LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / September 3, 2000

HAHNVILLE – The Hahnville High Tigers thumped a penalty-cursed Sarah Reed Olympians team with a 37-7 win Friday night.

Next up, the Tigers travel to Ponchatoula.

The first quarter of Friday night’s regular season opener began with the Tigers accepting the kickoff and, with Dawan Landry at the helm, held the Olympians in their own territory for most of the first half, piling up 21 points in the meantime.

Skyler Boyle scored first for Hahnville, with a 2-yard plunge over the middle, only three minutes into the game. During that drive alone, the Olympiansbackpedaled with three offsides penalties.

The extra point kick by place kicker Matt Cummins was good and the Tigers led 7-0.

Hahnville’s defense took the field and immediately was in the face of Reed quarterback Kristopher Whittington, holding him to 93 yards rushing for the night and the Olympians to 217 yards of total offense.

In their initial drive, Reed struggled but never got past its own 35-yard line before punting to the Tigers, who swept in three plays later for their second touchdown, this a 4-yard plunge by Boyle. Again, Cummins’ extra point wasgood, for the 14-0 lead, with 6:20 remaining in the opening quarter.

This possession never saw Reed come past their own 15-yard line before again punting to the eager Tigers, sensing a relatively easy win. Hahnville gotthe ball back with 4:24 on the clock and, after two overshot passes, trotted out Cummins, who succeeded with a 42-yard field goal. This pushed the Tigers into a 17-0 lead with 3:36 remaining to the first quarter.

Reed retained possession for the remainder of the first quarter and into the second, Whittington making a dramatic 39-yard run which pushed the Olympians into scoring position.

Finally, with 8:05 remaining in the half, senior running back Justin Bowens scored for Reed from 12 yards out. Theextra point kick by Alvin Andersonwas good, and the Olympians were on the board, trailing 17-7.

Hahnville bounced back and Dawan Landry burst out of the backfield and rambled up the home sideline in a 75-yard scoring run which brought the hometown fans to their feet, cheering. With Cummins’ kick good, the Tigersenjoyed a 24-7 lead with 7:32 remaining in the half.

Reed was ineffectual, losing three yards in their possession, and punted.

Hahnville was ready and Landry again broke free to the Reed 2-yard line, but a holding call on the Tigers lost the strategic position and it was Charles Taylor who burst through for the score with 2:26 remaining in the half. Theextra point was good, and Hahnville was well up, leading with a 31-7 score.

The second half was low-key in comparison, as wind and lightning from a threatening storm swept the stands and many fans left early, comfortable with the Tigers’ expected victory.

With 6:34 remaining in the third quarter, Hahnville had just been penalized to the Reed 47 with a holding call when Landry let loose with a 53-yard pass, which connected with Mark Young for the touchdown. The snap was bobbledon the extra point, however, and the play broke up without an extra point, which left the Tigers on top, with a 37-7 score.

The remainder of the game was highlighted by defensive efforts on both sides and backup squads taking to the field.

Hahnville led 10-5 on first downs, gained 96 yards by passing and 105 yards by rushing for a total offense of 201 yards. Reed gained 40 yards by passingand 177 yards by rushing for a 217-yard total offense.

However, it was in penalties where the differences showed clearly. Hahnvillehad eight penalties for a loss of 65 yards, while the Olympians piled up 20 penalties, most of them illegal procedure calls, for a loss of 109 yards.

Hahnville was also efficient in their possessions. The Tigers scored their 37points in 8:38 total time of possession. The Olympians had 30:21 totalpossession, but only managed seven points.

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