Patterson will travel to face Hahnville Friday

The Patterson High School Lumberjacks will face their second Class 5A team in as many weeks as the squad travels to face Hahnville in a 7 p.m. contest Friday.
Patterson fell a week ago in its opener at Class 5A Central Lafourche, 24-13.
While Patterson at one point led 13-6 in the fourth quarter, the lead was short-lived as Central Lafourche’s Anfernee Poindexter returned the ensuing kickoff 82 yards for a score, while Central Lafourche had another score in the game for the final margin.
While the Lumberjacks had just 223 yards of total offense, they surrendered just 212 on defense.
“I thought, defensively, we played well throughout the game,” Patterson head coach Chad Blanchard said. “We ended up giving up a long touchdown at the end of the game, but honestly, the result was probably already determined by then. The kids came out and they played well. We were competitive.”
Quarterback Sirbatian Charles had a good night through the air, completing 12 of 19 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown, while wide receiver Brennan Gouaux had three receptions for 113 yards and a score to lead the receivers.
Tristen Ausama had 18 carries for 52 yards and a score for Patterson’s run game.
Charles’ offense was limited by a wet field and the Central Lafourche defense.
“We had to deal with some weather situations,” Blanchard said. “They had about 3 inches of rain in two hours before the game started, and we struggled with some of that. … We’re still trying to find our identity on offense. We did some good things.
“We struggled running the ball some. A lot of that is contributed to their defense. I think they do a good job with their defensive front seven. They gave us some problems up front, and we need to develop some experience and get better,” Blanchard said.
While Patterson has some pieces back from a year ago, Blanchard said they do have a young team.
“I think a lot of people think we have a pretty experienced team because our quarterback is back and our running back is back and one of our good defensive backs/receivers is back. But we don’t have a whole lot of experience after those guys, and we’re going to have to gain some experience and develop some experience as the season goes on where it really helps us out in district and then hopefully, in the playoffs,” he said.
This week, Patterson will face a Hahnville squad that defeated Woodlawn of Baton Rouge 24-14 a week ago.
“They’re a good 5A school, and we schedule schools like that for a reason,” Blanchard said. “It helps us in the long run. We’ve always believed that. I think the competition helps us.
“I think playing on a big stage like these 5A schools have with some of the attendances that they have at their places, some of the facilities that they have prepares our guys for football in November when the playoffs come around,” Blanchard said.
“Hahnville’s a good team. … We look forward to the challenge. The kids are working hard. They’re excited about it. We’re ready to get this last one past us and move on,” he said.
The Tigers, which run spread and power I on offense, featured a week 1 running attack that had three players top 62 yards rushing. Anthony Williams rushed for 84 yards, Norquell Flowers had 68 yards on the ground and Drew Dunn, 62 yards and a touchdown, according to www.nola.com.
Quarterback Mike Neal threw for 111 yards and a rushing touchdown, the website reported.
“We realize that we have our work cut out for us, and the kids understand what’s at stake,” Blanchard said.
The second-year Patterson coach said he is hoping his team can make plays to stay in the ball game and have a chance at the end to win the game.
Defensively, Hahnville, which plays a 3-4 scheme, surrendered just one touchdown, while the other came via an interception return for a score by Woodlawn, www.nola.com reported.
Depth also will be a factor for the Lumberjacks as Hahnville boasts a bigger roster, and Patterson has some players that play on offense and defense.
That means the Lumberjacks will have to sustain drives on offense and be efficient on defense.
By GEOFF STOUTE
gstoute@daily-review.com