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The 2020 high school football season is going to be like no other, thanks to COVID 19.
The season officially gets underway Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with parish teams playing real games.
But before you walk into a high school football stadium in Vermilion Parish, there are new rules to follow before, during and after the game.

Buy tickets now

The state is requiring that each football stadium have only a 25 percent capacity. That means that high schools can only allow 250 people for every 1,000 seats the
stadium sits.
Abbeville has the largest stadium in the parish with a capacity of 4,000. That means the stadium can hold 1,000 fans at 25 percent.
High schools are pre-selling game tickets this week and will not be selling any tickets at the gate.
Tickets are being sold at each school.
Vermilion Catholic plays Abbeville at Wildcat Stadium on Friday.
VC began selling pre-game tickets last week for Friday’s game. As of now, there are 275 pre-game VC tickets sold and today is the final day to purchase them, said VC athletic director Kim Guidry.
On Wednesday, Guidry will contact Abbeville High with the amount of VC pre-sell tickets sold.
Today, if VC sells 300 pre-sell tickets, that leaves Abbeville High with 700 more pre-sell tickets to sell.
A ticket to a VC-AHS game is $8.
Kaplan entertains Church Point on Friday.
Kaplan High has already sold close to 200 pre-sell tickets to Pirate fans and around 150 to Church Point fans. As of Monday, there are only 250 pre-sell tickets left.
North Vermilion will not be playing Friday. Instead, the game has been moved to Saturday and will be played at Wildcat Stadium in Abbeville.
NV will be playing all of its home games at Wildcat Stadium because of the capacity.
The Patriots will have two Saturday home games at Wildcat Stadium and a Friday home game in Wildcat Stadium against Washington Marian.

Superintendent explains

School Superintendent Tommy Byler explained the new high school football guidelines to parents and fans in social media post.
The first thing that is required by everyone who is not playing the game is a face mask.
Byler explained that everyone has to enter the stadium wearing a mask. He also advised fans to go to the concession stand before the game because it will close down at halftime.
Family members can sit next to one another in the bleachers, but they must sit six feet apart from another family.
Byler said if you are not eating or drinking in the stands, a mask must be worn.
If you go downstairs, wear a mask.
Byler said children would not be allowed to play outside the bleachers.
“Our goal is to do what is right,” said Byler. “We want to play eight games this season. We are asking everyone to do your part and follow the mandate.”
There will be no tail-gating before and after the game.

No fans on the field

A tradition in Vermilion Parish has been to let fans onto the field with the players during the football coach’s post-game speech.
That is not happening in the COVID-19 crisis.
Once the game is over, fans will be told to head towards the parking lot. The team will exit the field, as well.

