By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

BOUTTE — In each of the last two weeks, Hahnville has found itself in position to defeat an extremely talented foe — first Lutcher, then St. Augustine — before letting victory slip away in the second half.

So as Hahnville prepares for another stiff test in McDonogh No. 35 (2-2), the No. 9 ranked team in Class 4A, coach Lou Valdin knows his team can certainly compete. But can it finish?

“That’s what we need to do,” said Valdin. “We need to put four quarters together. That’s what our deal is right now.”

Hahnville led 21-14 against St. Augustine last week after a pair of second quarter touchdown passes by Easton Melancon — first to Ronnie Greene for 30 yards, then one that spanned 47 yards to running back Travis Faucheaux.

But from there things unraveled. Hahnville turned the ball over four times in the second half as the Purple Knights put 26 unanswered second half points on the board, largely behind the running of Leonard Fourette, who scored four touchdowns and tallied 244 total yards on 24 touches.

Jamon Lathers scored on a 77-yard fumble return for HHS (1-3) and Ernest Thompson had 105 total yards, including a 77-yard reception.

Valdin said that the Tigers’ defense has to stop the Roneagles’ rushing attack.

“You can’t let them drive the ball and burn up clock,” he said. “We need to get off the field and give our offense opportunities.”

DUTCHTOWN AT DESTREHAN — The Wildcats go from facing the No. 4 ranked team in Class 5A to the No. 2 squad, as Dutchtown visits Destrehan on Friday.

The Griffins (4-0) are no longer a district foe for the Tigers, but nonetheless represent an important step for the Wildcats after the Wildcats have fallen in consecutive weeks, first to Karr and then to West Jefferson last week.

Dutchtown has won each of its games by at least 13 points and has scored over 32 points in all of them. Defensive back Landon Collins is the player to watch for the Griffins, a blue chip senior prospect.

Destrehan made a comeback effort Friday night after falling behind 26-0. Dillan Dent connected with Ferman Victory for a 10-yard touchdown, then followed up with a Kevin Smith 13-yard touchdown run to make it a 12-point game with less than eight minutes left in the game.

But a West Jefferson interception with less than three minutes remaining all but ended the Wildcats hopes of going 3-1.

West Jefferson saw four different players score, including Jeremy Jamison, Jamal Gilbert, Ronald Lewis and Devin Scott. Jamison scored on an interception return.