Senior experience led Tigers to district championship, playoffs

Hahnville High School head football coach Lou Valdin praised his senior class as they exit the regular season and head into the playoffs.

Valdin has coached many of the players of the class of 2012 for the past three years and in some cases four years.

After the 2012 year started off the worst in Valdin’s 33 years as head coach, it appeared that the season may have been lost, but they came back to win the next five games and take the division title.

“We played a few teams this year that folded their tents before district and we never did,” Valdin said.

Valdin said his team’s ability to come back from adversity had a lot to do with the conduct of his senior class.

“I think that they have belief in themselves and they had belief in their ability. They were a little more disappointed in the first four games,” Valdin said. “They kept this team together – there was no panic once we hit district they knew we had something to play for and they kind of rallied the team.”

Valdin said a big part of the makeup of this year’s seniors is their unselfish attitude.

“You don’t have any of them griping about touches,” Valdin said. “(Tailback) Sergio Medina moved for the benefit of the team–he didn’t know how big that was going to be. It worked out well, especially after being recruited as a defensive player. (Quarterback) Easton Melacon isn’t griping about not throwing the ball more. All they really care about is Hahnville winning the game.”

The 2012 seniors have been on a post-season team every year they have been in the program, however, Valdin said there inability to get past the first round in a few of those seasons has been disheartening.

“It’s been great. They’ve been a pleasure to coach,” Valdin said. “I’m disappointed for them that we haven’t had more success over the past three years. They’ve really been a pleasure to coach.”

Overall, Valdin said he feels the 2012 class has left a positive legacy for underclassmen to emulate.

“One thing you hope is that your senior class is a good example to the younger kids on how to handle themselves in class and adversity,” Valdin said. “How to handle yourself as a Hahnville Tiger with pride and the face of adversity and in the face of defeat and you handle success and adversity in the same way with class.”