The Hahnville Tigers remain alive in the Class 5A playoffs after storming back from a 26-7 halftime deficit to beat LaGrange in overtime 38-32.
The Gators used a balanced offensive attack to jump all over Hahnville from the opening drive on. LaGrange running backs Aaron Sam and Brandon Williams each had touchdown runs in the first quarter, and Sam caught a 33-yard pass from quarterback Derek Bellard to start the second to put the Gators up 20-0.
Hahnville finally got on the scoreboard with 3:26 left in the half when Brian Ensminger found James Butler open from five yards out. The Hahnville defense even gave the Tiger offense the ball back a minute later, but an Ensminger interception set up the Gators final touchdown of the half.
Like the team has done all season, Hahnville got things together in the second half and poured on the points.
Brion James got the third started with a 26-yard field goal, then Byron Gauthier caught back-to-back touchdown passes from Ensminger to bring the Tigers to within two at 24-26.
Though Hahnville had picked up all of the momentum, LaGrange did start off the fourth with a bang as Bellard found Williams in the flat for a 52-yard pass. But Hahnville answered right back with an Alfred Blue touchdown run on 4th and inches from the 2-yard line.
That score, and subsequent 2-point conversion, pushed the game into overtime, and Ensminger would seal the win with a 1-yard run in the first period to give Hahnville the 38-32 victory.
While Hahnville pulled off a thrilling win, Destrehan saw their dreams dashed by a strong fourth quarter from St. Paul, who went on to win 35-14.
Destrehan stayed close throughout the game, but couldn’t overcome three fourth quarter turnovers.
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