Hahnville is ready for bigger things in 2021 – Crescent City Sports

Daniel Luquet knew what kind of work he took up last year.

As Hahnville’s first year head coach, Luquet, whose family has a rich history in St. Charles parish schools, realized the high, sometimes limited, unrealistic expectations of Hahnville football.

Luquetin just has to win a state championship every year to please a pleasant, furious fan base.

That, of course, never happens, and the Tiger program, which has won six state championships, has not won a title since 2003. Hahnville achieved the 5A state championship game in 2017.

Luquet served as defense coordinator under Nick Saltaformaggio in Hahnville in 2019, before he was promoted when Saltaformaggio left his alma mater as head coach of the Holy Cross in 2020.

Lureh, who played for Destrehan and was Wildcats assistant coach under Steve Robicheaux, previously served as head coach at Baton Rougen Woodlawn from 2015-18.

The first season of Luquet’s Tigers was an adjustment.

The Tigers survived the young team and the strange season 5-4 of the pandemic, dropping in the early round of the Class 5A playoffs to Ruston after losing to rival Destrehan. The Wildcats defeated Ruston in the quarterfinals.

Looking at it, I thought the coaches and the school were making a plan that was the best plan for us, Luquet said. It was about making sure that young men who don’t have the flexibility can play as many games as possible. I was very pleased with everyone’s approach. We got all the games in. Of course we wanted to win more, but with a great attitude, playing and ending the season was a blessing.

By 2021, the Tigers will be an improved team, although it will have to replace graduated starting field player Andrew Naquin.

When you have a guy who has been your quarterback for three years, it’s always hard to replace him, Luquet said. However, we feel good as our 2021 back player.

The new defender is junior Donovan Friloux.

Donovan has all the talents in the world, Luquet said. He brings to the table a skill we haven’t had, but Naquin’s experience and attitude are left out. Andrew was very good out of pocket. Donovan can drive the ball by design and otherwise. He has a living hand and can make all the throws. It opens the game book for us.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Friloux has a couple of excellent receivers to throw at older Troy Kendrick (6-1, 185) and younger Dakota Williams (6-2, 205). Kendrick was excellent in 2020 and got 43 passes for 578 yards and four touches.

This glorious attack is combined with an excellent duo: senior Jeremy Jupiter (6-3, 200), junior Josh Smith (6-3, 205) and sophomore Titus White (5-10, 170) giving Hahnville outside depth and great size.

We lose Corey Lorion and Collin Zeringie a year ago, who were two-year starters, Luquet said. It’s talent and experience, but we have two of the most talented and athletic guys stepping into Kendrick and Williams. We often put them on the same side of the field to create match problems. We have the whole outside. Troy can run and Dakota is strong. We invest a lot in defenses and throw it away.

The return seat will be split between three players, including parents Cole Vilasenor (5-10, 175) and KJon Smith (5-11, 205) and junior Josh Joseph (5-10, 175).

We’ve always had one guy from Pooka Williams to Trey Labranch, but we don’t have that guy this year, Luquet said. We have three guys who bring different skills to the table. Vilasenor gained experience last year. He is strong in size. His whole family has gone here. Smith called a little last year. He is physical. Joseph is fast and physical. I like where we are. Let’s play a hot hand.

In front, senior Jarian Shelby (6-4, 295) leads the way and is accompanied by parents Quincey McGuffey (6-2, 250), twins Dominic Taranto (61, 230) and Peyton Taranto (6-1, 230)). The second starter is the younger Nathan Brevelle (60, 260).

The Taranto twins have been on the program for four years and have their first chance to start, Luquet said. They are pure children of Hahnville. Brevelle is solid and Jaria is the leader and star player. McGuffey is older and we have some competition. We feel solid about the group.

The defense turns into a 4-2 look with an excellent size front, led by senior Chris Scott (6-3, 280) and junior Cincere Simmons (6-3, 240). Seniors Jadden Green (6-0, 275), Dorian Narcisse (6-2, 235) and Wesley Woll (6-1, 225) give Tigers a talented, large group on the front line.

I’ve been a 3-4 year coach for years, Luquet said. This year we are going more 4-2 in terms of staff. Coach Carey Melvin is the nicest here and we need to do what allows us to succeed the best. We have a very good group in front. Simmons was in the whole circuit a year ago and Scott is a three-tech player who can be dominant.

The linebacker has good athletes, including seniors Jude Milford (5-11, 200). Darnell Brown (6-2, 225) and JSyon Joseph (6-1, 185).

All of our beginners are new, Luquet said. Milford plays in the middle. We are much sportier on the second level than we were last season. We also have a better size. We are physical and better fighters. These young men can accomplish it. Joseph is our leader.

There are also good athletes in the secondary class, including seniors Jyran Smith (5-10, 165) and Jerrick Lucas (6-0, 180) as well as juniors Shyrus Collins (6-0, 170) and Sam Simoneaux (5-11, 180) .

We have a lot of returning players behind us, but we’re dealing with injuries, Luquet said. We’ve lost a couple of key players already. We have friends. Smith is a leader and the most experienced guy. He’s a good technician. Simoneaux plays, while Jalen Wells is the second to play. Don’t be surprised to see Kendrick and Williams get time to defend too deep.

Kicking and punching work is handled by Senior Tate White (5-11, 205).

Tate has returned as a three-year starter as a kicker and he will also take on playoffs, Luquet said. Was excited with him. He is stronger and bigger.

The schedule includes six home games that will open with West St. John on September 3rd.

A hard road trip to Mandeville follows before a challenging home race against Landry.

West St.John and Hahnville share a border and are in a family relationship, Luquet said. So many families cross these boundaries. We think it’s a good thing for both schools. Going to Mandeville is a challenge. Hutch Gonzales and I played in the Southeast together. Landry is big and athletic under Keenan Lewis. We get to know about ourselves.

District 7-5A activity begins with an explosion on September 24 against hometown rival Destrehan.

East St. John and Thibodaux will face difficult road games before the Tigers face a unique challenge to Division II strength against De La Salle in a non-district game at Boutte on October 15th.

We’ll likely face the top three teams that win in our league’s first three circuit games, Luquet said. Behind them, De La Salle is a championship-level program and a real test before we make our final push into the playoffs. We’ve been on both sides, and we know the greatness of the Destrehan game. Coach Marcus Scott and I both hope it comes later on the district schedule.

Hahnville hosted HL Bourgeois and Central Lafourche in weeks eight and nine, before the regular season ended in Terrebonne on November 5th.

While the fan base still has wild expectations, the Tigers also have high expectations and Luquet embraces high ambition.

This is a family in Hahnville, Luquet said. I married the Hahnville family. Coach Bob Gros, Coach (Darren) Barbier, Coach (Lou) Valdin made a huge impact. Coach (Scott) Hildebrand and coach Saltaformaggio did the same and made it to the title games. The whole community embraces our school and our program, and we love it. It’s great to have a full stand again.

Luquet’s goal is clear.

We want to make our fan base proud and continue our efforts to restore Hahnville to elite status, Luquet said. If we eliminate mistakes, this can be a good, if not a very good team. We want and we have to play Thanksgiving Week. You have to be good and you also have to be lucky. We hope to have both in 2021.

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