Playoff Top Performers: Lutcher vs. West Feliciana

Lutcher coach Dwain Jenkins had entrusted [player_tooltip player_id='138278' first='D'Wanye'' last='Winfield'] as an underclassman as the leader and face of the proud River Parishes program.   And with his and his 2023 classmates' high school careers winding down, the senior quarterback nicknamed "Lunch" would not be denied their storybook ending.   Winfield rushed 45 times for 331 yards and all five of the Bulldogs' touchdowns in the Division-II nonselect semifinals to hold off West Feliciana, 35-21, and advance to their first state championship game since 2016.   "That kid's never disappointed us," Jenkins said. "He does what he's supposed to do on and off the field. You can see what he does on the field. When he just decides, 'It's time,' it's time... When you get a special one like that and he tells you he can take over, let him take over."   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/embed/0QcltxvE8Bs </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='138278' first='D'Wanye'' last='Winfield'] (6-2, 200 QB/ATH | 2023)   Even for a player who had put his team on his back on many a prolific Friday evening before, the semifinal performance was special. "Lunch" powered his way through and over defenders for four quarters, including 17 straight carries at one point to maintain control amid the Saints' comeback attempt. The power and determination with which Winfield runs were on full display in St. Francisville, with a few flashes of his speed up the sideline along the way when he was able to break West Feliciana's containment to the outside.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/embed/9kId69x5Gao </div></figure>   Colin Roques (6-0, 210 LB | 2024)   Winfield was rolling from start to finish, but the Lutcher defensive and special teams units assisted in major fashion in helping claim a swift 21-0 lead in less than eight minutes of play. Following the quarterback's first rushing touchdown, Roques jumped on a fumbled kickoff to hand the ball right back for another. The Bulldogs then forced a quick three-and-out to keep the early momentum mounting.   Reshad Sterling (6-2, 225 DL | 2025)   A slew of upperclassman standouts such as senior Craydon Long and juniors Dale Smith, Brock Louque and [player_tooltip player_id='138391' first='Kai' last='Brown'] were leaders on a defense that allowed an average of just 12.8 points during the regular season. But Sterling, the intriguing 2025 prospect, was another young standout who stepped up with the strength to overpower and shed opposing blockers and get into the backfield for disruptive plays.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/embed/I-SVksKJF3g </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='421606' first='Joel' last='Rogers'] (6-1, 185 ATH | 2024)   Winfield's counterpart provided West Feliciana an exceptional performance in his own right. The standout junior quarterback slipped, slashed and dashed his way to 146 yards and two touchdowns on 17 rushes and completed seven of 12 pass attempts for another 76 yards to frustrate Bulldogs' defenders for stretches of the contest. Rogers was a slippery runner with his athleticism and quickness on consistent display. The likely college safety played both ways, closed on plays fast and added at least one big sideline hit to his highlight reel.   Ja'Terrius Johnson (5-8, 175 RB | 2024)   Rogers' partner in the Saints' backfield added 60 yards and another score on 16 carries with an explosive step and strong, physical running style bigger than his measurables might suggest. Johnson is now a two-time all-district performer and an intriguing under-the-radar prospect to watch for next recruiting cycle.

Lutcher coach Dwain Jenkins had entrusted D’Wanye’ Winfield D’Wanye’ Winfield 6'1" | 210 lbs | ATH Lutcher | 2023 State LA as an underclassman as the leader and face of the proud River Parishes program.