By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

RESERVE — Hahnville wasn’t about to give up on its season after losing its quarterback to injury. And Hahnville wasn’t willing to cede a win to East St. John after falling behind 12-0 early, not without a fight.

The Tigers had plenty of fight in them — plenty enough, as it turned out, as Hahnville rallied, scoring 21 unanswered, second-half points en route to a 42-26 victory.

It was the first district loss for East St. John this season.

Two defensive touchdowns went a long way toward swinging the game in Hahnville’s favor. Hahnville took its first lead of the night on Jai Knight’s 49-yard interception return. The Tigers extended the lead almost immediately, forcing a fumble on ESJ’s next possession that Fred Brown scooped and scored on late in the third quarter. That put Hahnville up 35-26, and the Tigers rode that momentum wave the rest of the night.

Hahnville (4-3, 2-2) trailed 26-21 at halftime, but shut the Wildcats (4-3, 3-1) out in the second half.

HHS’ Devonte Clark rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Devonte Cravin added two rushing touchdowns of his own. Austin Perrin passed for 102 yards and a touchdown.

For East St. John, Xavier Lewis led the way, passing for 153 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 87 yards. Nigel Anderson rushed for 73. Ahmani Martin scored two touchdowns, one on a run and the other on a reception.  Jarrod Jackson and Shedrick Colbert also each hauled in touchdown receptions.