Tigers to host St. Augustine Purple Knights

Hahnville's junior linebacker Alton James levels Bulldog runningback Khymest Williams last Friday night. Hahnville won the game 21-6.

St. Augustine will be coming to town on Sept. 29 looking to provide a competitive football game for the Hahnville Tigers. They are coming with one goal in mind, to win. This year is a rebuilding year for the Purple Knights. Hurricane Katrina took their equipment, their coach and displaced most of the team. Their weight room sat under 5 feet of water. They are playing football this year and are having a rough go of it. It will not get any easier tomorrow night.

Hahnville defensive back Shaine Boyle says the Tigers are ready for tomorrow night. "With a healthy offense and (Tiger quarterback) Early James, we can put up some points on St. Aug."

St. Augustine comes in 1-3 overall, and has averaged scoring just under seven points per game while giving up a whopping 31 points per contest. On the flip side, Hahnville (4-0 overall) has held their opponents to seven points per game, on average, while scoring 25 points per game.

First year head coach Wayne Cordona, a 1996 graduate of St. Augustine, was hired in June 2006 to lead the Purple Knights into the 2006 season. Another part of St. Aug's problem has been their depth. Some skill players have had to play both sides of the football, leading to second half fatigue.

Players to watch for on the Purple Knight team are returning starting quarterback Tahlako Williams and wide out speedsters Joseph Gaskins and Chantz Stevenson.

For the Tigers to beat St. Augustine, they will need to have the front four on defense continue in their pursuit of opposing quarterbacks. The secondary will need to step up and make some plays. Offensively, the Tigers need Jordan Stephany to continue running the ball and quarterback Early James' dual threat of running and passing should give offensive coordinator John Lambert some options.

Tigers top Lutcher Bulldogs, 21-6

Lutcher came to town last Friday with a 3A chip on their shoulder. The Bulldogs were on a 5A rampage, after knocking off two 5A opponents in the two previous weeks.

With on and off showers, the game started and on Hahnville's first possession, they marched down the field led by a 29-yard Jordan Stephany run and finished up with a 24-yard touchdown pass and catch from James to Laron Byrd. Byrd played for the first time in two games after sitting out last week with an ankle injury.

Jordan Stephany got into the scoring act, running up the middle and through Bulldog defenders for a 33-yard touchdown run. At the half, Hahnville led 14-0.

Three of Lutcher's first four possessions of the second half ended in turnovers. Defensive lineman Nathan Lewis stripped Lutcher quarterback Blaine Gautier around midfield and that possession by the Tigers ended with a punt. On the next Bulldog possession, Tiger defensive back Clarence Campbell stepped in front of a Gautier offering and gave the Tiger offense the ball at the Lutcher 41.

Three plays later the Tigers punted the ball away. This time Tiger defensive back William Washington picked off Gautier setting the Tigers up at the Lutcher 31 yard line with 2:25 left in the third quarter.

After a 4:38 drive, Early James crossed the goal line on a three-yard quarterback keeper, putting the Tigers up 21-0.

"This was just the type of game I thought it would be. Coach said if we scored 21 (points) we would win," said Early James after the game.

Lutcher scored at the 6:23 mark of the fourth quarter but missed the extra point. On the ensuing kickoff Lutcher successfully recovered the onside kick. The Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs at the Tiger 17-yard-line with 5:27 remaining. Hahnville's offense then ran out the clock to preserve the victory.