Though big statistical nights have been common for Destrehan running back Malachi Dabney, he’s especially delivered when it comes to the annual Battle on the River.
Last season, it was 230 yards and a whopping seven touchdowns. In 2024, it was 254 yards and a score. Both helped propel Destrehan to victories over rival Hahnville, and this Friday night, the Fighting Wildcats host the Tigers for the latest chapter of one of the most prep football rivalries in the country.
This will be Dabney’s final game against Hahnville. Hahnville head football coach Greg Boyne said if the Tigers are to snap what’s been an eight-game Destrehan winning streak in the rivalry, it is going to have to start with slowing the senior rusher down.
“Without a doubt, it’s containing Malachi,” Boyne said as to where it all starts for the Tigers this Friday night. “He’s killed us the last two years for sure. I know, last year, everyone talks about the touchdowns, but it’s more the long runs, the backbreaking runs on second and long, third and long when we had a chance to get off the field.
“If he’s at around 100 yards, you have a chance, but if he’s rushing for 150-plus yards, two, three, four touchdowns, then it’s going to be about impossible to win.”
One of Dabney’s strengths is shedding tackles and staying on his feet. Boyne said Dabney’s balance and ability to keep runs going are among the things that set the Nicholls State commitment apart.
“He very, very rarely goes down on first contact,” Boyne said. “You better make sure you have at least three or four around him.”
Hahnville last won in 2017 in this rivalry – that was the Pooka Williams and Jha’Quan Jackson-led Tiger team that reached the state championship game.
Both teams are entering this one riding high. Hahnville (4-2, 2-0) has won four straight after starting 0-2. Destrehan, likewise, has reeled off four in a row on its end. Last season, DHS defeated Hahnville 49-28 on Halloween night at Tiger Stadium. A season before, DHS captured a 31-24 victory in a tight battle for four quarters.
Destrehan head coach Marcus Scott is 6-0 thus far in the Battle on the River. He said it’s a special kind of game environment.
“The communities are so strong on both sides of the river,” said Scott. “There’s a lot of passion involved, a lot of people with vested interests, a lot of former players, and people who were raised in this area. I think what makes it intriguing to so many people is how much passion there is and just how much it means to so many people.”
Boyne concurred, adding the team that handles the atmosphere best will have the advantage.
“These kids, you know, in this area we have only four feeder schools. They play each other through recreation and through middle school,” said Boyne. “They know each other and the community gets involved and it’s a big crowd. So, it’s a big game, of course. But it’s not the Super Bowl and it’s not the culmination of the season,” Boyne said.
This will be Landen Teague’s third Battle on the River as Hahnville starting quarterback.
Scott said Teague is in full control of the Hahnville offense.
“I know Coach Boyne trusts him. He makes adjustments on the field and his running ability is something that’s been on full display this year,” said Scott. “And his passing ability has always been impressive.”
Fabian Celestine leads Hahnville’s ground attack.
“He’s been a very good player since middle school. He’s been on the radar for a while,” Scott said. “We knew we’d have to deal with him for three or four years. I’m just glad he’s a senior.”
Scott said Celestine’s speed and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield makes him especially dangerous.
“And he’s obviously fast, but he also runs with power,” Scott said.
Hahnville’s wide receivers have been gaining momentum over the course of the season.
“(Aaron Williams) is the most experienced, and (Kaiden Bran) is certainly a threat from the slot,” said Scott. “Then Early (James) and Dwayne (Cola) are threats on the outside. All of them can run and all of them can make plays, so we have to be at our best.”
Scott said the Hahnville secondary boasts playmakers, noting cornerback Lionel Irons and safety Brayden Fontenot among players who can change a game, as well as sophomore Jerod Grant as a player on the rise. Ditto for Beaux Woods up front at defensive end for the Tigers.
“(Fontenot) is the guy who settles everybody down back there. He’s the leader in the secondary and one of the leaders of the team. With his experience, he’s played in big games. We know he can make and impact against both the run and the pass,” Scott said.
Scott said Woods can cause a lot of disruption.
“His first step is explosive,” Scott said. “He’s long and rangy. He causes a lot of problems because of his quickness and aggressiveness when he comes off the ball.”
Boyne said Destrehan junior quarterback Aushai Smith is “wise beyond his years.”
“I’ve known him since he was in the sixth grade. I have a lot of respect for his game. He’s grown physically and developed in the position. When Jackson (Fields) was hurt a couple of years ago, he played some meaningful games against some really good teams, and now with his experience this season – he’s got skins on the wall.”
Destrehan’s pass catchers are led by Jaylan Ash, but Boyne said the Wildcats don’t give teams the opportunity to key on just one player.
“Coach (offensive coordinator Clint Harrison) has done a really good job spreading the ball around. It’s not just Jaylan. Coryan Armstrong, he makes some timely catches. Then you have Jordan Zeringue. They find different ways to get him the ball,” Boyne said.
Defensively, Boyne sees a different look from Destrehan.
“It’s really a completely different defense than what we’ve seen from Coach (Tim) Taffi for years,” said Boyne, who coached alongside Taffi and Scott for many years prior to his arrival at Hahnville. “They’re running a lot more three-high safety stuff, which is big in the college game right now. I know (Taffi) had talked for years about looking into it.”
Boyne noted safeties Brian Reed Jr., Ryan Montague and Jordan Pate do a strong job of stopping the run while knowing when to stay deep.
“It takes a tremendous amount of discipline,” said Boyne. “It looks almost chaotic at first glance, but every gap’s accounted for … they’re very sound in what they do. You also don’t know where they’re going to be coming from.
“Reed and Montague are old school. They’re bringing their helmet, their shoulder pad and they’re gonna hit you. A big part of this game is going to be blocking on the perimeter. Our slot receivers, tight ends and H-backs getting a hat on those safeties. Pate is also a really good player and those three are involved in everything that they do.”
