By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

Hahnville outgunned West Jefferson 35-31 Friday night to advance to the regional round of the Class 5A playoffs. Time to savor the victory was fleeting, though: the tigers reward is a date with second seeded and undefeated St. Thomas More.

The Cougars’ resume is as stacked as they come. A 42-17 victory over Acadiana. A 20-19 decision over Evangel. A 37-9 decisive blow over New Iberia. A scoring margin of 438-123. And most recently a first round playoff knockout of Airline, 45-16.

“They’re just big and physical,” said Hahnville coach Lou Valdin. “Their offensive line is big and strong, they knock you off the ball. They’re going to run it right at you. And they capitalize on your mistakes.”

Valdin said that if he had to compare St. Thomas More to any team his team has faced this season, it would have to be top-seeded Dutchtown. The Griffins defeated the Tigers 13-10 last month in Geismar.

“It’s just in how they play,” said Valdin. “Both teams play a smashmouth brand of football.”

To compete with that, Valdin said field position will be a major key.

“we have to play mistake free,” he said. “I don’t know they they’re really a big play offense. They run it, burn up clock, keep you off the field. They don’t make many mistakes and we can’t either.”

Hahnville played the West Jefferson game with heavy hearts. The Tigers lost a teammate Thursday when sophomore linebacker Matt Scaruffi fell to a gunshot wound on Thursday. Hahnville honored Scaruffi in a pregame ceremony.

The Tigers marched on, overcoming a 21-14 halftime deficit.

A Brian Ensminger touchdown pass to Dontrell Strickland tied the score up for Hahnville and a pair of touchdown runs by Treval Dunmiles gave the Tigers a two touchdown lead.

East Jefferson cut the lead to 35-31 after an intentional safety and a late touchdown put nine points on the board after 35 seconds were left in the final quarter, but Hahnville held on to claim victory from there.