Just as he did a year ago, Lutcher coach Tim Detillier called his team’s clash with Hahnville a heavyweight fight. And just as it did a year ago, Lutcher emerged victorious, this time capturing a 42-28 win at home over the Tigers.

“I’ll say this: had we played tonight as we played the first week, Hahnville would have run us out of here,” said Lutcher coach Tim Detillier. “We’re responding to adversity now. We didn’t back then. This was just another back and forth game between Lutcher and Hahnville.”

Both running backs had strong games to lead the way for their teams. Lutcher’s Daniel Taylor drew closer to the school’s all-time rushing mark, tallying 96 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries (Taylor entered the game needing 115 to break the mark). Ahmad White was the workhorse for Hahnville, running 27 times for 174 yards and two scores.

The Tigers (2-1) struck first on a Brian Ensminger pass of 18 yards to tight end Desvon Joseph, putting HHS ahead 7-0 with 8:24 left in the first quarter.

But Lutcher (2-1) would score three times before the end of the quarter to assume control. First, Taylor capped a drive with a 6-yard score to tie the game. Then he’d add a big play through the air as Ruston Matherne found him for a 69-yard touchdown pass.

Finally, with 15 seconds left in the period, Matherne took it in himself from 18 yards away to make it 19-7.

Hahnville climbed back in it on a pair of touchdowns early in the second quarter: first, on Jordon Thompson’s 25-yard interception return, then on White’s 2-yard touchdown plunge, putting HHS ahead 21-19.

“I’m so proud of my guys,” said Detillier. “We had some things go against us tonight, but they just played through it.”

But it would be Hahnville’s last lead. Jared Poche relieved Matherne and threw a 19-yard score to Dorian Semien, then ran in a two-pointer to make it 27-21.

Lutcher began the third quarter hot, scoring on Jordan Batiste’s 42-yard punt return. A defensive return score followed on Jarvis Landry’s 78-yard fumble return, making it 42-21.

White added another score on a 27-yard run, but neither team scored in the fourth quarter.

“It’s early in the season,” Detillier said. “Come Monday, we get back to work. We’ll do what we do. Hahnville will do what they do. And that’s why they’re the program they are, and we’re the program we are.”