And They Call It Bully Ball – West Feliciana host Lutcher In Division II Non-Select Semifinal Action
Photos and article by Jo Eddlemon Content Provider Recruit Louisiana
They call it Bully Ball and that is what it was Friday night as the No. 6 Lutcher Bulldogs came to No. 2 West Feliciana for a semifinal showdown in the LHSAA Division II Non-Select playoffs. The winner to advance to the state championship game at the Caesars Superdome next week.
Senior quarterback D’Wanye “Lunch” Winfield was physical and dominating with the ball in his hands, as he bullied his way and gobbled up over 330 yards on 45 carries and scored all five of the Bulldogs touchdowns. West Feliciana could not find an answer for Winfield’s physicality and ability to pound his way through the Saints defense.
Lutcher would take the win 35-21 to move on to the LHSAA Prep Classis Division II Non-Select State Championship game against the No. 4 ranked team North Desoto.
“This is about finishing” stated Winfield as he took questions from reporters after the game. D’Wanye wears the No. 7 which biblically stands for “Completeness” The No. 5, the number of touchdowns Winfield scored last night, stands for “Balance and Grace.”
“Coach Jenkins told me to put it on my back and run with it. It’s Bully Ball.” stated Winfield. “All we heard about was how they (West Feliciana) was more physical then us and he told us three things – 1. Be more physical, 2. Be more disciplined, and 3. Play your best and nobody can stop you.”
Despite falling behind early in the second quarter (21-7), the Saints mounted a feverish comeback to bring the score to 14-28 at halftime. A muffed punt by Lutcher late in the third opened the door for West Feliciana to bring the score to 21-28 going into the 4th quarter, on a Joel Rogers quarterback scramble.
But that was all the Saints could muster as Lutcher put the game, literally, in Winfield’s hands. He would rumble for his 5th touchdown of the game to move the score to 35-21 with 3:06 left in the game. Lutcher would then get a big stop on defense and would run out the clock with more of its physical pounding run plays by Winfield.
Junior ATH and Quarterback Joel Rogers led the Saints with 145 yards rushing on 17 carries and two touchdowns. He completed 7-12 passes for 76 yards.
Junior running back Ja’Terrius Johnson added 60 yards rushing on 16 carries and a touchdown.
More to come with highlights………
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