By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

DESTREHAN — When it comes to St. Charles Parish football, one and only one game matters above all others year in and year out.

And it’s this week.

Hahnville travels to Destrehan Friday night as the local rivals prepare to do battle once again, Stephen Robicheaux’s Wildcats putting their undefeated streak on the line against the visiting Tigers and first-year coach Nick Saltaformaggio.

Destrehan (4-0, 1-0 in District 7-5A) hasn’t had to sweat much in 2014 — nor did the Wildcats for most of the 2013 campaign. A Class 5A semifinalist last season, none of the Wildcats’ nine regular season victories came by less than 25 points. This season, Destrehan has recorded wins by margins of 40, 41, 10 and 25. The offense is as lethal as ever under the direction of quarterback Malcolm Darensbourg, while tailback Will Matthews and receivers Alfred Smith, Kirk Merritt and John Williams have helped him light up the scoreboard.

Hahnville (2-2, 0-1), meanwhile, has been extremely impressive through four games despite just a 2-2 record. The Tigers played in back-to-back triple overtime games to contenders Rummel and Landry-Walker, losing the first and winning the second. Devonte Cravin and Rickey Preston have combined to rush for 426 yards and four touchdowns in Hahnville’s option-based attack. Brandon Singleton is a Georgia Tech commitment and one of the top receivers in the state.  

The Tigers fell last week to an undefeated Thibodaux team, 17-14. HHS played without starting quarterback Mike Neal, who injured his collarbone the week prior. Austin Perrin has taken over in his stead, and nearly led a late rally to victory last week.

Destrehan hasn’t lost a regular season game on the field since 2012 (a postgame forfeiture led to DHS’ lone loss last season).

Hahnville had won four straight over the Wildcats prior to Destrehan’s dominating 49-0 victory in Boutte last season.