When St. Thomas More scored a touchdown to go ahead of host Hahnville 42-28 with 2:25 remaining in the fourth quarter, there was little reason to believe the Tigers would emerge with a victory.And yet the Tigers never stopped believing—and, as a result, they emerged with one of the most memorable wins in the history of their program.
Austin Perrin threw two touchdown passes and a two-point conversion pass in the final 2:14 of play, that two-pointer going to Michael Gray for the winning points as Hahnville captured a 43-42 victory in front of a delirious home crowd.
With 19 seconds left, Perrin connected with Waylon LeBlanc for a touchdown pass to make it 42-41, setting up the winning strike to Gray after Hahnville elected to go for two.
“What can you even say, man,” Hahnville coach Nick Saltaformaggio said, shaking his head. “I told them, we need to get that signature win. And we got that signature win. After what we went through last week (in a loss to Destrehan) … this is as great as it gets.”
The win halted a two-game losing streak for Hahnville, which had to pick itself up after losing a classic last week to Destrehan, 31-28. The victory avenged a bitter road defeat to St. Thomas More last season in which the Cougars won 52-12.
The final minutes of this one were wild.
Cougars quarterback Nate Cox connected with Matthew Lagrange for a 6-yard touchdown pass with 2:25 left to play, making it a 42-28 St. Thomas More lead.
Hahnville (3-2) had to strike quickly to have any chance to rally. It took just 11 seconds. Perrin found Anthony Williams, who took it to the house for an 80-yard touchdown and cut the deficit to 42-35.
“We knew what type of game it was,” Perrin said. “They’re a high powered offense. We had to keep doing our thing and keep putting up points.”
The Tigers’ onside kick attempt was unsuccessful, but the defense held firm. A key pass breakup by E’li’jah Brent on third-and-5 at the STM 40 led to the Cougars (2-3) calling on the punt team. But a botched snap instead led to a turnover on downs, with the Tigers taking over at the Cougars 27.
Perrin made sure it wasn’t for naught. He directed an eight play drive capped by a fourth down throw to LeBlanc, who ran a slant into the endzone and hauled in the catch for a 6-yard score.
“A.P. came to the huddle and said go to inside and make the winning catch,” LeBlanc said. “And I just had to convert … All my body was tingling. It’s the best I’ve ever felt, just amazing.”
Added Saltaformaggio, “Waylon’s kinda been a forgotten guy for us, but we know that he’s a really good player. He and Austin been throwing balls to each other since they were knee-high to a grasshopper. It paid off tonight.”
After that, Saltaformaggio decided his team would go for the win right there. Perrin rolled left but found nothing, bought time and threw across his body to Gray, who hauled it in while falling out of the back of the endzone for the game-winner.
“I rolled out, nothing was really there, and I knew I had to make something happen,” Perrin said. “I came back the other way and saw Mike Gray in back of endzone and I was hoping he would make a great play, and that’s what he did.”
Saltaformaggio said the decision to go for two came down to his confidence in his quarterback.
“Austin Perrin is the biggest winner I’ve ever been around in my life,” Saltaformaggio said. And I’m gonna put the ball in his hands every time.”
Both Williams and Devante Clark were questionable to play earlier in the week due to injuries, but each suited up Friday night. Williams had a huge night, rushing for 140 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries while hauling in four receptions for 115 yards. Clark finished with 13 touches for 62 yards. Perrin passed for 297 yards and four touchdowns.
Saltaformaggio told his players after the game that there wasn’t another win in his coaching career he was prouder of.
“We’re a resilient FB team. It’s what we preach, we coach and what we believe in. If there’s a second on the clock, we’re gonna go for it. I just love our kids.”
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