MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / November 1, 2000

LAPLACE – Destrehan, East St. John and Hahnville all meet familiar faces asthey close out the season Friday night.

Hahnville travels to Thibodaux to play a Tiger team coached by former Hahnville assistant Shawn Preston. Hahnville enters the game at 9-0 overalland 5-0 in district, while Thibodaux is 0-9 overall and 0-5 in district. Hahnvillecan clinch the District 7-5A title outright with a win.

Hahnville is the latest ranked team that Thibodaux has played. Other teamsranked at one time during the season that Thibodaux has played include East St. John, Destrehan, Higgins, Assumption and Terrebonne.Thibodaux is quarterbacked by junior Lance Durham. The backs are WallySanchez and Paul Coleman. Nathan Roger, Mike Wilson, Ernest Harvey andtight end Jeremy Davis make up the receiving corps. The Tigers are big upfront, led by senior tackle Nathan Roger, center David Tucker and guard Steven Bernard.

The same holds true on the defensive line. Jerry Williams and Josh Becnel arethe ends and Shane Burnside the tackle. The linebacking corps includesSanchez, Adam Percle, Stephen Coxen and Trey Wagner. In the secondaryare Wilfred Turner, Jay Fertita, Kenny Lacy and Dontrell Moore.

Darryl Honor scored with five seconds left last year to give Hahnville a 24-21 victory over Thibodaux in the season finale.

Down the bayou, East St. John travels to Galliano to take on South Lafourchein a battle for second place in district. The Wildcats defeated the Tarponstwice last year, including in the bi-district playoffs.

East St. John is 7-2 overall and 4-1 in district, while South Lafourche is 5-4overall and 3-2 in district.

South Lafourche is led by running back/kick returner Walter Nelson. ReubenBilliot, James Rhone and Dustin Parra will also be in the backfield. JuniorJonathan Hanberry is the quarterback and will look to throw to tight ends Michael Bourda and Richard Lynn. The strength of the Tarpons is anoffensive line that includes guard Brand Barrilleaux.

The defense is led by a front line of Parra, Isaac Caine, Shawn Gayton, Mark Breaux and Guy Lefort. Cullen Rebstock, Dustin Dufrene, Brandon Matherneand Derrick Pitre will see action at linebacker. In the secondary are ColbyO’Quin, Sean Melancon and Dustin Gisclair.

East St. John defeated South Lafourche in the regular season finale lastyear, 41-16, as Floyd Smith and Roydel Williams combined on three touchdowns. Those two combined for two more touchdowns a week later asthe Wildcats held on for a 28-20 victory in the Class 5A bi-district playoffs.

Destrehan will host Hammond beginning at 7:30 p.m. The Tornadoes were oneof two teams to defeat the Wildcats last year. Jim Hall kicked a 44-yard fieldgoal with 22 seconds left to give Hammond a 26-25 victory.

Destrehan enters this year’s game at 7-2 overall, while Hammond is also 7-2.

The Hammond offense, led by quarterback Scott Eyster, is stronger than it has been in recent years. Wyatt Vial, Daniel Tompkins and Anthony Andrewspace the rushing attack and are all good receivers coming out of the backfield. But the main targets are wide receiver D.J. Jackson and tight endHynson Lanaux.

There are only four starters back on defense, but all can play. Joe Ray leadsthe push up front from his end position. Nathan Eades is a leader of thelinebacking corps. Cornerback Duke Adams had eight career interceptionsgoing into this year.

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