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Abbeville offensive lineman Hunter Mire raises his hands to signal a touchdown.

Abbeville has ‘fun’ game against Rayville

There are stressful football games, and then there are fun football games. Most football players enjoy playing fun football games.
That was the case Friday night in Abbeville’s lopsided 54-6 win over Class 2A Rayville Hornets.
The Hornets drove four hours from north Louisiana to play the Wildcats.
By the time they got warmed up, Rayville was down 12-0.
Heck, 10 seconds into the game, they were losing 6-0 after Abbeville kick returner Blake Saddler ran the opening kickoff 72 yards for a touchdown.
On Abbeville’s first possession, they marched 49 yards downfield in five plays. The big play on the drive was a 40-yard completion from quarterback Tahj Judge to Saddler.
Tre Green ran two yards for Abbeville’s second TD and a 12-0 lead.
At halftime, the Wildcats had a nice 27-6 lead.
Saddler had 193 all-purpose yards in the first half. He had 63 yards rushing, 55 yards receiving, and he had a 75-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
In the end, Saddler had 136 yards rushing on 11 carries.
With a big lead throughout the game, Abbeville linebacker Jason Alvarez said Friday night’s game was a “fun game.”
“It was a good game for me, but I was having fun out there. We were all having fun out there. We fed off one another,” said Alvarez.
Alvarez said the AHS coaches are now trying to preach to the players to enjoy the game of football instead of just trying to focus on winning.
“If we are going to have fun, then we are going to win,” Alvarez added. “Tonight we enjoyed ourselves, and we had fun.”
The AHS defense held the Hornets to just six points and just over 100 yards of total offense.
Alvarez, who plays outside linebacker, had one of his best games of the year. He had at least five solo tackles, a quarterback sack, a blocked punt, he tackled the punter before he punted. He also forced the Rayville quarterback to fumble while Alvarez had his arms wrapped around his waist. The fumble was for minus 15 yards.
The senior has watched the bad and the good at AHS the last four years.
He said he prefers winning over losing.
“Everything is new to me,” said Alvarez about winning. “There are fans in the stands. My teammates do not argue on the sidelines. We are a team, which is the best thing for us.”
Abbeville had 10 different players carry the pigskin.
Green had six carries for 43 yards and two scores. In the second half, Braylon Moore had five carries for 33 yards.
Abbeville (7-1) is on the road Friday to take on parish-rival Kaplan (3-4).

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Alyse Elia Durbin

ABBEVILLE — Funeral services for Alyse Elia Durbin, 4 years old will be held Tuesday October 26, 2021 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Delcambre, with Father Buddy Breaux officiating.
Visitation will be held Monday October 25, 2021 from 11:30 Am until 9:00 PM and will continue Tuesday from 8:00 AM until time of services. Burial will follow in St. Paul Catholic Cemetery in Abbeville.
Alyse will always be remembered as a fun loving child who loved playing with her brother and sisters. She passed away Friday October 22, 2021 at her residence in Erath surrounded by her loving family.
Alyse is survived by her parents Lacey Durbin and Blake Mire; her siblings Addyson Durbin, A'millia Mire, Alaina Durbin, and Ace Mire; maternal grandparents Enith Fredrick and Troy Durbin; maternal great grandmother Marjory Fredrick and Nancy Durbin; paternal grandmother Tracy Mire; paternal great grandparents Brenda and David Young. She is also survived by numerous aunt and uncles.
Alyse was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather Craig Mire; maternal great grand fathers Earl Fredrick, and Jerry Durbin; and paternal great grandfather Murphy Mire.
Condolences may be sent to the Alyse’s family at www.davidfuneralhome.org
To help the community stay safe we will honor the August 1, 2021 Louisiana Mandates.  All families and their guests are required to wear a face-covering while at the funeral home and church. Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time.
David Funeral Home 316 Charity St.(337) 893-3777 is in charge of arrangements.

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5k Overall winner was Jarrett Comeaux.

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All heart, no shoes. The biggest turnout for the 5th Annual Snap to a Cure 5k. The Snap Fitness and The Kaylee Abigail McLain Memorial Fund collaborated for the event and 553 runners signed up for a cause.

