Destrehan and Hahnville have long been at or near the top of district competition, but 2019 saw District 7-5A prove especially challenging, with any success coming well-earned within a district that saw six teams qualify for the postseason. This year’s All-District 7-5A squad is well-stocked with Wildcats and Tigers alike, with the top three individual honors of the district earned by members of the two longtime rival schools.
Local All-District 7-5A football honorees
Offensive Player of the Year: Kyle Edwards, Destrehan. Edwards was the engine that drove the Destrehan offense this season, rushing for 1,851 yards and 27 touchdowns in his first year as Destrehan’s primary back. He added more than 200 yards through the air along with another touchdown on receptions.
Defensive Player of the Year: Adonis Friloux, Hahnville. Friloux was an absolute force for one of the state’s top defensive teams. He garnered 21 sacks and made 25 tackles for loss as he remained a disruptive force all season long. He made 60 solo tackles, 15 assists, blocked a field goal and forced a fumble. His presence fueled a Hahnville pass rush that finished with 45 sacks in 2019.
Coach of the Year: Nick Saltaformaggio, Hahnville. The Tigers earned a split district 7-5A championship with East St. John and felled some of the state’s top teams under Saltaformaggio’s watch, the veteran coach just concluding his fifth year with the program. Hahnville went 9-3 in 2019, including an 8-0 start that stands as Hahnville’s best beginning to a season in several years.
All 7-5A First Team Selections
Quincy Brown, receiver, Destrehan. Destrehan evolved into a run heavy offense as the season went on, but when extra defenders crept into the box, Brown represented the price the defense paid – and it was often, indeed, costly. The 6’3 target hauled in 69 receptions for 878 yards and nine touchdowns for Destrehan this season.
Daniel Hart, offensive line, Destrehan. The Mudcats take pride in not seeking out attention or accolades, but they deserved plenty of praise in 2019. Hart helped pave the way for Destrehan to rush for 2,730 yards and 41 touchdowns last season.
Noah Taliancich, defensive line, Destrehan. The Tulane signee was among the state’s most disruptive defensive linemen, a shift from defensive end to defensive tackle not slowing him in the slightest. He made 39 total tackles, 11.5 for loss and earned 6.5 sacks in his final season.
Dylan Whitted, linebacker, Destrehan. Whitted was an emotional leader of a Destrehan defense that slowed – or outright stopped – many of the state’s most potent offenses. He had a team-leading 71.5 tackles, 7.5 of those for loss, and eight sacks – a total that included a three sack performance against rival Hahnville.
Tyler Morton, defensive back, Destrehan. If you wanted to find Morton, just look for the football: he’d find his way to it more often than not. Morton had 57.5 tackles and 5.5 for loss as a safety to go with a pair of interceptions and a blocked field goal.
J’Cobe Scott, offensive line, Hahnville. Hahnville imposed its will on opponents for the majority of the 2019 season, as Scott and the team’s offensive line set a physical tone. The Tigers rushed for more than 2,100 yards and 35 touchdowns this season against one of the state’s toughest slates of opponents.
Reginald Pierre, offensive line, Hahnville. The biggest and most imposing of a Hahnville’s offensive line rich in size, Pierre proved a mismatch for numerous foes. The Tigers scored 44 touchdowns and gained more than 3,000 yards over their 12 games this season, and did so while adjusting to a brand new offensive scheme.
Darryle Evans, running back, Hahnville. Evans ran like he was making up for lost time, after an injury derailed his junior season, putting together a campaign of 1,253 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground He made his biggest plays in Hahnville’s most important moments.
John Pearsall, linebacker, Hahnville. Hard-nosed and rugged, Pearsall hit hard and made plays all season long at the middle linebacker spot. He made 10 tackles for loss, four pass breakups and recovered four fumbles while leading the Tigers with more than 100 tackles.
Syre Lewis, Hahnville, defensive back. Lewis was often tasked with eliminating the opposition’s best wide receiving threat, and he did a great job of it. He broke up 10 passes and made four interceptions to go with 27 tackles this season, while blocking two field goals.
Brandon Comardelle, defensive back, Hahnville. Comardelle converted from running back to safety last offseason and quickly took to his new role. He made 49 tackles, broke up nine passes and intercepted three others. He scored twice on defensive returns.
Second Team Selections
Jhase Gooden – Destrehan, Defensive Line, Jr.- Gooden was a powerful force in the middle of the Destrehan defense this season, finishing with 48.5 tackles, six sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble this season.
Dylan Gibbs – Destrehan, Linebacker, Jr. Gibbs was all over the field in 2020, tallying 50 tackles, 10.5 of those for loss, and 2.5 sacks as a playmaking linebacker for a strong DHS defense.
Jaden Harding – Destrehan, Defensive Back, Jr. Harding established himself as a ball hawk in the Destrehan secondary, intercepting six passes while also forcing four fumbles. He made 23 tackles as well for the Wildcats.
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