ROBERT L. LEE

PHOTO: A Sarah Reed High School defender attempts to slow Hahnville High School’s Laron Landry early in the Friday night game. (Photo by Michael Gentry) HAHNVILLE – With rain looming over their shoulders, the Hahnville Tigers opened this season with a 53-20 win against the Sarah Reed Olympians Friday night. The game was a shut-out until the fourth quarter when the Tigers gave up the 20 points. “It was real important to us,” said Hahnville Head Coach Lou Valdin, “that we control the clock and tempo of the game in the first half because we didn’t know what the weather was going to be like.” Hahnville kicked off on time at 7 p.m. and easily regained the ball after holding the Olympians and forcing them to punt. The Tigers pounced from mid-field to the Olympians 20 yard line and on their third play, Lionel Evans scored the first touchdown. Adding to the early six points, the Tigers made a successful two-point-conversion. The Tigers scored on their next possession making it 15-0, then covered their onside kick at mid-field. Hahnville eventually returned to the end zone and finished the first quarter with a score of 22-0. “We jumped on them early,” replied Valdin. “We used the same offense as last season, only threw a little more because Nick Cannon is more of a passer than our last quarterback.” The Olympians relied mostly on their running game, although the Tigers’ defense proved to be insurmountable. Hahnville did not punt until four minutes into the second quarter. The Olympians attempted to turn the tide, marching to the Tigers’10 yardline but fumbled, giving the Tigers possession and eventually another touchdown. Sarah Reed then fumbled on their 17 yardline, allowing a Hahnville field goal as the buzzer mercifully sounded for half time. “I think the game’s exciting because my team is winning,” said Merrid Estay, whose grandson and nephew are sophomores playing for Hahnville. “But, with this score,” she continued, “the coach should let the younger boys get some quality experience playing. If you can win by 1 or 53 points, you still win. With 25 seniors leaving, the coach is going to hurt next year unless these guys get experience.” “It was one of my top priorities to let those sophomores and juniors get some real playing time. Every player played in the second half,” Valdin responded.