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While he may not have had the flashy stats of some of his Vermilion Catholic teammates, Josh Sagrera’s efforts Friday night in the Eagles’ 40-21 non-district win over Abbeville was almost a perfect capsule of how the Eagles played as a team.
Sagrera rushed for 37 yards and a touchdown, caught three passes for 15 yards and had a sack on defense as the Eagles turned a team effort in beating the Wildcats.
“The first half was a little slow for me, but I was able to find the holes the line opened for me in the second half,” Sagrera said. “The touchdown was good. The line opened up a big hole for me, and I could get past the linebacker and into the endzone.”
And the sack on defense was just at good for him - even if it did cause just a little bit of discomfort.
“I was able to get that sack early in the game, and it knocked the wind out of me, but I was able to get it an get back into the game and make a couple more tackles.”
For Sagrera and the rest of the Eagles, just getting to Friday’s game and playing football was a great relief after going through spring and summer of questions on whether they would play at all.
“After everything that happened and not knowing if we were even going to play this year, to come out here and play and get this W was more than I could ask for,” Sagrera said. “To be out here, playing with my brothers is all I could hope for.”
As for the game, the Eagles matched the slow start from Sagrera and needed about a quarter and a half before getting things going against a Wildcat team that was determined to make them pay for every yard and every score.
For VC (1-0), quarterback Drew Lege threw for 331 yards and three touchdowns, Mike Bazar also threw a touchdown pass and Saul Dartez caught seven passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns. The Eagles pulled away from Abbeville High with three second-quarter touchdowns, including two about 20 seconds apart after a gutsy onside kick recovery after taking a 14-7 lead led to a quick score and a 20-7 advantage with just over four minutes left before halftime.
“We saw something we liked on the first one, and we hoped it would be there on the second one,” said VC head coach Broc Prejean. “Coach Cory (Brody) had a great game-plan for our kickoffs, and it grabbed a little momentum for us. It was big.”
Prejean’s first win as a head coach was sweet and a long-time in coming.
“It was a great team win,” the first-year coach said. “The players and coach showed up to tonight. We knew that Abbeville was going to be a tough opponent. They showed it in their scrimmage, and we knew that they had athletes all over the field. They are a tough team to face. We hit a few plays tonight, and that was the difference.”
Sentiments echoed by first-year Abbeville coach Roderick Moy.
“We moved the ball, we just couldn’t finish drives, and that was the difference in the game,” Moy said. “We always say four of five football plays can be the difference in the game. Those four or five plays go our way, and it could be a 40-40 ball game. We were prepared for a shoot out, but we didn’t do our part.”
But what Abbeville (0-1) did, they did well.
Blake Saddler had 115 yards and two scores rushing the ball and Jaidyn O’Brien threw for 97 yards and a touchdown but also had two interceptions.
Still, it was a good effort, even if it came up short.
“I’m proud of them,” Moy said. “They didn’t quit on me. We came out and answered the ball. VC was just the better team tonight.”
Travin Moore Jr. led VC in rushing with nine carries for 42 yards and a TD. Ashton Belaire had six carries for 30, while Thomas Bellaire had four carries for 20 yards.
Reginald Henderson had four carries for 66 yards for AHS.
Abbeville’s top receivers were Jacorlin Davis (3-43) and Garrick Scott (3-35- TD).

KAPLAN - When the Kaplan Pirates have trouble running the football, that is not a good sign.
On Friday at the Ed Douglas Memorial Stadium, the Pirates tried to run their Wing-T offense against the largest defensive line they will face this year.
The Pirates rushed for only 87 yards en route to a 12-0 loss to the Church Point Bears. The last time the Pirates were shut out in the regular season was in the 2014 season. Church Point beat the Pirates 30-0.
However, the last game Kaplan did not score a point was two years ago against Eunice (19-0) in the Class 3A playoffs.
“We made some mistakes,” said KHS head coach Stephen Lotief. “We played like it was the first game of the year. Now, as coaches, we are going to try to fix our mistakes this week during practice.”
In the first half, the Pirates did not get too close to the end zone. They got to within 37 yards but not any closer.
On the other hand, the Bears (1-0) scored their first points on a 69-yard pass play. Quarterback Andy Briceno connected with Khale Babideaux, who outran the Kaplan defense.
The Pirates were in the game at halftime, down 6-0. However, Church Point dominated offensive possessions. The Bears ran 22 plays to Kaplan’s 14.
Church Point took a 12-0 lead at the start of the second half thanks to a Kaplan fumble.
Church Point’s Ethan Castille picked up the rolling ball and ran it back 52 yards for a touchdown.
Ahead 12-0 after three periods, the Bears had a chance to put the game away at the start of the fourth frame.
The Bears were driving and were 15 yards from scoring what would have been their third touchdown, but they fumbled, and Kaplan recovered.
Kaplan’s safety Mason Frick was injured on the fumble and went to the sideline. Frick is also Kaplan’s starting quarterback.
Kaplan’s back up quarterback Raine Mire hit a wide-open Rhen Renfrow for a 50-yard pass on the first place from scrimmage. That was the Pirates’ longest play of the game.
The Pirates could smell the end zone because they got within 20 yards from it. However, Kaplan’s offense went backwards instead of forward. Church Point’s Jamarion Citizen had a sack that resulted in a 15-yard loss.
Kaplan’s top ball carriers were Caden Campisi (14 carries - 41 yards), Drake LeJeune (13-15) and Hayes Abshire (6-9).
Mason Frick completed two passes on eight attempts for 25 yards.
Campisi had an 18-yard reception and Eliot Bourque had one catch for 7 yards.
The Pirates (0-1) will be on the road on Friday to battle VC (1-0).

