Hahnville rushes into playoffs on 5-game win streak, will face St. Paul’s

Hahnville quarterback Easton Melancon follows lead blocker Kailon Carter for a big gain during the Tigers 47-44 win over rival Destrehan on Friday. Hahnville will travel to Covington to take on St. Paul’s this Friday at 7 p.m.

Hahnville head coach Lou Valdin’s wish came true.

After beating John Ehret two weeks ago to clinch a playoff spot, Valdin said he did not want to play No. 3 West Monroe, the team that knocked Hahnville out of the first round of the playoffs last year.

The Hahnville Tigers (5-4, 5-0) will instead face off against the St. Paul Wolves (7-3, 6-0).

St. Paul’s is ranked tenth in the state after going undefeated in district play. Hahnville is ranked 23rd in the state and also went undefeated in their district.

McDonogh #35 is the only common opponent the two teams have played this year.

In the fourth week of the season, St. Paul’s beat McDonogh 24-6. The following week McDonogh matched up against Hahnville and won 29-21. That was Hahnville’s fourth loss in a row, but last loss of the season.

In the week after their loss to McDonogh, Hahnville would show up with a new starting running back in Sergio Medina, who ran for 780 yards and 10 touchdowns over the next five games. All of those games ended in Hahnville victories.

"I don’t think (Medina) is the only reason we won five games in a row. Our offensive line got better and our entire team got better," Valdin said. "But he gave us some big play potential that we didn’t before."

Last week the Hahnville offense had their best showing of the year. Led by Medina with 240 yards, 40 carries and four touchdowns they were able to squeak out a 47-44 win in overtime against Destrehan in one of the most memorable inter-parish rivalry games ever.

Valdin said although he was proud of team’s win, there was one big problem.

"Obviously I’m disappointed in the turnovers," Valdin said. "Four turnovers and Destrehan scored four times off of them."

The team has suffered from numerous turnovers all year long.

"It’s something we preach. It’s something we work on," Valdin said. "It’s a big problem in every level of football. Turnover ratio is the biggest thing that determines who wins and loses football games."

He said if they stand a chance to win against St. Paul’s they will have to win the turnover battle.

"They are very, very well-coached," Valdin said. "There is a reason they have dominated that district over the past four years. They are big, they are physical and they don’t make mistakes."

St. Paul’s is coming off of their own close call last week. They won in a come-from-behind victory where they scored 22 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to beat Fountainebleau.

Valdin said the Wolves utilize a number of players in different offensive positions.

"They play two or three guys at quarterback, three guys at tailback, a bunch of guys at receiver," Valdin said. "They’ve always got fresh guys in there."

In addition to not turning the ball over, Valdin said a few other key factors will need to come into play for them to beat the Wolves.

"Not give up any big plays, make St. Paul’s have to work for points and play mistake-free football," Valdin said.

The Hahnville Tigers take on the St. Paul Wolves on Friday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. in Hunter Stadium at 917 S. Jahncke Ave. in Covington.