Hahnville looks to tune up

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, September 8, 2010

By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

BOUTTE – After notching a 31-27 win over a quality John Ehret squad last week, Hahnville will enter Friday night’s game against Sarah Reed as the heavy favorite.

But Hahnville coach Lou Valdin said there is plenty to work on, and the Reed game is his team’s next chance to do so again under the lights.

“We had a chance to put (Ehret) away a few times and didn’t,” said Valdin. “We didn’t score in the redzone as we should, even though we had it there a bunch of times. We missed two field goals. So our concern is less Sarah Reed, and more Hahnville. We have to find ways to put it in the endzone.”

One major positive was the leadership shown by quarterback Brian Ensminger on Friday night, who completed two big passes in the fourth quarter to Derek Howard, including the 19-yard game-winner.

After Ehret rallied from 10 points down to take the lead, It was a strong response by a player Valdin expects to be the offensive focal point this year.

“He checked off of a run and found the matchup,” said Valdin. “If Derek is singled, Brian’s going to go to that every time. We give him that freedom. Those two plays were the difference in the game.”

DESTREHAN LOOKS TO REGROUP – After a heartbreaking loss on Friday night, Destrehan seeks redemption against a team that handed them a memorable loss a year ago—in fact, the team that snapped the Wildcats’ 30-game winning streak.

Thibodaux comes to Destrehan this week, the second game of DHS’ six game homestand to start the season. The Tigers bested Destrehan 31-21 a year ago behind the efforts of quarterback Trovon Reed, who has since moved on to play at Auburn.

Though Reed is gone, the Thibodaux offense didn’t miss a beat last week in a 50-44 shootout with McDonogh No. 35.

As for the Wildcats, the defense played well on Friday night, but the offense struggled in a 13-12 loss to Helen Cox on Jonell Antoine’s game winning 31-yard field goal.

“It goes back to not executing,” said Destrehan coach Chris Stroud. “There were plays there for us offensively, but we blew some plays, had a few drops, had some struggles on special teams that we didn’t expect to have. Defensively, we played very well … It’ll be tough, but it doesn’t matter if you win by one or lose by one ultimately. You just learn from and correct your mistakes.”