By Claude Adams
Faces Central Lafourche at home
Hahnville’s defense stepped up big last Friday night, first by setting up the only score of the game and then by keeping a talented McDonogh squad from reaching the endzone.
In the Roneagles second possession of the game Tiger linebacker Rochon Thomas stepped in front of an Eric St. Amant pass at the Roneagle 11-yard line with 6:15 remaining in the first quarter. Two Roneagle penalties and 8 seconds later, Hahnville quarterback Early James leapt over a McDonogh 35 defender for a three-yard score. The Tigers led 7-0 after kicker Brandon Larousse’s extra point sailed through the uprights.
The defense stepped up a second time late in the half when St. Amant was picked off a second time, this time by stand out defensive back Shaine Boyle, in the endzone to end a Roneagles threat. Hahnville’s offense controlled the ball the last three minutes of the half and took a 7-0 lead into the locker room.
Coach Lou Valdin was pleased with the play of his defense last week.
“We were very physical. We didn’t make a lot of mistakes. We brought heat with a four-man rush and they had five (lineman) to block our four but our four got to them all night.”
Hahnville’s defense was in the backfield most of the night and kept pressure on St. Amant for the whole evening. The Roneagle running game suffered as well with Tiger defenders consistently in place to meet ball carriers.
The second half featured more sluggish offense by both teams. Part of Hahnville’s offensive woes came due to runningback Ivory Washington sitting out the game with a sprained ankle.
Coach Valdin admits Washington presence was missed, but he said mistakes also tripped up his offense.
“When you get a little drive going and you hold or you jump offside . . . now (TE/RB Jordan) Stepany’s done, he’s out of the offense. You can’t hand him the ball when it’s 2nd and 15.”
Hahnville will play host to former district rival Central Lafourche tomorrow night. Central Lafourche is coming off a 47-9 beating by the Istrouma Indians and is looking to play better versus Hahnville.
Central Lafourche, who finished 4-5 overall last year and 2-4 in District 6-5A, returns some keys players on defense in linebacker Jeremiah LeBouef and safety Derek Bell and returns an experience quarterback in Neil Foret that will look to hookup with receiver Neil Adams.
Coach Valdin looks forward to the progression of the season and feels his offense will improve greatly with time.
“We played a bunch of games last year, but that team graduated. The hurricane really crushed our J.V. season. Our offensive line, they haven’t played football for two seasons since freshman football. So they’re going to get better every week, every week, every week . . . and we may have to win a few like this but they will get better.”
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