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When you first look at the Vermilion Catholic/Covenant Christian final score, 57-6, one would think the Eagles were in control all game.
Think again.
At one time, VC was behind 6-0 in the opening minutes of the first period. But that did not last long. The Eagles went on to score 50 first-half points to secure the victory.
VC head coach Broc Prejean was proud of how his team played on Thursday.
“Really proud of how they prepared and approached the week with the same mindset that they have since the jamboree,” he said. “Our guys just love competing, and we talk about ignoring the who of the opponent and focus on enjoying playing football together.
“For our seniors, they are just soaking in all of these opportunities to be under the lights and not take a single one of them for granted as they pass by.”
Covenant fumbled on its first drive, and VC linebacker Ashton Belaire recovered the ball on the CC 20-yard line.
The Eagles’ offense looked off early, with three straight bad snaps to quarterback Jonathan Dartez. Dartez got another bad snap on the third snap and attempted to pick it up and toss it to a running back. However, the ball never got there and rolled on the ground. Instead, a Covenant Christian defender picked up the ball and ran it back 85 yards for a touchdown two minutes into the game.
But no one panicked. VC cleaned up the exchange between quarterback and center.
VC scored on its next possession. The big play on the drive was a 35-yard run by Jonathan Dartez. Travin Moore had two carries, including a three-yard carry for a touchdown at the 8:38 mark in the first period.
VCs’ defense got into the scoring act in the first half.
Defensive backs Travin Moore and Lewis Briggs teamed to block a punt that rolled into the end zone for a safety.
Ross Dartez had a good night running back punts and kickoffs for VC.
Because of the safety, Covington Christian punted the ball to Ross, who ran the ball back 33 yards, which set up VC’s second score.
Running back Tyjh Williams scored from the 7-yard line.
So, in a matter of a minute, VC scored nine points and led 16-6.
On VC’s next possession, the Eagles put together a four-play TD drive that started at the CC 45-yard line.
VC receiver Ethan Landry had to reach high for a Jonathan Dartez pass. However, he came down with it on the 10-yard line and ran it into the endzone for a touchdown.
The play covered 19 yards.
Dane Richoux kicked his third extra point, giving VC a 23-6 lead.
Landry finished the game with five receptions for 79 yards and a score.
At the start of the second quarter, the Eagles put together a 58-yard drive in nine plays.
Moore and Williams had big runs on the drive. In his only carry of the game, Ashton Belaire punched it in from the five-yard line with eight minutes to play in the second period.
After VC scored, Covenant took up shop at their 12-yard line. A bad snap sent the football bouncing around, and Moore scooped up the football and ran it into the end zone untouched, which made it 37-6.
VC’s other two scores in the second quarter were a 27-yard TD reception caught by Ross Dartez, and Moore had a 17-yard TD run.
Moore scored three touchdowns. He had two on offense and one on defense. He rushed for 75 yards on 10 carries.
Jonathan Dartez rushed for 114 yards on six carries. Williams had six carries for 76 yards. He scored twice, both on runs of 7 yards.
Jonathan completed 10 out of 11 passes for 185 yards and two TDs.
Aiden Reed had three catches for 15 yards.
VC had 27 first downs, and CC had only three.
VC rushed for 292 yards, and CC only had eight yards.
VC’s defense held CC to only 26 total yards.
VC (6-0, 2-0) is home again Friday against Jeanerette in a district battle.

January 4, 1963 ~ October 4, 2022

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 7, 2022 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Luke Hebert, 59, who passed away Tuesday October 4, 2022 at Our Lady of Lourdes Heart Hospital. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Jim Broussard, Eric Gaspard, David Laperouse, Nicholas Hebert, Jacque Hebert, and Damien Hebert. He will be laid to rest at Hebert Cemetery with Reverend Matthew Hebert officiating the services.
Luke had a zest for life, he worked hard, played hard, and loved generously. He was the embodiment of the Gospel passage in Luke 3:1, “if you have two shirts, give one to the poor, if you have food, share with those who are hungry.” If you knew Luke and you needed help, he was always there for you.
He is survived by his mother, Anna Belle Prejean Hebert; daughter, Leah Hebert; son, Alex Hebert; step-daughters, Brooke and Brittany; step-son, Christopher; sisters, Mary Comeaux (Randy) and Miriam Conner and her fiancé, Jim Broussard; brothers, Stephen Hebert (Denise), Paul Hebert (Denise), John Hebert (Drusilla), and Deacon Joseph Hebert (Angella); and friend, Cindy Prejean.
He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Joseph Hebert.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Thursday, October 6, 2022 from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Friday, October 7, 2022 from 8:00 AM until 10:45 AM when the procession will depart for the church.
The Hebert family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Our Lady of Lourdes for their loving and compassionate care that Luke received while they tended to his medical needs in his last days.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

