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

NEW ORLEANS – It was the Craydon Long show on defense plus a gold connection between D’Wanye Winfield and Tylin Johnson on offense that sparked a come-from-behind 28-25 victory for the Lutcher Bulldogs over the North DeSoto Griffins in the LHSAA Division II Non-Select title game on Saturday afternoon at the Caesars Superdome.

North DeSoto was leading 19-14 late in the third quarter and looked poised to extend the lead as running back, Johnathan Lewis carried the ball inside the 10. He was stripped by Brock Louque on the play and Tariot Snowden recovered.

Drive over. Momentum to Lutcher.

The Bulldogs were faced with a fourth down on the ensuing drive to open the fourth quarter when Winnfield hit the first of two touchdown passes to Johnson. That gave Lutcher their first lead of the fourth quarter.

Lutcher got the ball back quickly and drove 87 yards in 10 plays. Winfield finished the drive with another strike to Johnson from 25 yards out to make the score 28-19. The Griffins scored on the last play of the game to narrow the final margin to three.

Meanwhile, Long was a ball hawk on defense. He picked off three passes, the third on an underthrown ball midway through the fourth quarter. He was the first to intercept three passes in a game since Jamel Harris of Haynesville did it in 2014.

The three interceptions also tied a state championship game record co-held by five other players.

Winfield was named the game’s most outstanding player after he threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Winnfield also added 130 yards rushing and another score on the ground. Johnson caught nine passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Long finished with two pass break-ups on top of his three picks.

It capped off a fantastic weekend for the river parishes as Lutcher, Destrehan and St. Charles Catholic all won their title games. It was the first time that was accomplished since 2008.

Freshman quarterback Luke Delafield provided the first big spark of the game. On the Griffins’ third play from scrimmage, he connected with senior, Christopher Falls for a 78-yard touchdown to put North Desoto on the board first.

Lutcher’s defense kept them within striking distance through the first half. Long had two interceptions, the first of which led to a scoring drive. After Lutcher took over on their own 41, Winnfield hit Dameium Marcell for a 25-yard touchdown.

The Griffins controlled the line of scrimmage early though and they dug deep into the bag of tricks to go ahead. A double pass resulted in a 22-yard touchdown from Kenny Thomas to Brian Banks. After going up 13-7 at the half, the Griffins opened the second half with a touchdown as Marques Hampton surged in with second effort for a one-yard plunge on fourth and goal to go ahead 19-7.

Delafield threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns. Falls caught three passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Hunter Addison was named North DeSoto’s most outstanding player with a game-high 16 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.