After a 10-0 start to the season, the Hahnville Tigers seemed like legitimate contenders for the state crown. But as they entered district play, the squad struggled, limping out to a 6-9 finish.
Luckily, the Tigers will get another chance to recapture that early-season magic when the state playoffs get underway this week. Because of some big wins in February and March, Hahnville received the 15th seed in the Class 5A state playoffs and hosted John Ehret on Wednesday. Because the game took place after the Herald-Guide’s press deadline, full information on the game can be found at www.heraldguide.com.
“Getting the chance to host a game in the first round is very important because there’s no bus, you’re sleeping in your own bed and playing in front of your own crowd,” Hahnville head coach Kade Rogers said. “We’re excited to be in the playoffs and you have to give the credit to our kids.”
The Tigers were hoping to go into the playoffs on a winning streak, but suffered a 12-6 loss to East St. John in the final game of the regular season. But Rogers said his players have short memories and don’t like to look back on the past.
“It’s a new season and anything can happen,” he said. “We have gotten the chance to refocus since the East St. John game and the guys are practicing hard. It’s exciting to be in the playoffs and there is a lot on the line and at stake.
“Our older guys see that there days could be numbered and they and the rest of the team are focused on winning.”
If Hahnville beats John Ehret, they will travel to Lafayette to take on second-seeded Lafayette High School. The game will likely take place on Monday.
Right now, Rogers isn’t looking that far ahead.
“Honestly, I haven’t really looked at the bracket,” he said. “The most important game is always the next one on the schedule. Right now we are getting back to the basic fundamentals and staying focused on the next game.”
Rogers said that the grind of playing every other day against top-notch district competition can be draining and that the playoffs are actually welcome relief.
“You can get out of your routine in district because you are playing a game every other day, you have JV and freshman games on your field and you don’t get much time to practice,” he said. “Now, we have gotten a couple of days of solid work in and we are putting more energy into practices.
“All I can ask is that we play hard in the playoffs. If you play hard and lose, then it wasn’t meant to be, but if you give the game away, it’s very tough to take.”
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