It’s homecoming week at Hahnville, but one can expect a focused team this Friday night as the Tigers host H.L. Bourgeois in District 7-5A action.
The past three weeks have shown a lot of progress in Boutte, but also growing pains and frustration for the young Tigers. A 43-38 loss at East St. John was a night Hahnville entered as an underdog against an unbeaten foe, and but for a few plays the Tigers may well have come away with a win.
Ditto for last week’s home battle with a defending state champion in Lutcher, a 14-7 defensive slugfest that Hahnville had chances to win – redzone turnovers proved devastating. On top of those two games, the
Tigers saw another potential victory eliminated when its game at Thibodaux was cancelled for precautionary reasons due to gunshots fired in the area – all parties agree safety comes first and rightfully so, but nonetheless a difficult break for a Tigers team on the edge of the playoff picture.
There is good news for Hahnville (1-5): the team’s schedule has been one of the state’s most difficult, and that counts for a lot in the power points system. Destrehan and East St. John are unbeaten. Lutcher has lost just once. Newman and Mandeville have both been among the state’s best.
HHS might need some help from other teams to get in the postseason bracket, but everything must start with three victories to end the season – and that has to start against Bourgeois.
“Our kids know what’s at stake,” said Hahnville head coach Daniel Luquet. “They understand there is no wiggle room. I don’t expect all of these things that come with Homecoming to get in the way of what the game’s all about, which is what happens between those white lines on the field Friday, and I expect to see a focused team.
“We’ve talked about this being one game at a time. That mantra is just as important this week. We have to win this one, then we work on the next two – and hopefully that will be enough. We may need a little help from other people, but the schedule’s been tough and that should help us.”
Bourgeois is 2-5 thus far this season, those two wins doubling the Braves’ single victory of a season ago. An improved team visits Boutte, with a defense led by a strong defensive tackle in Tyron Winslow.
Winslow has great size at 6’5, 285 pounds, and Luquet sees a talented player who understands how to play the game.
“He stands out … he’s big, he’s physical and he really understands if he can’t get to the passer, to get his hands up in the throwing lanes. He can create havoc,” Luquet said.
Quarterback Connor Wallace and running back Malik Myles pace an offense that works from multiple formations and gives the opposition plenty to prepare for.
“They both do a great job with all of the formations they operate from,” said Luquet. “But if we can take care of what we need to take care of, build on what we did against Lutcher and do a better job of taking care of the football, I think we will be in good shape … we have to put four quarters together.”
LEADING ON THE FRONT LINE – Defensive tackle Torrey Holley had a very strong game Friday for Hahnville, one big reason the Tiger defense held Lutcher to less than 200 total yards of offense.
Lutcher rushed for 138 yards and passed for just 38, with Holley creating numerous issues for the middle of the Bulldogs’ offensive line.
“He really did a great job commanding double teams and opening things up for our linebackers to run through,” said Luquet. “When he got singled up, he was dominant. He’s a kid who works hard and I thought he really stood out … being a nose tackle, you don’t get big stats, nine or 10 tackles like other guys. But when you do your job there, you’re creating chances for other guys to make plays.”
HAULING IN A BIG NIGHT – Kobe Louis has been a jack of all trades for Hahnville, playing wide receiver, defensive back and impacting the game in several areas. He’s emerged as Hahnville’s go-to wide receiver, and on Friday that was on full display with seven catches for 96 yards.
“Something I’ve been taught over my career – it’s about best player, best play,” Luquet said. “We have to get the ball to our best players and he’s our guy at wide receiver. He had a hamstring injury early this season and it took a little while to get him going, but he’s a presence other teams have to account for now.”
Louis nearly hauled in an 8th catch and an impactful one – a 4th quarter reception in the back of the endzone was ruled out of bounds.
“You look at the slow motion replay, and he got his foot in,” Luquet said. “It’s frustrating to not get that, given the dynamic of the game and where it was. But he’s going to definitely get the attention (of other teams) moving forward.”
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