What the old rice mill in Abbeville could end up transforming into remains to be seen.
However, officials with the city of Abbeville don’t want to see the facility torn down and scrapped for parts.
On Tuesday, they took a step to potentially keep that from happening, as well as a step that could see the 13-acre property eventually become a vibrant part of the city’s downtown area.
During its regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 20, the Abbeville City Council voted 5-0 to authorize Mayor Roslyn White to execute a letter of intent as a mutual good faith agreement and to exercise reasonable efforts to finalize a Donation Agreement between Riviana Foods, Inc. and the City of Abbeville for the Mill Properties at 405 S. Washington Street and 406 S. Main Street.
Riviana Foods, Inc. owns the properties.
“These are two buildings on a national historical registry and 13 acres in our historic downtown,” White said. “That includes river frontage that is somewhere between 250 and 500 feet of river front.”
Riviana Foods is owned by Ebro Foods, a Spanish corporation. Riviana leased the property to Planters Rice, which ceased operation at the facility two years ago. The mill has sat vacant since.
“They could demolish two buildings on our national historical registry,” White said, “sell it for parts, and possibly put the property up for sale.
While moving toward that plan, Riviana contacted the city in May.
“At some point after talking to them,” White said, “they made an offer to donate the property to the city.”
White acknowledged that such a move could be a challenge for the city.
“It could also be a huge opportunity,” White said.
Tuesday’s non-binding move had that in mind.
“I think it’s prudent that we move forward with at least doing our due diligence,” White said. “It is my recommendation that we actually accept the donation, depending on what the due diligence unveils.
“I think we absolutely should move forward with the signing of this letter of intention.”
Upon signing of the letter of intent, the city will have 60 days to negotiate the execution of a donation with Riviana.
“That actual donation would come back to this council for approval,” White explained.
Members of the council will be able to tour the facility as part of the due-diligence phase.
“We will bring in some experts to look at the structural integrity of the property,” White said.
Developers have already shown interest.
“We would bring them in to let them see,” White said.
If all aspects go according to plan, the city could take ownership of the properties by the end of this year.
Chad LaComb of the Acadiana Planning Commission attended Tuesday’s meeting. He said there are plenty of resources available for whoever would embark on development.
“These are amazing assets,” LaComb said, “having two national registered historical buildings already there and available. With that national registered listing, plus their existence in a state cultural district, whoever redevelops it, as long as they are able to take full advantage of the tax credits, have access to federal and state preservation tax credits. That could cover 40% of the qualified rehab costs.
“That’s a big carrot, which makes it attractive for a potential developer to come in because it covers a good chunk of your cost.”
LaComb said old buildings do come with possible environmental issues.
“There are funds available that could help cover some of those costs,” LaComb said. “That’s another carrot in terms of making these buildings attractive.”
White, who took office for her first term in July, said the city would work closely with the Acadiana Planning Commission through any potential processes. LaComb said the organization has been involved in similar projects in other areas.
“I have been involved with about a half dozen,” LaComb said. “We break it down and run through all the pain points and then make it a jewel.”
Former Mayor Mark Piazza, who attended Tuesday’s meeting, commended the move to looking into receiving the donation.
“This is obviously a monumental undertaking,” Piazza said. “It’s a huge building, right in the middle of downtown Abbeville. If this governing body doesn’t take this task on, nobody else is going to do it. You are going to end up with an empty lot, instead of a beautiful, historic building. My grandfather helped lay the bricks on that building, 120 years ago.
“That (property) is a real treasure that I would hate to see Abbeville lose.”
Piazza’s successor agreed.
“It’s going to take work,” White said, “but you know me, I’m not afraid of hard work. We have an opportunity to make this an attractive deal for the right community partner. And we get an opportunity to control what happens in our historic downtown.
“I will say that it’s a no-brainer that you take it.”

April 11, 1949 - September 5, 2022

We are sad to let you know Barbara “Dianne” Hagood, born on April 11, 1949, passed away after her second courageous fight with cancer on September 5, 2022.
Dianne lived in Abbeville, LA, she was one of five children born to the late Clifton Earl Hagood, Sr. and Mary Kitchell Hagood. Dianne is preceded in death by her uncle James R. Kitchell, Sr. (Heloise "Doll"), her aunts Isabel Kitchell, Louise Kitchell Burroughs, Bird Kitchell Speer, her siblings Clifton Earl Hagood, Jr. and Rose Mary Hagood, and her cousins Howard Speer and Rebecca “Becky” Kitchell Belaire. She will be forever remembered by her brothers Lawrence (Michelle) and William "Bill" (Debbie); her sister-in-law Judy; her #1 nephew and niece; William "Billy" and Amanda "Mandy" Hagood. Dianne will be missed by her first cousins—who were more like siblings as they grew up together—James "Paw Paw" (Marilyn) and  Reed (Beth) Kitchell, along with countless other cousins and friends who were blessed to know her. She also leaves behind her beloved dog, Odette Mary Marie.
Dianne grew up on Charity Street in a house filled with her parents, four siblings, her uncle and his wife and their three kids, and two aunts—there was never a dull moment. She graduated from Abbeville High School in 1967. After moving to Houston she matriculated from University of Houston and began her life-long career as a landman. From Mobil, to WT Offshore, to Ajax Resources—to name a few—she was a powerhouse in this male-dominated field for over 40 years. She was an active member of AAPL, chairing many committees and serving as a Director at the national level and the HAPL regionally.
Outside of her professional career Dianne believed in giving back. She was on the Board of Directors of Cancare, Board of The Chaplaincy Fund at M.D.Anderson, and was a patron of the Houston Opera and Ballet. She was also very active at St. John the Divine serving as a Stephen Minister for over 30 years, Associate Vestry, and Lay Eucharistic Minister. Dianne enjoyed international travel and was lucky enough to visit many countries with various family members—she never met a gift shop she didn’t love.
Dianne will forever be remembered for her friendship and constant generosity. Houston friends and family are invited to a memorial service on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 11am at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard, Houston, TX 77019. Abbeville friends and family are invited to a memorial service on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 11am at the First Presbyterian Church, 109 N Louisiana Street, Abbeville, LA 70510.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Julie Cripe, Sue Haynie, Sabrina Keeler, Beth and Reed Kitchell, Mimi McGehee and Ellen and Donald Popejoy for their friendship and care especially in Dianne’s final days. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St. John the Divine Episcopal Church (Stephen Ministers), 2450 River Oaks Boulevard, Houston, TX 77019 or St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 101 E Vermillion Street, Abbeville, LA 70510.