By GEORGE MAHL

BOUTTE – All the pre-game hype involving Hahnville High School and Destrehan High School lived up to expectations. With 50 seconds left in the game, Hahnville quarterback Laron Landry scored on a one-yard keeper over the left side to give the Tigers a thrilling 24-21 victory over the Fighting Wildcats before more than 5,000 fans in Tiger Stadium.

“Our kids played their hearts out tonight. It’s a shame one team had to lose,” said Destrehan head coach Stephen Robicheaux.

During the final drive, the Tigers ran the ball on almost all of time before the scored the final touchdown.

“We ran the ball down their throats on the final drive,” said Hahnville head coach Lou Valdin.

After neither team could do anything offensively during their first two drives, Destrehan was able to put together a nine-play 38-yard drive that ended in quarterback Demarko Hutchinson taking it in from the five.

Key play on the drive was an 11 yard pass completion from Hutchinson to wide receiver Craig Eugene.

The Fighting Wildcats were able to start with good field position because of a partially blocked punt. Hutchinson was on fire during the first quarter. The Destrehan stand-out completed five passes for 81 yards.

The second quarter saw the Fighting Wildcats strike again with 10:59 remaining until halftime. This time Hutchinson connected with Fred Smith for a 68 yard touchdown.

At this point, the Hahnville crowd was silent and in disbelief. However, on their next possession, the Tigers (6-0) went 68 yards on seven plays to pull the home team within a touchdown, 14-7. Landry, a senior, scored his second touchdown of the game on a one yard touchdown run. Landry’s 30-yard pass completion to Darius Reynard put the ball at the Fighting Wildcat five with about 8:00 left in the third.

Hahnville then used excellent ball control as they methodically executed a 15 play, 73 yard drive that resulted in a Alex Romero field goal. This left the Tigers trailing 14-10 at halftime.

Landry, in the third quarter, was again responsible for his team’s score. His third rushing touchdown of the game, this time from the 12-yard line, gave the Tigers the lead, 17-14.

“Laron had a fantastic game for us tonight. We had a lot of players contribute, but he stepped up in a big game situation,” Valdin said.

A 77-yard kickoff, courtesy of Craig Eugene, gave the Fighting Wildcats excellent field position at the Tigers 16. Five plays later, Hutchinson ran the ball in from the one to give Destrehan (5-1) their second lead of the game.

“I think Demarko grew up tonight. He made a lot of things happen for us out there,” Robicheaux said. “I am just proud that our kids played their tails off.”

The game was typical DHS-HHS game. Several games have been decided by a touchdown or less.

“It’s just a classic game that is not to be missed,” said Nan Dufrene of Des Allemands.

“I think the real winners tonight were the fans. I mean the turnout and the excitement was second to none,” said Valdin.

Destrehan plays H.L. Bourgeois Friday and Hahnville will play Terrebonne.

“Tonight’s win is not a big win one if we don’t win the next won,” concluded Valdin.