St. James Sneak Pass Rival Lutcher 17-14

Written by Jonrell Jones

Big-time players make big-time plays, in big-time moments. St. James had a couple of players 
that stepped up during the 4th quarter. Wildcats big play guy Shazz Preston, who is the No. 1 receiver in the state for 2022 according to 247Sports came through with some big third down catches. Senior receiver Jonathan Wilson was another player that shined when his moment was called. With Lutcher hanging on to a 14-10 lead late in the 4th 
quarter, Wilson caught a toe drag touchdown pass from Marquell Bergeron to put the Wildcats up 17-14 with 1:58 left. “I did this all for my grandpa. He raised me since I was young. I wanted to make him proud and I know I did tonight. As the season goes on, I will continue to make him proud,” said Wilson. 

Another wildcat that came up big in the late game stretch was Senior defensive end and *LSU commit* Savion Jones who applied constant pressure on the quarterback all night long, but particularly on the Lutcher's final drive. On back to back plays Jones drove his way in the Bulldogs backfield to stop a pair of Bulldogs for no gain. Jones also recorded an interception on the night. “On the last drive, the community and my team depended on me. I had to put the team on my back and make plays,” said Jones.

Lutcher drove to the St. James 21-yard line with 7 seconds left. Noah Detillier, who is also the kicker, entered the game to attempt to send the game into overtime. Wildcats head coach Robert Valdez called all three timeouts in an attempt to ice Detillier. Valdez plan worked in the end because Detillier kick would go wide left, sending the Wildcats sideline into a wild celebration. 

The Wildcats had two touchdowns runs by Kaden Williams that were called back because of a holding penalty early in the first quarter. The Wildcats came away with no points after a missed field goal kick by Alec Mahler. On the Wildcats next drive, another touchdown run by Williams was called back because of a penalty. Mahler would kick a field goal to make the score 3-0, but they would score their first touchdown of the game with a three-yard run by senior linebacker Kaleb Brown to take a 10-0 lead.

Lutcher got on the board before halftime with a 37-yard run by Ra’saun Storks to cut the deficit 10-7. Storks was an absolute monster on the ground leading all rushers with 145 yards on 21 carries.

Even though Lutcher didn’t win the game, their future looks bright and they look to make noise in 3A this year. “We executed on offense and defense in the crunch & I’m proud of my family," Lutcher quarterback D'Wanye Winfield said. "I believe that me and my brothers will bounce back from this loss & win the state championship this year." 

​Lutcher falls to 2-2 & looks to rebound from this emotional loss next week against Berwick. St. 
James improves to 3-1  & will square off in another rivalry game when they take on Tigers of Donaldsonville at Nicholls St University.