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METAIRIE – Despite being unbeaten and owning the top-seed in the 5A state playoffs, Archbishop Rummel has lacked the measure of respect expected with such accomplishments, largely due to a young offense that has been positively pedestrian for much of the season. Friday night at Joe Yenni Stadium, the Raiders’ offense was positively powerful while the Rummel defense and kicking game was typically terrific as the Raiders whipped eighth-seeded Hahnville 24-7 in the quarterfinals before a packed house of about 8,000 fans.

The Raiders offense gashed the Tigers’ defense for 254 yards rushing, led by senior Amahad Brown, who carried 17 times for 115 yards. Rummel accumulated 282 total yards to 193 total yards for the Tigers.

While the Rummel running attack conjured up memories of many past Rummel teams, the Rummel defense and kicking game were superb, per usual.

The Rummel defense pitched a shutout. Hahnville’s only score came on a fumble recovery for a touchdown by Brion James. For the second consecutive week, the Raiders battered an opposing quarterback. A week ago, it was Jesuit’s Ethan Oddo. This week, it was Hahnville junior Brian Ensminger.

Rummel pummeled Ensminger all night long, sacking him eight times while knocking him down on many other occasions. All-district defensive end Myles O’ Brien was the primary protagonist, sacking Ensminger three times while making nine tackles. “This was truly a team effort you saw. Everyone knows their assignments and played disciplined, solid football. We felt we could be successful if we worked hard and stuck to our plan. Our offense did a very nice job tonight. This is a very close team. We believe we can win. You saw that again tonight,” said O’ Brien.

O’ Brien came up huge on another big play, blocking a field goal and returning it 51 yards to set up a Rummel field goal. Rummel got interceptions from linebacker Chris Randle and cornerback Michael Langley.

After each team failed to score on its first possession of the game, the Rummel defense got a second stop and the offense went to work, driving 76 yards in six plays, scoring on a one-yard run by Damian Williams. Marc Raziano’s extra point made it 7-0 Rummel midway through the first quarter.

After the Rummel defense got another stop, the Hahnville defense picked up its dormant offense. Seeing his first action since getting hurt in week eight at Barbe, Rummel junior quarterback Luke Cartozzo missed connections on an exchange with Amahad Brown, fumbled, and Brion James picked it up and scooted 34-yards for a touchdown. James booted the extra point to tie the game 7-7 late in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Hahnville got a big play when Rummel snapped the ball high on a punt attempt to Raziano, who was downed at his 12-yard line. The Rummel defense got a big stop, forcing a field goal attempt by James. That’s when O’ Brien broke through to block the field goal, scooped it up, and returned it 51 yards, a huge turning point in the game.

Rummel could not move the ball, losing one yard in three plays but Raziano came on to drill a 34-yard field goal to make it 10-7 Rummel at halftime.

The second half belonged to the Raiders, who set the tone early. Rummel took the opening kickoff and marched 69 yards on eight plays, taking 5:54 off the clock. After Williams went out with a slightly sprained ankle, Cartozzo got redemption, carrying around left end for a two-yard touchdown run. Raziano’s extra point made it 17-7 Raiders with 6:06 to play in the third quarter. The big play on the drive included a 32-yard run by Amahad Brown.

While the Rummel defense continued to star, Raziano’s punting kept Hahnville at bay. In the fourth quarter, Rummel eventually gained field position, starting at their own 46-yard line with 5:27 remaining in the game. The Raiders offense put the game away. J.J. Brown raced 29-yards, Liroy Cage ran for 11-yards, and Terrance Jones capped the drive on a nine-yard touchdown jaunt. Raziano’s extra point completed the scoring with Rummel winning 24-7.

For Rummel coach Jay Roth, the win was sweet but not unexpected. “We believed we could win. We believed we could get pressure on their quarterback. Our defense did it again. What else can you say? They have been tremendous all season long. Tonight was no exception. Marc Raziano did an excellent job in the kicking game. Our offense found its stride. We blocked well and our backs did an excellent job of running to open areas and making plays.

“Hahnville is an outstanding team. Lou and his staff do an excellent job. To hold them as well as we did was a true statement about our defense. It was nice to get Luke Cartozzo in the game. He was really down after the fumble. That’s why it was so nice when he scored the touchdown. This was a team effort. We made some mistakes and overcame them. We get to play again next week. We are happy to still be playing and look forward to the challenge next week,” said Roth.

Prior to the game, I asked Hahnville coach Lou Valdin about his biggest concern in facing Rummel. “They don’t lose. They just don’t lose games. They don’t accept losing. That’s what bothers me,” said Valdin. He was prophetic. Rummel is now 13-0, a team that doesn’t understand what losing is. They played well offensively. Their defense shutout a team that came in averaging 41 points on the season, a team that most observers liked to beat Rummel. On this night, Rummel looked every bit the part of the state’s top-seed. “We could not handle their defensive front. They are really, really good on defense. They outplayed us. Jay’s my friend. I hope they win it all. They are a class program,“ said Valdin.

With the victory, Rummel advances to face Westgate at New Iberia next Friday night. Westgate overcame Central 30-27 to earn a spot in the final four. Rummel will be seeking its first-ever appearance in a state title game with a victory. The Raiders will be making their fourth semifinal appearance under Jay Roth, all since 2001. It will be the school’s seventh appearance in the round of four in Rummel history. To truly realize that #1 seed, the Raiders have two more steps to take. Based on the way Rummel played Friday night, it is doubtful that anyone will underestimate them the rest of the way.

FINAL
Rummel 7 3 7 7 24
Hahnville 7 0 0 0 7
RUSHING
Rummel 254 yards
Hahnville 78 yards

PASSING
Rummel 28 yards
Hahnville 113 yards

TURNOVERS
Rummel 1
Hahnville 2
PENALTIES
Rummel 6 for 77 yards
Hahnville 5 for 38 yards
SACKS
Rummel 8
Hahnville 2
INDIVIDUAL RUSHING
RUMMEL
Amahad Brown 17 carries for 115 yards
Terrance Jones 7 carries for 71 yards
J.J. Brown 6 carries for 38 yards
Damian Williams 4 carries for 5 yards and 1 TD
Luke Cartozzo 1 carry for 2 yards and 1 TD
Liroy Cage 2 carries for 23 yards
HAHNVILLE
Alfred Blue 14 carries for 103 yards
Lloyd Richard 2 carries for 5 yards
Brian Ensminger 9 carries, -26 yards
INDIVIDUAL PASSING
RUMMEL
Damian Williams 4 of 29 for 28 yards
HAHNVILLE
Brian Ensminger 13 of 26 for 113 yards, 2 interceptions

INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING
RUMMEL
Corey Murphy 3 catches for 38 yards
Garrett Leroux 1 catch for -10 yards
HAHNVILLE
James Butler 4 catches for 62 yards
Derek Howard 2 catches for 10 yards
Alfred Blue 4 catches for 29 yards
Lloyd Richard 3 catches for 20 yards

RECORDS:
Rummel 13-0
Hahnville 11-2