Snap Fitness Maurice, Kaylee Abigail McLain Memorial Fund team up for ‘Snap to a Cure’ 5K

This past Sunday, at North Vermilion High School’s stadium, the 5th annual Snap to a Cure 5K took place.
This year was a collaboration between Snap Fitness Maurice and The Kaylee Abigail McLain Memorial Fund.
For the past six months, race director Matt Landry, Roslyn Simon, and team, have been hard at work, putting time into this event.
“The most difficult thing about putting on any event, is always getting sponsors,” Landry stated. To get local businesses to be a part and to believe in what you're selling is a challenge. This year, was no doubt another challenging year with COVID present. As the race approached, the love of the community poured out and sponsors came with it.”
Key sponsors were G&H Tire, Abbeville Chiropractic Clinic, Faulk’s Repair Services, Ray Chevrolet, Mendoza Ford, Toni and Bubba Broussard, Mouton’s Crawfish, Vermilion Gator Farms, Farm Bureau, Diamond Drywall and Elite Auto. The day finally arrived, where it began cool and breezy, but heated up when the crowed arrived.
“This year was our biggest, with 553 runners signed up.”
The 5K (3.1miles) race began on the NVHS track, and then hit the road where it was no shortage of competitors.
North Vermilion’s own Jarrett Comeaux won the overall race, with a time of 19:36.
Coming behind Comeaux was Chris Guidry (20:48) and Andrew Courville (21:27).
The top female competitors include, Gretchen Leger (23:45), Patricia Redifer (24:45), and Noelle Dore (24:31).
Landry said this year’s goal was not only to raise funds for the new scholarship fund created by The McLain Family, but to have a morning to remember a young girl taken away after a tragic accident nearly a year ago.
“This memorial fund scholarship money will go to a deserving Catholic student in the local area,” Landry added.
The event was put on by Matt and Brooke Landry and Roslyn Simon. Snap Fitness Maurice owners, Zack and Bert Istre welcome all family and friends of Kaylee to come out to Shucks Restaurant in Abbeville, on a date soon to be named where the check will be presented.

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Chris Gautreaux’s two grandchildren, Maggie and Catherine Meaux sit with hm during the meeting.

Gautreaux resigns as Vermilion Parish School Board member to accept Civil Service job with city of Abbeville

It was not how Chris Gautreaux thought his school board member tenure would end. At Thursday night’s school board meeting, Gautreaux announced he would be resigning as a school member in the North Vermilion area.
His resignation will become effective on Nov. 2.
Gautreaux was the longest sitting school board member than the other seven. He has been a school board member for 11 years.
He had to step down because he accepted a Civil Service position with the city of Abbeville. Gautreaux will be the Public Works Director for the city.
Gautreaux was offered the shop earlier in the week but not 100 percent sure he was going to accept it because he knew he would have to resign as a school board member.
Before the Thursday meeting, he decided to take the job.
At the end of his final meeting in board commentary, Gautreaux made the announcement.
Gautreaux’s wife, Lisa, and their two grandchildren, Maggie and Catherine Meaux were at the meeting. During his board member commentary, the grandchildren went to sit with him.
“I did not jump up and make the decision. I am resigning. I thought about it because I gave 11 hard years to the kids of the parish,” said Gautreaux. “I appreciate all of the support everyone in the central office has given me and trusted me.
“The last thing I wanted to do was resign, but I have to do what is best for my family and me.”
Gautreaux said he feels the school system is in a better place than it has been. He praised the board. He also requested that whoever the school board decides to replace him with has to be for the kids, like he was, he added.
Gautreaux played a big part in helping get support workers a recent raise. He admits he was not perfect in how he did things, but he got things done.
“I am proud of some things I have done. Was I perfect? Nobody is perfect,” he said. “I will go on my new journey.”
Each school board member thanked him for his service.
School Board member Laura LeBeouf said, “You fought hard for North Vermilion. “I hope the next person can fight as hard for the North Vermilion schools as you did.”
After Nov. 2, the school board has 20 days to name his replacement. After that, his replacement will remain in office until the regular election in November of 2022.

