Destrehan looking dangerous for playoffs after holding off Hahnville

It typically decides the District 8-5A championship.

This time around, only one of the two St. Charles Parish rivals had a district title in its site.

Hahnville had a shot to win the championship outright with a win at Destrehan Friday night while the Wildcats were playing for a higher seed in the playoffs.

In the end, the home team spoiled the night for the visitors.

Destrehan outlasted Hahnville 23-21 to clinch a top eight seed in the upcoming 5A state playoffs.

Yards were tough to come by as both defenses were outstanding.

Alabama commit Kyle Edwards finished with 17 rushes for 85 yards and earned game Most Valuable Player honors from the Great American Rivalry Series. Damarius Jackson passed for a pair of touchdowns. Defensively, Dylan Whitted had three sacks for Destrehan (7-3, 4-2).

Speaking on The 3 Tailgaters Show on 106.1 FM NASH ICON Saturday morning, Destrehan coach Steve Robicheaux gave credit to his defense and his quarterback for the win and hot streak.

“Our defense is playing well,” Robicheaux said. “Those guys are playing better every week. We feel very good about where the defense is right now. Getting our quarterback back and going has been very important to our recent success.”

Beating Hahnville is important in more ways than one.

“It is a parish rivalry that is very important to fans, alumni, parents and the kids,” Robicheaux said. “Beating Hahnville is always a big deal. It usually means a district championship and typically means a high seed in the playoffs. Hahnville is a good team and to beat them is a confidence builder.”

Darryle Evans finished with 13 carries for 71 yards and two touchdowns for the Tigers (8-2, 5-1). Despite the loss, Hahnville will get a first-round home game, likely to be seeded anywhere from 11th to 13th in Class 5A. After starting 8-0, the Tigers lost their final two games of the regular season.

With the loss and a 21-14 overtime for East St. John over Thibodaux, Hahnville finished in a tie for the district title with East St. John.

Destrehan is a dangerous team, one accustomed to making deep playoff runs and entering the playoffs with three straight wins with an improving defense. The Wildcats are a team that others would prefer avoiding, particularly early in the postseason.

“I like the way we are playing right now,” Robicheaux said. “We know from experience that you have to be playing your best by the postseason and we hope we are that team now. We are ready for the challenge.”