Hahnville entered the week off of a dominant win over a perennial contender in E.D. White, but the Tigers had little time to celebrate.
This week brings the District 8-5A opener for the Tigers as it visits Terrebonne Friday night in a matchup of undefeated teams, both of which have district championship aspirations.
Last season saw a back-and-forth offensive shootout in the battle of Tigers, with Calvin Smith’s five touchdown night spelled the difference for Hahnville in a 49-31 victory.
Most of Terrebonne’s team is back this season after it went 8-3 a season ago and the team figures to be among top contenders for the District 8-5A championship once again. Terrebonne is looking to build on a successful season, but one that ended in round one after THS was upset by Chalmette in round one.
It’s been an ascendant program under head coach Tyler Lewis, and one built on the hallmarks of the West St. John Ram teams he starred for as a player: strong play across both lines and big play ability all over the field.
Terrebonne is taking aim at a 4-0 start. A win over Hahnville would be its third over a River Parishes team, with a 24-13 win over Riverside and a 28-8 win over St. James in weeks 1 and 3 respectively. It also posted a 42-3 win over Ellender in Week 2.
Alvin Celestin is back as a do-it-all playmaker. Celestin lines up as a running back and as a wide receiver and is dangerous with the ball.
But Terrebonne’s breakout star this season has been running back Quincy Adams, who Hahnville head coach Greg Boyne said has emerged as a driving force for this offense.
“The offense kind of runs through him now,” Boyne said. “He played some Wildcat quarterback against St. James, got 30 touches and scored four or five times. He reminds me a little bit of Calvin Smith. He’s got good size and they give him the ball in different ways. He’ll play some Wildcat quarterback, they’ll throw him the ball, and then you’ve also got Celestin who they’re creative with. They get him the ball with the bubble screens and quick passes.”
Boyne also had praise for Terrebonne quarterback Owen Oliver, a three-year starter.
“He doesn’t get enough credit as a quarterback. He just seems to make plays every time you put on the film,” said Boyne. “He’s not a 2,500 yard passer but he extends plays with his legs and he’s a big, strong kid.”
He added that he feels like it’s (Oliver’s “fourth or fifth year back there”
“I could have sworn he was a senior last year and I’m thinking, ‘they’re going to have a hard time replacing him.’ Then we went to the scrimmage and I’m like, wait a minute, this kid is back,” Boyne quipped.
Terrebonne’s calling card is along its offensive and defensive lines. This is one of the biggest teams Hahnville will see and Boyne estimated it is the biggest offensive line on the HHS schedule. That line returns three starters, all of which are 285 pounds are above. The group is led by offensive tackle Ryan Mosley.
“And then defensively they’ve got two 300 pound kids on the inside. This is definitely a test for us,” said Boyne.
Defensively, 6’0, 317-pound tackle Julian Coleman anchors the middle for the defense. Coleman has started for Terrebonne since his freshman year – he’s now a senior.
“He’s lost some weight and he’s moving better. He’s much more active and athletic this year,’ Boyne said of Coleman.
Linebacker Mason Coleman also leaps off of film, Boyne said. Coleman was first-team All-District 8-5A as a sophomore.
“He flies around, sideline to sideline making tackles, he’s good in the pass game and he can tackle in the run game,” said Boyne. “We certainly need to account for those two guys.”
Safety Terrance Diggs is another stout playmaker for THS who doubles as a wide receiver on offense.
Both of these teams have eyes on the District 8-5A championship and both represent the district opener for one another.