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Mathilde L “Matsy” Guidry

August 18, 1937 ~ October 21, 2021

ABBEVILLE- A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00AM at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Abbeville on Friday, October 29th, 2021 honoring the life of Mathilde “Matsy” Latour Guidry, 84, who passed away on October 21, 2021 at her residence surrounded by family. She will be laid to rest at St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery #2 with Reverend Louis J. Richard officiating the services.
Our beloved “Mamon” created a home that reflected God’s love and valued all who entered, welcoming all with a warm cup of coffee and an even warmer smile. A native of Abbeville, she proudly graduated from Mt Carmel High School in 1956, and attended SLI. She married the love of her life, Ernie Guidry, in 1958 and together had 5 children, 22 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. Devoted to marriage, family, and faith, their life of Christian love was a witness to all.
She is survived by her children, Laurie Legere (Felix), Greg Guidry (Alexis), Gary Guidry (Dawn), Liz Dartez (Duane) and Catherine Desormeaux (Scott); her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and her sister, Betty Latour Hart.
She was preceded in death by her parents, R.I. “Doc” and “Measie” Latour; her husband, Ernie L. Guidry; and her sister, Virginia Latour Budd.
Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons Andre Legere, Phillip Legere, Matthew Guidry, Eric Guidry, Craig Guidry, Stephan Guidry, Alexander Dartez, and Adam Desormeaux.
Gift bearers for the Offertory of the Mass will be her granddaughters Leah Legere Fisher, Elise Legere Faulk, Amy Guidry Rougelot, Jeannine Guidry, Camille Guidry Arsement, Kalyn Guidry Akers, Madeline Guidry Meche, Anna Dartez, Mattie Dartez, Amelie Desormeaux Tanner, Cecile Desormeaux, Lydia Desormeaux, Marie-Elena Desormeaux, and Ella Desormeaux.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home in Abbeville 209 S. St. Charles St. on Thursday, October 28, 2021 from 2:00pm until 9:00 pm, with a rosary being prayed at 7:00pm; Friday, October 29, 2021 from 8:00am until 10:45 when the procession will depart for church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Vermilion Catholic, a legacy of Mt Carmel.
The family would like to thank her caregivers. The graceful and compassionate care that Mom shared with so many throughout her life was reciprocated to her in her final days through these loving women.
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.

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Abbeville defenders Nalen St. Julien (15), Tayla Wright (52) and Tazarron Stewert (54) have been solid all year.

Good test for Abbeville

Rayville brings 2 top-notch backs

The Class 2A Rayville Hornets (5-2) are making a rare visit to Wildcats Stadium in Abbeville on Friday.
The Hornets and the Wildcats agreed to play one another when Rayville head coach Joeseph Purvis needed a Week 8 opponent. He called his friend and Sterlington High classmate Roderick Moy, looking for Kaplan’s telephone number. Purvis had heard Kaplan was also in search of a Week 8 opponent.
To Purvis’ surprise, the Wildcats needed a Week 8 opponent, as well. Both head coaches agreed to a game, with Rayville traveling to Abbeville for the one game.
Rayville is located in north Louisiana, and the trip will take four hours.
When Purvis agreed to play Abbeville, he did not think he agreed to play a team that is having its best year since 2002.
However, it may be just what the football gods ordered for both teams.
Rayville is 5-2 and No. 25 in the Class 2A power standings.
Abbeville is 6-1 and No. 3 in the Class 3A power standings.
“Abbeville is a great opportunity,” said Coach Purvis. “This is a playoff-style game. That is how we are treating it. It is going to be a good gauge for us playing against Abbeville.
“We are super excited.”
Purvis admitted that most of the Rayville players and assistant coaches could not find Abbeville on a map.
The Rayville coach is impressed with the Wildcats’ size on offense and defense. He said the Wildcats are the biggest team they will play thus far.
Moy is also treating Friday’s game as a playoff game.
“This is a perfect scenario,” said Moy about playing the Hornets. “We are trying to make a run in the playoffs, and Rayville is a great team to play in Week 8.”
The Hornets and the Wildcats run a similar type of offense. Both operate out of the Veer offense.
However, Rayville uses two running backs, whereas the Wildcats have one primary running back.
Rayville‘s two rushers have combined for 1,700 yards in only six games. The Hornets average just under 300 yards a game rushing. Two weeks ago, Rayville rushed for 444 yards in a game. L.D. Wheeler led the way with 30 carries for 279 yards and five TDs.
Coach Moy does not expect a lot of throwing of the football on Friday.
“This game could be over within 90 minutes,” Moy said. “Rayville reminds me a lot of a smaller Carencro because of how well they run the Veer.”
The Wildcats’ defense will have its biggest challenge, trying to stop Rayville’s offense. However, Moy said his plan is simple on defense.
“We are going to play straight up,” Moy said.
Parish-leading rusher Blake Saddler leads the Wildcats. Last week Saddler became Abbeville’s single-season rushing by going over the 1,350-yard mark. He now has 1,390 yards and is averaging 15 yards a carry.
“He has speed and is a great athlete,” said the Rayville head coach. I hope we can keep him bottled up.”

