The Hahnville Tigers opened up their first home game of the season with a heartbreaking loss to the Archbishop Rummel Raiders.
Hahnville was leading last year’s state champions 5-0 with 35 seconds left to go in the game when Rummel called a hook and ladder play. Second team quarterback Chase Fourcade connected on a short pass to a wide receiver who pitched the football to tailback Ivan Phipps who took it up the sideline for a 79-yard touchdown.
After a short kick return Hahnville took over the ball with 11 seconds remaining and with second team quarterback Logan Martindale at the offense’s helm after starter Dylan Keller was injured in the latter half of the fourth quarter.
On the second to last play of the game Martindale scrambled for a first down and then as time expired he lofted a hail mary and Rummel cornerback Kristian Fulton came down with the ball for Rummel’s third interception on the night and a victory.
Up until the last minute, special teams and defense had combined to put Hahnville in the lead for the bulk of the game.
The Tigers’ first score came off a 50-yard field goal by Craig Ford in the second quarter. In the second half Ford kept up consistent pressure on Rummel’s offense by dropping punts on their one and six yard lines. However, Ford had a 48-yard field goal attempt blocked in the third quarter.
The punt teams also provided big plays. In the beginning of the fourth quarter Hahnville blocked a punt out of the end zone for a safety to bring the score to 5-0.
Only a series later the punt coverage team would cause Rummel punt return man Henre’ Toliver to fumble at their 30-yard line. Hahnville’s offense could not convert a third down on the next series and the ensuing punt sailed out the end zone for a touchback.
Despite whiffing on the winning touchdown in the waning moments of the game, Hahnville’s defense controlled much of the night and only gave up a few first downs, limiting Rummel to only three plays on most drives.
Only one series prior to the winning play, linebacker Timothy Roberts picked off Rummel starting quarterback Jordan Nami at Rummel’s 45 yard line. Roberts was dominate on the night with numerous tackles for loss and a key sack on a to stop a Rummel drive in the third quarter.
For Rummel, Nami and Fourcade would switch off much of the night with Nami playing on run-heavy series and Fourcade trying his hand at the passing game. With Hahnville’s secondary sticking tight on receivers and consistent pressure by the front eight, Rummel’s offense was virtually non-existent for much of the contest.
On the offensive side of the ball, Keller picked away at the Rummel’s defense early in the game driving down the field on the first series with a number of short passes, converting two third downs and picking up yards with his feet. That series would unfortunately end with one of his two interceptions on the night. His second interception came midway through the second quarter.
Running back Lynn Simmons picked up a number of first downs and had a 25 yard run, but Hahnville had trouble getting the ball into the red zone all night.
Although Rummel’s defense was on the field for much of the night they held in the end and Hahnville was never within easy scoring distance.
Despite throwing two interceptions Keller looked confident in the pocket in comparison to last week’s win over Salmen and the jamboree game versus St. James. The extent of the injury that caused him to miss the end of game is unknown at this time.
Click here to view pictures from tonight’s game.
Hanhville next takes on O.P. Walker at home at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20.
(Update: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated placekicker Craig Ford missed a 41-yard field goal attempt.)
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