Football Preview: Hahnville poised for bigger things in 2021

 
Daniel Luquet knew the kind of job he was stepping into last year.

As the first-year head coach at Hahnville, Luquet, whose family has a rich history in St. Charles Parish schools, understood the lofty, sometimes bordering on unrealistic expectations concerning Hahnville football.

All Luquet must do is to win a state championship annually to please a terrific, rabid fan base.

Of course, that will never happen and the storied Tiger program, which has captured six state championships, has not won a title since 2003. Hahnville did reach the 5A state title game in 2017.

Luquet served as defensive coordinator under Nick Saltaformaggio at Hahnville in 2019 before being elevated when Saltaformaggio left to become the head coach at Holy Cross, his alma mater, in 2020.

Luquet, who played at Destrehan and was an assistant coach of the Wildcats under Steve Robicheaux, previously served as the head coach at Woodlawn of Baton Rouge from 2015-18.

The first season for Luquet with the Tigers was an adjustment.

Dealing with a young squad and with the strange season of the pandemic, the Tigers went 5-4, falling in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs to Ruston after losing to rival Destrehan. The Wildcats went on to beat Ruston in the quarterfinals.

“Looking back at it, I thought that the coaching staff and school put together a plan that was the best plan for us,” Luquet said. “It was about making sure that young men not having a spring could play as many games as possible. I was very pleased with the approach everyone took. We got all the games in. Of course, we wanted to win more but in the grand scheme of things, playing and finishing the season was a blessing.”

The 2021 Tigers will be an improved team, though it must replace starting quarterback Andrew Naquin, who has graduated.

“When you have a guy that has been your quarterback for three years, it is always going to be tough to replace him,” Luquet said. “We feel good about our quarterbacks going into 2021, though.”

The new quarterback is junior Donovan Friloux.

“Donovan has all the talent in the world,” Luquet said. “He brings some skill to the table that we have not had but the experience and poise of Naquin will be missed. Andrew was very good outside the pocket. Donovan can run the ball, by design and otherwise. He has a live arm and can make all the throws. It opens up the playbook for us.”

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Friloux has a pair of excellent receivers to throw to in senior Troy Kendrick (6-1,, 185) and junior Dakota Williams (6-2, 205). Kendrick was outstanding in 2020, catching 43 passes for 578 yards and four touchdowns.

Joining that excellent duo in the spread attack are senior Jeremy Jupiter (6-3, 200), junior Josh Smith (6-3,” 205) and sophomore Titus White (5-10, 170), giving Hahnville depth and great size on the outside.

“We lose Corey Lorio and Collin Zeringue from a year ago who were two-year starters,” Luquet said. “That is talent and experience but we have two of the most talented and athletic guys stepping up in Kendrick and Williams. We will put them on the same side of the field frequently to create matchup issues. We have size on the outside. Troy can run and Dakota is strong. We will put a lot of pressure on defenses and we will throw it.”

The running back spot will split carries among three players, including seniors Cole Vilasenor (5-10, 175) and K’Jon Smith (5-11, 205) and junior Josh Joseph (5-10, 175).

“We have always had that one guy from Pooka Williams to Trey Labranch but we don’t have that guy this year,” Luquet said. “We have three guys that bring a different set of skills to the table. Vilasenor got experience last year. He is strong for his size. His whole family has gone here. Smith played a little last year. He is physical. Joseph is fast and physical. I like where we are at the position. We will play the hot hand.”

Up front, senior Jarian Shelby (6-4, 295) leads the way and he will be joined by seniors Quincey McGuffey (6-2, 250), twins Dominic Taranto (6’1,” 230) and Peyton Taranto (6-1, 230). The other starter is junior Nathan Brevelle (6’0, 260).

“The Taranto twins have been in the program four years and will have their first opportunity to start,” Luquet said. “They are pure Hahnville kids. Brevelle is solid and Jarian is our leader and star player. McGuffey is a senior and we have some competition. We feel solid about the group.”

The defense will change to a 4-2 look with excellent size up 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 the Tigers a talented, big group at the line-of-scrimmage.

“I’ve been a 3-4 coach for years,” Luquet said. “Going into this year, personnel-wise, we fit more into a 4-2. Coach Carey Melvin is most comfortable with this and we have to do what gives our chance to be most successful. We have a very good group up front. Simmons was all-district a year ago and Scott is a three-technique player who can be dominant.”

There are good athletes at linebacker, including seniors Jude Milford (5-11, 200). Darnell Brown (6-2, 225) and J’Syon Joseph (6-1, 185).

“All of our starters are new,” Luquet said. “Milford will play in the middle. We are a lot more athletic at the second level than we were last season. We have better size as well. We are more physical and better tacklers. These young men can get it done. Joseph is a leader for us.”

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

“We have a lot of returning players in the back but we are dealing with injuries,” Luquet said. “We have lost a pair of key players already. We have a of guys. Smith is a leader and our most experienced guy. He is a good technician. Simoneaux will play while Jalen Wells is another who should play. Don’t be surprised to see Kendrick and Williams get some time on defense in the deep as well.”

The kicking and punting duties will be handled by senior Tate White (5-11, 205).

“Tate is back as a three-year starter as our kicker and he will take over punting duties as well,” Luquet said. “We’re excited with him. He has gotten stronger and bigger.”

The schedule includes six home games, opening with West St. John on Sept. 3.

A tough road trip to Mandeville follows before a challenging home contest against Landry.

“West St. John and Hahnville share a border and have family relations,” Luquet said. “So many families cross those borders. We feel it is a good thing for both schools. Going to Mandeville is a challenge. Hutch Gonzales and I played at Southeastern together. Landry is big and athletic under Keenan Lewis. We will find out about ourselves.”

District 7-5A action begins with a bang on Sept. 24, at home against arch-rival Destrehan.

Difficult road games at East St. John and Thibodaux follow before the Tigers face a unique challenge against Division II power De La Salle in a non-district game at Boutte on Oct. 15.

“We likely face the top three teams to beat in our league in the first three district games,” Luquet said. “On the back end of those, De La Salle is a championship level program and a real test before we make our final push toward the playoffs. Having been on both sides, we know the magnitude of the Destrehan game. Coach Marcus Scott and I both wish it came later in the district schedule.”

Hahnville will host H.L. Bourgeois and Central Lafourche in weeks eight and nine before closing the regular season at Terrebonne on Nov. 5.

While the fan-base will continue to have wild expectations, the Tigers have high expectations as well and Luquet is embracing the lofty ambition.

“This is a family at Hahnville,” Luquet said. “I married into a Hahnville family. Coach Bob Gros, Coach (Darren) Barbier, Coach (Lou) Valdin made a huge impact here. Coach (Scott) Hildebrand and Coach Saltaformaggio did as well and got to title games. The entire community embraces our school and our program and we love that. It will be great having full stands again.”

The goal is clear for Luquet.

“We want to make our fan base proud and continue striving to return Hahnville to an elite status,” Luquet said. “If we eliminate mistakes, this can be a good if not very good team. We want to and need to playing Thanksgiving week. You have to be good and you have to be lucky as well. We are hoping for both in 2021.”

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