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VC’s Dylan Wiggins (22) stiff armed a Highland defender last week. (photo by Ethan Trangmar)

Vermilion Catholic not overlooking Centerville

One week ago, the VC Eagles demolished Highland Baptist 40-0 to move into a tie for first place in District 8-A with Central Catholic, both teams with a 2-0 district record.
It was also the night that VC unleashed senior quarterback Mikie Bazar, who returned to the field for the first time since the preseason when he sustained a back injury that put him on the shelf for the first six weeks of the season.
In his return, Bazar completed 14-of-29 passes for 349 yards and four touchdowns. The VC senior is set to make his second start tonight as the Eagles play host to Centerville on Senior Night.
“He and the whole team really came out and played well considering it was homecoming and everything surrounding it,” VC coach Broc Prejean said. “With Mikie at quarterback, we were able to see what we had planned to be at the beginning of the season,”
With the win, Vermilion Catholic moved to 4-3 overall and up in the Division IV power rankings to sixth, one behind district rival Central Catholic. The two teams head towards a showdown at Central Catholic in Week 10.
But before the Eagles get to that game, they have to get past Centerville this week and the Bulldogs Wing-T offense.
“I have nothing but respect for Coach Millett (Centerville head coach Mark Millett) and what he’s done there,” Prejean said. “His teams are always going to be physical, and with that offense they run, they give everyone trouble.
“When we played them two years ago, they bled the clock and really tested us, and I expect that they are going to do the same thing Friday night.”
Centerville enters the game with a 2-4 record and 0-2 in the district.
Prejean feels that his Eagles understand that they can’t look past the Central Catholic game this week or next week.
“I know they look at the power rankings and look at the polls and see where we are,” the VC coach said. “But I think they understand that we have to take it one game at a time, and Centerville is the next game. So I tell them that we’re 0-0 right now and that we need to get to 1-0, and I feel the team takes that to heart and plays that way.”

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Erath’s Nate Touchet (12) and Blake Dautreuil (8) team up to tackle a Loranger runner last week.

