Archbishop Hannan ready for challenge of brutal schedule

It is an improving program which must be taken seriously.

Scott Wattigny has done an excellent job at Archbishop Hannan.

In 2018, Wattigny guided the Hawks to the Division II quarterfinals, falling 17-14 to De La Salle just a year after losing 52-14 to the Cavaliers in the round of eight, signifying real progress.

“We moved from an eight-seed to a four-seed in one year and went from playing at a juggernaut in De La Salle in 2017 to hosting De La Salle in 2018 and nearly beating them,” Wattigny said. “That is the progress we are seeking and we want to progress even further. As we get better, it gets tougher to schedule opponents. That said, if you want to build a championship program, you have to play championship programs.”

Back in 2013, Archbishop Hannan reached the Division III state championship game.

There is reason for optimism once again in 2018.

The Hawks return six starters on offense.

Junior Brantley Taylor (6-0, 190) is back to run the offense while junior Jake Dalmado (5-10, 187) returns with experience running back.

“This will be the first returning starting quarterback except for Timmy McDonald in my second year, who got hurt,” Wattigny said. “We have a guy with experience and experience winning in Taylor. I’m really excited about what he can accomplish. It is exciting in that he is just a junior. Jake played a significant amount of snaps last year behind Brendan David. He played very well a year ago. He is a bigger, more solid kid now who can run.”

Junior tight end Spencer Georges (5-10, 200) is another returning starter while senior wide receiver Ezra Travers (5-8, 145) is back as well.

Joining Travers at the receiver spot will be Cade Hontiveros (5-5, 140 Jr.), along with seniors Austin Landeche (6-1, 170) and Colin Palazzalo (6-0, 155).

“Spencer is the brother of Carter Georges, who was very good for us,” Wattigny said. “He is the focal point of the offense. We will move him around to create mismatches. He is good in the passing and running game. Travers is a shifty guy. He is not very big but he has the best set of hands on our football team. Hontiveros is an excellent wrestler but he is a really good football player.”

Up front, a pair of starters return in senior Nicolas Vaccaro (6-0, 244) and senior Grant Windom (6-0, 258). The new offensive line starters include junior Ben Bonnafee (5-10, 245), along with seniors Jackson Bolner (6-1, 195) and Charlie Vincent (6-1, 225).

“Last year, we had to replace a lot of guys up front,” Wattigny said. “This year, we have some experience with Vaccaro and Windom who will anchor the offensive line. Charlie Vincent sat out last year with injuries. He is fully recovered now and we expect really good things from him. We have seven guys who can contribute.”

There is experience returning on defense as well with seven starters returning.

Up front, Eli Calliouet (6-1, 190 Sr.) returns. Senior Izzy Carrera (5-11, 207) and juniors Dalton Arcemont (5-11,190) and Mark Pennison (5-11, 175) and Cullen Jennings (6-0, 190) will join Caillouet.

“Eli and Izzy will be important for us,” Wattigny said. “Carrera moves down from linebacker while Caillouet is solid. We expect to do some really creative things with them. We need seniors at that spot and that is what we have. Jennings, Arcemont and Pennison will man the inside spots. We would like to find two more guys for the rotation.”

At linebacker, junior Wyatt Coffey (5-8, 180) is back while Patrick Rist (6-1, 175) has some experience. Senior Evan Wheat (5-7, 160) and junior Bryce Gregoire (5-10, 175) will man the other spots.

“Coffey was a starter last year and he is going to be our leader,” Wattigny said. “Rist has ability while Wheat and Gregoire are guys we can count on.”

The secondary is very experienced at safety with both starters returning. They include safety Jack Manson (5-8, 160 Sr.) and junior Cory Robinson (5-9, 150 Jr.). The corners are Brian Sisson (5-9, 171 Sr.) and Joseph Difranco (5-11, 160 Jr.).

“Manson played a significant amount of time last year and can line up at outside linebacker for us,” Wattigny said. “Sisson played outside linebacker for us last year. Difranco got some playing time last year while Robinson will be our free safety. We are searching for one more guy to step up in the secondary.”

While the offense and defense should be solid, the third aspect of the game is the one that is keeping Wattigny up nights.

“Our biggest concern is replacing our kicker and punter,” Wattigny said. “Victor Harvey did a great job kicking field goals for us while Jacob Gaude consistently put us in great positions defensively and Daniel Labourdette did a great job as well filling in. We have our work cut out for us in the kicking game. If there is a bright spot, we do return our long snapper in Eric Rabensteiner.”

The schedule is as tough as it has ever been.

Hannan opens on Sept. 6 at Bobby Nuss Stadium against 5A Chalmette before the Hawks entertain always tough Teurlings Catholic on Sept. 13. A tough road trip to 5A Mandeville follows before another difficult home game against Division II power Dunham. Week five has Hannan at St. Michael to conclude the first half of the season.

Then comes a home game against 4A power Lakeshore before the Hawks open District 7-3A play at Bogalusa. Hannan hosts Jewel Sumner in a week eight matchup before traveling to Loranger. The regular season concludes at home against Albany on Nov. 8.

“This was a schedule that was intentionally constructed,” Wattigny said. “When its all said and done, anyone who has a pulse on what we have done the past few seasons understands that we are 20-4 in the last two years. If you want to make a name for yourself, you have to go after playing teams that are top-notch programs.”

Wattigny is pleased with the success his program has enjoyed but is realistic about where his program is, compared to other top teams in the state.

“We are 31-14 in the last four years which is great but at the same time, those 31 wins were not against elite programs,”Wattigny said. “We are trying to develop a culture of winning, year-in and year-out. You want to play quality teams with quality players and quality coaches. We have 3A and 4A schools in our classification. We are the only ones to have to deal with that. When you have to play a St. Thomas More or Evangel in the playoffs, you better play teams that resemble them in the regular season.”

Wattigny knows what it will take to contend for a state title.

“We need to be in the top four in the division to have a shot at a state championship run,” Wattigny said. “This season will put me into my fifth and sixth years, a full cycle of new classes since I arrived. I felt confident that with the players we had returning, it was the right move for us. I think we are ready for this. Our community is really excited about it.”

While the gaudy regular season record may not repeat itself from a year ago, the Hawks should be seasoned and well prepared by the time the 2019 playoffs return.