Hahnville has a strong tradition of great running backs and a great running game.
In 2023, the Tigers will double down on that. Hahnville head coach Daniel Luquet, entering his fourth season with the team as head coach, has emphasized that this year’s squad must go all in on its physicality, toughness and ability to run the football. Hahnville brings back an experienced quarterback in Ryan Gregson with a year as starter under his belt, but have replaced its top four wide receivers from a year ago. Defensively, the team has looked strong through the spring game, summer scrimmage and in its 14-6 jamboree win over West Jefferson last week.
The Tigers went 6-5 in 2022 after losing their then-starting quarterback Donovan Friloux in the preseason, and will look to take a step forward this season. Hahnville opens its season on the road tonight (Sept. 1) at Newman.
Quarterbacks
Ryan Gregson wasn’t expected to be the starter last season, but the then-junior was thrust into duty after Tigers starter Donovan Friloux was sidelined for the season in the 2022 jamboree.
He steadily improved as the season went on and was playing his best football by November, and HHS head coach Daniel Luquet believes the very best is yet to come from his passer.
“We’re real excited about the maturation process he’s had. He’s bigger and stronger, and at that position, experience can do nothing but help you,” Luquet said. “I think his confidence has really grown.”
Gregson finished the season with 13 touchdown passes and six interceptions. He also rushed for over 100 yards and two touchdowns. The vast majority of that production came in the second half of the season.
Gregson will be backed up by sophomore Bennett Naquin, the younger brother of former Hahnville quarterback Andrew Naquin.
Running backs
This is Hahnville – thus this position, as seemingly always, is a big strength.
Junior Calvin Smith Jr. and senior Chase Brooks comprise what Hahnville calls their Thunder and Lightning backfield. Smith is a bit more known for his power than Brooks; Brooks a bit more for his speed than Smith. Both are complete backs, however – Smith can certainly speed away from a defender, while Brooks earned Toughest Tiger recognition for his work in the weight room and on the field.
“Both guys are explosive,” Luquet said. “These are two quality human beings who come to work every day, come to practice every day and they make each other better. We couldn’t be happier to have both of these guys.”
They will see plenty of work as Hahnville is expected to base its offense on what projects to be its strength, the rushing attack.
“To win games it means getting the ball to your best players,” said Luquet. “Those guys are our running backs.”
HHS has strong depth in the form of Fabian Celestine, James Franks, Rydell Nathan Jr. and Patrick Jackson.
Wide receiver
Hahnville is replacing almost all of the reps from last season and thus this is one of the team’s least experienced groups.
Sophomore Karon Henderson, junior Kenneth Moore, senior Dyron Lorio, junior Kobe Louis and Landyn Dufrene have been competing at the position, and what separates one from another might be the work they do when the ball isn’t coming their way – at least early on.
“We’ll be run-heavy and that means they’ll have to do things most wide receivers don’t love to do – block,” said Luquet. “Their opportunities might not come as often, but when that time comes they need to be ready.”
Luquet noted an example of this in last week’s jamboree win over West Jefferson, when Gregson connected with Henderson to help put the game away on a late third down.
“He had been blocking, he got his opportunity and made it count,” said Luquet, adding, “We need to recognize their respective strengths and put them in position to succeed.”
Tight end
This will be a very important position for Hahnville as it leans on the run. Junior Azur Karahasanovic, junior Jha’man Preston, sophomore Michael Propps and senior Mason Wells will all see time in different roles and packages.
Preston, who played running back for the Tigers last season, could present some issues with matchups for the defense given his versatility, and if needed he can bounce back to running back.
“He’s a bigger kid and one who hit the weight room hard and has found his niche as to where to play on Friday nights,” Luquet said. “We can line him up in the backfield and kind of motion him out like we’ve done with Chase Brooks, and take advantage of the linebackers in coverage.”
But all four will play, and for the in-line tight ends, each will be relied on to help generate lanes for the running attack and protect the passer.
Offensive line
Luquet said that there is no mystery as to what his Tigers must be in order to have success in 2023: a physical football team that lines up and runs the football at you over and over, winning the line of scrimmage. This line will be the ultimate key to doing so on the offensive side of the football.
Senior Devin Delpino starts at center, junior Brodie Donnaud and senior Kenneth Lorio at guard and juniors Khailan McLean and Riley Hampton at tackle. Christopher Wilkinson and Kentavious Daniel-Black are also in the mix and pushing for playing time. The group will likely average 250 pounds. across the board.
“We really have eight or nine guys we feel comfortable with. This group really has bought in and taken the approach that this is a family and in order to be better, they have to be better together. It’s been a competition … we always take the stance that we owe it to this community to come watch the best 11 (starters), not just the 11 guys who are the oldest. They’ve bought into it.”
Defensive line
This is a deep and talented rotation of players. Seniors Torrey Holley, Cameron Darensbourg and Caiden Robertson, junior Nizair Miller and sophomores Fred Downing Jr., Ka’Wayne Harris and Dahniel Banks are all players who figure to see action on different downs and distances, and Luquet said the collective group will keep one another fresh. This group leads the way up front for a revamped defense that’s looked very good through the spring and summer.
“These guys are technicians,” said Luquet. “We have a bunch of players we feel comfortable with bringing in, a good rotation of guys who will play those three spots. We can stay fresh and as coaches we’ll look to take advantage of their strengths, be it playing the run or rushing the passer.”
Linebackers
Seniors Chase Morales and Beau Parker are returning starters from a year ago, Morales an All-District selection last year. Tylen Kalili and Koen Donnaud will also factor in and both figure to see plenty of playing time. Braylon Crayton is also pushing for time and has had a strong summer after moving from defensive line to linebacker.
All five players are dual sport athletes, something Luquet believes helps in a big way.
“You see so much that you don’t really get overwhelmed – the guys that have largely been the most successful for us have been those dual sport players,” he said.
Luquet noted Morales and Parker each bring plenty of toughness to the table and have emerged as playmakers for the defense.
Defensive back
Junior cornerback Ryan Simmons leads this unit. Luquet said he’s one of the best man-to-man cornerbacks the coach has been around in a long time.
“He’s not a big guy, but he plays a lot bigger than he looks. Physical, physical, physical … he brings an identity to our team,” Luquet said. “He’s not afraid to tackle, to run with the best, to switch sides of the field. He’s a confident human being.”
Joining him at cornerback are sophomores Savayon Weber and Raynell Gale, one of which will start across from Simmons. Senior William Brown is a returning starter. Senior Ahmand Simmons may join them as well at corner – the returning starting corner will start either at that position or safety, Luquet said, as a player with a lot of experience and skill. Junior Matthew Bedi will join them for a unit that looks to have potential.
Specialists
Myles Borey will start at placekicker, with Gabby Touchard likely to push for time once she returns from injury. Borey will also punt for the Tigers but could rotate with Tylen Kalili, who has a bit more experience than the sophomore.
Luquet said Borey is young but if he puts it together, has the skills to not only excel for Hahnville but perhaps kick at the next level.
“As soon as he gets the mechanics right, he could possibly do it at the next level,” Luquet said.
Returnmen will be Chase Brooks and Ryan Simmons on kickoffs, with Brooks returning punts.
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