Blocked kicks haunt Dutchtown

With their exceptional kicker Tyler Sarrazin, Dutchtown almost always has an advantage over their opponents in the kicking game, but not Friday night.

Zachary High blocked two Sarrazin field goal attempts and a punt. They returned two of these blocks for touchdowns to pull off the huge 21-14 home upset win over the fourth-ranked Griffins.

Dutchtown came into the game flying high as they reeled off blowout wins over Donaldsonville and Sulphur to start the season.

Early on, it appeared nothing would change as the Griffins marched 80 yards on 15 plays to score on their opening drive. Mason Nickens scored on a six-yard touchdown run to give Dutchtown the 7-0 lead.

However, Zachary would answer right back with their first special teams score. Kentrell Fisher blocked a Sarrazin punt, picked it up and returned it 40 yards for the tying touchdown.

The Griffins seemed unfazed. They put together another long drive--this one a 71-yarder that ended again with a Nickens touchdown run. His 15-yard score gave Dutchtown a 14-7 lead.

And with the Griffins seemingly in control, Sarrazin set up for a 43-yard field goal attempt right before the half that would have put them up 17-7.

To the Griffins' dismay, Zachary broke through for another block. It was Fisher again.

His huge second block only served as more fire for the upset-minded Broncos as they came out for the second half.

In the third quarter, Sarrazin tried to put Dutchtown up by 10 again with a 47-yard field goal attempt. This time, Darryl Garner blocked it, but Fisher was there again to pick it up and return it 58 yards for another Zachary touchdown.

The score tied the game, and the Griffins never responded.

The Bronco offense finally got something going and drove deep into Dutchtown territory. It was there that Boston Scott ran in a three-yard touchdown to give Zachary their first lead of the game with just under 10 minutes left to play.

The Griffins put a drive together in hopes of tying the game and sending it into overtime, but those hopes were dashed when Nickens was picked off by Nick Maxey. The interception sealed the 21-14 win for the 3-1 Broncos.

In the losing effort, Dutchtown rolled up 390 yards. Nickens passed for 126 yards with the one interception and ran for 119 more with two scores. Torrance Mosley chipped in with 87 yards on the ground.

The loss ends the Griffins' 22-game regular season winning-streak and drops them to No. 7 in the polls.

However, the one bright spot for Dutchtown is that it's not a district setback. They still have two weeks before they start District 5-5A play with a big home game against parish rival St. Amant.

As for this week, they'll try to shake off the frustrating loss to Zachary and reach the 3-1 mark as they host Destrehan.