St. Martinville, Erath: District title on the line

A St. Martinville win puts them in driver’s seat for title

ST MARTINVILLE - It’s all on the line for Erath this Friday night as the Bobcats head out of town to take on the St. Martinville Senior High Tigers in a key District 6-3A contest.
Fresh off of a homecoming win over Loranger, the Bobcats step back into district play against the Tigers with first place in the district on the line and a chance to improve their playoff seeding and take a big step towards an outright district title, the first for the team since the 2005 season.
Erath (6-1, 1-0 district) needs the win to stay unbeaten and boost the power rankings to the top 8 and n line for two home playoff games.
“It’s been a while since we had a home playoff game in the first round,” EHS coach Eric LeBlanc said.
A Bobcat win moves EHS to 2-0 in the district with games left against Crowley and Abbeville.
Erath would be favored against a struggling Crowley squad, and a win over Abbeville gives the Bobcats the district title. Erath shared a district title with Kaplan and SMSH in 2019.
St. Martinville (5-2, 2-0) needs the win to move to 3-0 in the district and clinch no worse than a share of the title with one district game left against Crowley.
“It’s a big game,” Erath coach Eric LeBlanc said. “But we’re not treating this bigger than any other game that we’ve played this year.
“We’re taking everything one game at a time, and we’re practiced that way all week. We want to make sure that we are ready for this game, and then we’ll worry about the next game next week.”
Erath enters the game on a big win streak. After dropping the season opener to Loreauville, the Bobcats have run off six straight wins. During that streak, Erath has averaged just over 31 points per game, not scoring less than 28 points in a single game during that run.
“Our players have found their roles, and our coaches have been able to put them into spots where they can use their talents,” LeBlanc said.
Pulling the trigger for Erath is quarterback Lynkon Romero, who has thrown for 1,478 yards and 16 touchdowns and only six interceptions and is 12th among the statewide leaders in passing.
Coy Broussard is the leading receiver for the Bobcats with 28 catches for 318 yards, while Austin Hebert has 18 catches for 318 yards, Christian Hebert is 17 for 466 and Ethan Landry is 13 for 144.
Leading the way for SMSH is quarterback Tanner Harrison with running back Steven Blanco and receiver Harvey Broussard.
Harrison is the Tigers’ QB who can run and throw. Harrison has rushed for 541 yards on 64 carries and scored nine touchdowns. He’s completed 28 of 55 passes for 387 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions.
“Harrison is dangerous,” LeBlanc said. “We’re going to have to find a way to contain him, so he doesn’t hurt us with his running.”
Other Tiger threats are running back Steven Blanco (51 carries for 532 yards, nine TDs) and receivers Harvey Broussard (15 catches for 219 yards, one TD) and Cullen Charles (9-151, TD).
The Tigers’ offense has also been on a roll, having scored 20 or more points in five games, including 44 points last week in a win over Kaplan. The only times SMSH has been held under 20 points was a forfeit win over Breaux Bridge and 12 points the team scored in a loss to Carencro, a top 10 team in Class 4A.
“We have to play well in every game we play,” LeBlanc said. “But we’re going to have to play well Friday night to have a chance against them.”

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Wildcats No. 3 in power rankings

VC climbs to No. 6, EHS is at No. 13

The Abbeville Wildcats find themselves where no Wildcat team has been before.
The 2021 Wildcats are 6-1 with three games remaining and they find themselves in great shape when it comes to making a first round home playoff game.
In the latest unofficial power rankings, the Wildcats are at No. 3 in the Class 3A power rankings.
If the playoffs were held today, Abbeville would host the first round playoff game. That has not occured in more than 15 years.
The Erath Bobcats (6-1) would also play host to a playoff game today. The Bobcats are at No. 13 in power rankings. The top 16 play home in the first round.
In Division IV, the Vermilion Catholic Eagles (4-3) have climbed in the rankings. Today, the Eagles are at No. 6 and would entertain a first round game.
Ouachita Christian (7-) is No. 1 in Division 4. Central Catholic (4-2) is No. 5. Hanson is No. 18 and Highland Baptist is No. 20.
The Delcambre Panthers find themselves on the bubble in Class 2A.
The Panthers (2-5) are No. 31 and the top 32 make the playoffs.
Loreauville (7-0) is No. 4 in Class 2A.
The Gueydan Bears are in good shape to make the playoffs in Class 1A. The Bears are 2-5 and are at No. 21 in the Class A power rankings.

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Lee Roy St. Amant

ERATH – Memorial services for Lee Roy St.Amant, 61, will be held Saturday October 23, 2021 at 10:00 AM in David Funeral Home with Deacon Keith Duhon officiating.
Visitation will be held Saturday October 23, 2021 from 9:00 AM until time of services.
Lee was a native of Lafayette and a resident of Erath; he was a loving husband, and father and friend to all. Lee passed away Monday October 18, 2021 in Leesville LA.
Survivors include his wife Jackie Porier St.Amant; one son Trevor St.Amant; and his father in law Julien Porier Jr.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents Elex and Lorraine LeBlanc St.Amant; and his mother in law Rose Porier.
Condolences may be sent to the St. Amant family at www.davidfuneralhome.org.
To help the community stay safe we will honor the August 1, 2021 Louisiana Mandates.  All families and their guests are required to wear a face-covering while at the funeral home and church. Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time.
David Funeral Home 209 E. Putnam St. Erath La 337-937-0405 is in charge of arrangements.

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Abbeville Meridional

318 N. Main St.
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: 337-893-4223
Fax: 337-898-9022

The Kaplan Herald

219 North Cushing Avenue
Kaplan, LA 70548