (5-11, 220) and senior center Brayden Bauer (6-0, 235).

“We think the thing that helps us the most on offense is that we return four starters up front,” Jenkins said. “That is a real strength of our team. We feel they will block the run very well.”

The challenge will be on defense, where Lutcher returns just three starters, including senior end Keiron Goudia (5-11, 220), senior defensive tackle Rowdy Scott (5-6, 205 Sr.) and sophomore safety Zane McCrary (5-9, 160 Soph.). Goudia had 84 tackles while McCrary had 76 stops and two interceptions a year ago.

“Over the last two seasons, you lose Ben St. Pierre, Sully Laiche and Tyler Williams,” Jenkins said. “That is a huge amount of tackles and talent to lose. We lost Thaddeus Watis and Dylan Recotta as well. There is a vacuum of leadership that has to be filled. That is the key for us on defense is to find leadership. Scott and Goudia return up front while McCrary is a smart player and he is expected to be a leader. Depth is an issue for us. We are young and could start up to seven sophomores on defense this year.”

The schedule opens at home against East Ascension on Sept. 1 before a battle with parish rival and former district rival St. James at St. James on Sept. 8. After hosting Marksville on Sept. 15, the Bulldogs travel to 5A opponents St. Amant and Dutchtown.

“Our pre-district schedule is one you wish you were not playing with a lack of experience but it will serve the purpose,” Detillier. “We will face four pretty good 5A programs early that are big, fast and strong. We played Marksville in the quarterfinals last year. They play harder than anyone we faced. You have to work hard to beat them. We held on to win by a touchdown. St. James is immensely talented and should make a deep run in 3A this year. They have a bunch of three-year starters, some of whom started for me there in 2015. It is a great rivalry.”

District play opens with a bang on Oct. 6 against powerful Parkview Baptist at Lutcher before the Bulldogs travel to St. Michael. Lutcher hosts Woodlawn of Baton Rouge on Oct. 20 and Tara on Oct. 27 before closing on the road against a very good Plaquemine squad on Nov. 3.

“The thing about our league is that we played in 4A for Lutcher for six seasons previously,” Jenkins said. “We know what to expect. You saw a changing of the guard at the end of our last run there as Plaquemine took control away from Lutcher then. Plaquemine is knocking on the door to be an elite program. They are very good. This is one of their best teams. Parkview Baptist has played for three straight Division II championships. They are physical, tough and consistent. St. Michael, Woodlawn and Tara will challenge us.”

While the step up in class will be tough, Lutcher is tough, a proven winner with a tremendous pedigree and outstanding coach. If Bourgeois can continue to progress, look for the Bulldogs to be a prime contender for Class 4A honors in 2017.

“The thing with us is going to be how much we can develop,” Jenkins said. “This team is fun to coach. They work extremely hard and are very attentive. The concern will be the size and speed of the game in 4A, as compared to 3A. It is a step up, a different animal. We know what the top of the food chain is with Neville and Karr. Warren Easton, McDonogh 35 and Plaquemine are really good. It is a very tough class and challenge but we are looking forward to it.”