After trailing by a touchdown the Hahnville Tigers came from behind in the second half with the help of a strong rushing attack to finish off the regular season with a win against the South Lafourche Tarpons.
Hahnville (5-5, 4-3) started the game strong against South Lafourche (5-5, 4-3) as running back Lynn Simmons picked up 40 yards on the ground within the first few plays. Quarterback Dylan Keller, in his first full game at the position since an injury in week two, took a bootleg into the end zone from five yards out to end the opening drive.
Up 7-0 early, the Tigers would hang onto the lead throughout the first quarter, but in the second quarter the Tarpons struck back.
South Lafourche took over halfway through the second quarter on a drive that began with a first down off back-to-back offsides penalties against Hahnville. The Tarpons then peeled off a couple of first down runs before running back Peyton Guidry scored on a 13-yard rush. However, South Lafourche could not convert a two-point conversion and trailed 7-6.
Hahnville’s next series began with a 28-yard return by Ricky Preston, but that would be the most production the Tigers would see as they went three and out and Keller was sacked for an 11-yard loss.
The Tarpons’ offense then drove down the field again, moving the chains off a succession of short rushes. A 13-yard pass, their first completion of the game, was followed by another Guidry rushing touchdown from three yards out. A successful point after attempt made the score 7-13.
To start the second half Hahnville’s defense stuffed South Lafourche’s run attack and forced a punt that nearly turned into a disaster when the catch was muffed, but Hahnville was able to make the recovery.
Quarterback Logan Martindale, who led the offense much of the year while Keller was out, came in for one passing play that fell incomplete. Taking over again, Keller ran wild with a 20-yard rush followed by a 26-yard rush before handing the ball off to Simmons who took it up the sideline and into the end zone from 34-yards out to retake the lead 14-13.
Then the Tigers’ defense stepped up big by forcing a fumble that was recovered by defensive end Ricky Davis. Hahnville’s offense was driving again when Keller threw an interception into the end zone that South Lafourche had the misfortune of returning to only the three-yard line. After losing two yards Tarpons found themselves backed up on their own one-yard line when defensive end Dwaine Thomas made a sack in the end zone for a safety that put the Tigers ahead 16-13.
Hahnville’s defense beat back South Lafourche while their offense scored on the next two possessions off a 47-yard quarterback keeper by Keller and a 37-yard rushing touchdown by Simmons.
The Tarpons came back with a desperation passing attack late in the fourth quarter and picked up a number of first downs before connecting on a 22-yard end zone strike to narrow the score 30-20, but they were not able to recover the ensuing onside kickoff.
With just over a minute left in the game Hahnville ran the clock out for the victory.
Click here to see photos of the game.
With the win Hahnville guaranteed themselves a place in the playoffs. The Tigers will travel to take on Ouachita in the first round on Friday, Nov. 15.
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