ABBEVILLE – A Homegoing Celebration for Gerald Bernard, 83, will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 1:00 PM at St. Mary’s Congregational Church, 213 South Louisiana St., Abbeville, LA. Pastor Kevin Williams will officiate the services.
Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM and conclude at 1:00 PM on Saturday at the church.
His earthly vessel will be laid to rest in St. Paul Catholic Cemetery, Abbeville, LA.
Gerald Bernard was born on Friday, September 17, 1937 to the union of the late Roger Bernard, Sr. and Nolia Arthur Bernard in Erath, LA. He was a graduate of Herod High School, Class of 1955, where he was a star quarterback.
In early adult years, he meet Shirley Plowden and they were later married on October 23, 1965 and they were blessed with four children. He then began employment with Vermilion Parish School Board. He retired after dedicating more than 30 years of service to Herod Elementary School.
He enjoyed working with youth and committed himself to mentoring them from JPTA and organized his own clean-up team for the up-keeping of the community. He continued his athleticism and love for youth by coaching girls softball and led them to national championships for many years.
Gerald confessed a hope in Christ and was a lifelong member of St. Mary Congregational Church where he served faithfully as a deacon for many years. He enjoyed spending time with his family for whom he loved to barbecue for. His many hobbies include fishing, with his son-in-law, grandsons and Hubert, watching sports and CNN religiously and riding his scooter to Cracker Barrel. He was a selfless soul, willing to help anyone, at any time, with anything they needed.
In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by six siblings, Eleanor Henderson, Rogers Bernard, Jr., Curtis Bernard, Chester Bernard, Gloria Brown, Joseph Bernard and Chester Bernard and his father and mother-in-law, Cleveland Plowden, Sr. and Nona Nolan Plowden. Gerald was transitioned from labor to reward on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 in Abbeville, LA and now rests in the presence of our Lord.
Gerald leaves to celebrate his life and legacy with his wife of nearly 55 years, Shirley Ann Plowden-Bernard of Abbeville, LA; he was a loving father to his four children, Nona Powell and her husband, Alonzo, Sr., both of Lafayette, LA, Stacey Bernard, Natalie Bernard and Galen Bernard, all of Abbeville, LA; one brother, Roland Bernard of Abbeville, LA; four grandchildren, Alonzo (Royah) Powell, Jr., Gerren Powell and Drake Powell, all of Lafayette, LA, Braden Sellers of Meaux, LA; two great-grandchildren, Lei’Anni Powell and Carson Patterson; three godchildren, Karen Henderson (niece), Terry Hall and Glen Plowden, Jr., all of Abbeville, LA his in-laws, Annie Fusilier of Maurice, LA, Glen (Lucy) Plowden, Sr., Patricia Plowden and Beverly (Joseph) Butcher, all of Abbeville, LA; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends who will miss him, but comforted that “precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”
Personal condolences may be expressed to the family on our website: carneyfuneralhome.net
Arrangements are entrusted to Carney Funeral Home of Lafayette, LA.

March 5, 1944 ~ September 28, 2020

KAPLAN — Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan honoring the life of Louissy Jean Romero, Jr., 76, who died Monday, September 28, 2020 at his residence, with Deacon Brian Istre officiating the services.
He is survived by his fiancée, Vickie Pelletier; his two sons, Joel E. Romero and his wife, Peggy of Cow Island and Jonathan D. Romero and his wife, Dana of Meaux; his daughter, Jennifer A. Romero and her husband, Timothy Faul of Cow Island; his four grandchildren, Austin, Alex, Lily, and Ava; his two great grandchildren, Brooklynne and Oakleigh; his two sisters, Judy McDuffe of Hemphill, TX and Cindy Dyas of Franklin; and his three brothers, Glenn Romero of Kaplan, Brian Romero of Kaplan, and Kenneth Romero of Kaplan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Louissey Jean Romero, Sr. and the former Gena Dartez Bourque; his granddaughter, Brooklynne Romero; his grandson, Matthew Romero; his brother, Jimmy Romero; his stepdaughter, Karla Thompson; and his former spouse, Dianna Mouton Romero.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Friday, October 2, 2020 from 11:00 AM until 10:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Saturday, October 3, 2020 from 8:00 AM until the time of the services at 11:00 AM.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Romero family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.