Hahnville and John Ehret squared off in what was essentially an elimination game for district championship consideration on Friday night.

And despite a late scare that likely made coach Lou Valdin think back to fourth quarter leads lost of weeks past, the Tigers left their coach believing that it may have learned how to win, as it held firm on a late stand to hold onto a 28-21 win.

HHS forced an incompletion on fourth and goal from the Hahnville 7 on Ehret’s final play, sealing the win.

“I think we’re finally playing four quarters,” said Valdin. “I think our kids would have panicked earlier this season in that situation. But if we’re fortunate enough to get into the playoffs, and if we win next week we’ll be in good shape, I think we’ve got a chance to do some damage.”

It was a good night for Hahnville (5-4, 3-1), as the Tigers also got the help it needed elsewhere to remain a district championship factor. Higgins defeated East St. John to force a three-way tie at 3-1 atop the district between those teams and Hahnville. A Tiger win over Destrehan clinches at least a share of the District 8-5A title.

Ehret’s late game-tying attempt came after Ehret recovered a fumble deep in its own territory as Hahnville tried to run out the clock. Quarterback Easton Melancon made a touchdown-saving tackle. Once Ehret reached the 7, HHS forced three consecutive incompletions to seal the win.

Hahnville led 28-14 in the second half after touchdown passes by Melancon to Ronnie Greene and Jaylon Bryant. But a 76-yard Ehret touchdown put the Patriots (2-6, 2-2) back within striking distance.

Ernest Thompson ran 16 times for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Travis Faucheux also rushed for a score to go with 29 yards.

“And of course,” Valdin said, “Next week is the freakin’ Super Bowl.”

BONNABEL 18, DESTREHAN 14 — Destrehan saw a 14-0 lead slip away Friday night as the Bruins won their first District 8-5A game.

For DHS, it was the team’s seventh straight loss after a 2-0 start.

Kevin Smith scored on runs of 26 and 34 yards to put DHS ahead by two scores.

But Bonnabel (5-3, 1-3) scored on a Roy Bauer touchdown run and a Ryan Evans pass to Troy Lilly, making it 14-12.

DHS (2-7, 0-4) was set to take a lead into halftime, but yet another break went against a Wildcats team in search of any: as time expired in the first half, Donovan Isom’s deep pass was caught and fumbled at the Bonnabel 25; it was scooped up and returned for a score by Arthur Maulet.

Neither team would score in the second half.