
Hahnville wrapped up an unbeaten District 7-I championship Sunday as it defeated rival Destrehan at Tiger Stadium, 3-0.
Two freshmen got Hahnville going in the second half as Emerson Freese and Landon Martin scored the first two goals of the day after the teams went into halftime in a scoreless tie. Tigers’ leading goal scorer Owen Fontenot took it from there, finding the net for Hahnville’s third and final goal of the day. The goals were assisted by Evan Oubre, Bennett Asperin and Francisco Balderas.
The Tigers have earned the No. 5 seed in Division I and will host Acadiana tonight at 6 p.m. Destrehan, meanwhile, earned the No. 29 seed and will travel to face Catholic-Baton Rouge at 5 p.m. today.
But a trio of hard-fought, physical games against the Wildcats, as well as Hahnville’s recent 2-1 win over H.L. Bourgeois and a 3-1 non-district loss to Central Lafourche on Monday have calibrated the Tigers (13-2-2) for the playoffs, head coach Matt Oubre believes.
“Those last few games had a playoff atmosphere and intensity to them,” said Oubre. “I think we’ll be ready … I have a good feeling our minds will be in the right space and focused on what we need to do.”
He said Destrehan brought the fight to the Tigers.
“That was a tough game … a very emotional, high-energy game,” said Oubre. “Destrehan gave us everything they had and competed the entire game. I don’t think we played our best but I’m very proud of our guys and the fortitude they had to push through.”
Oubre said he thought the Tigers were starting to force things late in the first half as the score remained tied at 0, but that they got back to their game in the second half.
“We were disappointed we hadn’t finished one or two of our chances (in the first half). I think we started to get a little desperate,” Oubre said. “When we started the second half, we played more like we typically play – possession game, keeping the ball, and we ended up scoring early there in the half.”
That got Hahnville going to its 13th win of the season – and of course, the Destrehan game always means that much more.
“Our family across the river,” Oubre said. “A lot of these kids have played against one another over the past few years – they all know each other, and that’s where you have a true rivalry.”
Earning the 5th seed in the playoffs is the latest step upward for the ascending HHS program, after earning the No. 14 seed a season ago and the No. 13 seed two years ago.
Oubre called it a big accomplishment and gave a nod to his seniors – “we’re seeing the fruits of their labor and dedication,” he said. The seeding offers the potential of multiple home playoff games for Hahnville.
But Oubre said he and his players also know what else comes with such a high seed – a bullseye.
“The hard part of a high seed is a target is on our back,” Oubre said. “We need to be aware of that. With the playoffs, you can’t take anything for granted or expect things to go your way, you have to be ready for anything.”