A mistake-prone first half doomed Hahnville at Tad Gormley Stadium Friday night, but a feisty Tigers squad made a second half push before ultimately falling 37-20 against Brother Martin.
The loss dropped Hahnville to 1-2, but interim HHS head coach Mike Silva was also encouraged by the progress his team made as the game went on, on a night sophomore passer Andrew Naquin made his first career start at quarterback.
Naquin had some bumps along the way, but finished with 168 yards, a pair of touchdown passes and an interception. That helped open things up for Hahnville to rack up over 200 rushing yards, led by a big night from Brandon Comardelle, who ran the ball 18 times for 145 yards and a touchdown.
Brother Martin collected on a Hahnville mistake to put the game away, however, on Davonn Moore’s 40 yard interception return for a touchdown.
“We made some mental mistakes and you’re going to have that with a sophomore at quarterback,” Silva said. “We had three dropped snaps … a fumble at the end of a 40 yard run didn’t help us. Some early mistakes put us behind, but we told our kids to keep playing hard, and I’ll tell you this, they gave us great effort. They refuse to quit.”
Drew Martin passed for 200 yards and a touchdown to lead Brother Martin. Chris Smith led a committee of rushers with 40 yards and a touchdown.
The Tigers (2-1) were playing a day after learning their projected starting quarterback, senior Andrew Robison, would not be made eligible this season by the LHSAA. The Tigers were also playing without starting running back Darryle Evans.
But Naquin’s ability to get the ball to the team’s playmakers at receiver allowed Jha’Quan Jackson, who moved back to wide receiver from quarterback last week, and Jerry Spencer, among others, to make plays. Both players caught touchdown passes, with Spencer having a big night with more than 100 yards receiving and a 70-yard score. Hahnville set a season high in total yards, approaching 400 on Friday night.
“I think the thing that helps your running game most is when you’re able to back people up by throwing it,” Silva said. “I made up my mind, we were throwing a play action pass on one of the first three downs and we completed a curl … it helps because teams have been pinning their ears back, run blitzing … so just showing the threat of that helped open up lanes.”
Silva also said while Naquin still has much to learn, he’s shown considerable mental toughness.
“He’s a work in progress … you know, we’ve yo-yo’d the poor kid with Robison and Jha’Quan, and I know Coach Salt said hey, let’s bite the bullet and let the kid play,” Silva said. “He’s only going to get better and I thought he took a big step in the second half tonight.”
Hahnville trailed 20-0 at halftime but closed within 10 with the ball at 23-13. But the Tigers were not able to convert that drive into points and Brother Martin went on to pull away.
“I thought we played young at times and gave away a few opportunities,” Silva said. “These kids have taken a beating with all the turmoil the past few weeks. We talked about getting off the mat and continuing to fight … in the second half, I thought we seized some of those opportunities.”
you have to admire the courage and perseverance of this young HHS tiger squad. In spite of major adversity, they play with all their hearts and all their skills. The LHSAA decision not only shamefully hurt one quarterback, but it affected the lives of all of these players.They play without a coach who did not wrong and they play with a quarterback that they had come to see as leader and a friend. Bad decisions have far reaching consequences. Proud of my Tigers! HHS alumna 1970