The town of Erath will be seeing a welcome addition to the downtown area later this year! Amy and Taylor Mencacci, (Erath’s current Mayor and his wife) and Tammy and Jason Connor, (one of Erath’s current Alderman / Mayor Pro Tem and his wife) along with family support will be opening a coffee and doughnut shop. What started as an idea between friends has finally become a reality.
The Café has held some great memories along with a long line of Erath owners to say the least. Around 1911 Mr. Olter DuBois started a grocery/meat market and ran the business until the mid 1950’s. At that time, his son Joseph Semar, (Jay) DuBois took over the business until the 1970’s. After Jay’s time running the store, many people had a hand in different businesses in the café. Lud Sonnier, George Dupuis, (ex Erath Mayor) are just a few names associated with the café establishment.
In the 1980’s the building became know as the “Turf”. Jason Connor recalls hearing that there were many many serious card games and multiple tables playing at the same time, “sometimes around the clock,” Connor remembered. In the early 2000’s Weldon Granger purchased the building and promoted famous local legends along with Warren Perrin. Weldon’s father Willis Granger who is 97 years old and still kicking was also one of the living legends honored.
Today, the building is in the final phase of a total makeover and the interior has been totally remolded. “We will have coffee, espresso, latte and cappuccino in our coffee line,” Connor said, “Internet will also be provided for those who want to relax while having coffee.” Connor and Mencacci both agreed that their biggest goal and focus was to have a local place for kids and adults to gather in the mornings or afternoons, evenings and on weekends. “They’ll have a safe place to be locally and parents will know that their children are safe here for studying or even hanging out,” Mencacci said.
Virtual classes will also be easier under the unfortunate circumstances with COVID-19. Children will be able to use the Wifi if they need it.
“We will also offer sandwiches for those who want a quick bite. One of the items Taylor and I are most proud of is our doughnut line, and I think everyone else will be too,” Connor said.
Thinking back to the exceptional doughnuts at Vincent’s Donut King, there is really no comparison to the taste, something that people have missed for many years. Vincent’s doughnuts shut its’ doors 40 years ago after the passing of Floyd Wade, who held the recipe that no one could find; until recently.
“We will be offering the ‘Original Vincent’s Doughnuts’” Connor excitedly mentioned. Tammy Vincent Trahan, the daughter of Floyd Louis Vincent, (Original Owner of Vincent’s Donut King) will be an intricate part of the cafe’s doughnut line, as she will be producing the doughnuts.
Her 38 years of experience and expertise is unquestioned in the doughnut world. Many people still talk about the light flavorful doughnuts that no one can recreate. Having the Vincent’s doughnuts back in Erath will bring back the memories we once had when Floyd Wade Vincent, Tammy’s brother had a drive through doughnut business for 17 years next to Moo Noo’s.
“When I called Tammy, who was a classmate of mine, to see if she would be interested in sharing the recipe, I wasn’t ready for her reply to be better than I expected,” Connor said, “She said to me that not only does she have the recipe, she’ll cook them for us.” It is no question how exciting this was for the new business partners.
A final addition to the café will be the availability of renting out the building after hours for small parties, showers, birthday parties or any other special gatherings. “Taylor and I are very excited to be a part of helping our downtown to continue moving forward. We want the café to provide an atmosphere where you can relax with your family and friends, or just some alone time with your cup of coffee,” Connor said. Both family’s including the Mencacci’s and the Connors will be a part of the day to day business because they want to be a part of Erath’s great community and visit with everyone on a personal level. We are looking forward to seeing all of you in the very near future!
The name of the business? Cafe’ Erath. Cafe’ Erath will not only offer doughnuts, coffee and sandwiches, but also the comfort of a home away from home. The walls of this historic building is the home of many conversations, traditions, laughs and memories and the duo is happy to keep that very dream of continuing the legacy in the town of Erath.
“Bringing back that community spirit means a lot to us and before you know it, the doors to Cafe’ Erath will be open for business.” They plan to open the cafe within the next two months.
Taylor Mencacci and Jason Connor, with the help of their spouses, families and their love for doughnuts, coffee and smiles, are eager to carry on a long legacy to look back on in the years to come. Cafe’ Erath is proud to have such a historic location. “We want to welcome you to our home and our dream to give our community, residents and visitors an experience to remember.”

An Abbeville man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly fired numerous shots at a vehicle that crossed his path.
Roland Bernard III, 28, of Abbeville, has been booked on Attempted 1st-Degree Murder, Illegal Use of Weapons or Dangerous Instrumentalities, Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property and Obstruction of Justice
​On Sept. 26, at approximately 10:45 a.m., officers of the Abbeville Police Department responded to an address on Schlessinger Street in reference to a “Shots Fired” call.
​Officers conducted a subsequent investigation. They learned that Bernard, while drive, allegedly leaned out of his vehicle and fired several rounds into a vehicle that crossed his path. The victim’s vehicle had been struck numerous times.
Patrol officers located Bernard, and took him into custody without incident. They booked Bernard into the Abbeville Police Department. Officers then transported Bernard to the Vermilion Parish Correctional Center.
​The investigation into this incident is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time regarding the incident.
Chief of Police William Spearman would like to commend his officers for a job well done. Chief Spearman would also like to thank the citizens of Abbeville for their support and help they provide to the Abbeville Police Department.
​Chief Spearman would also like to remind all of the citizens that we are there, 24 hours a day, to serve you. We encourage all of our citizens to stay vigilant and contact us if you need. In addition to dialing 911, you can contact us at 893-2511. You may contact our “Tips” line at 892-6777. All callers may remain anonymous. Citizens may also send anonymous tips through the Tip411 system at the department’s Facebook page @ www.facebook.com/AbbevillePolice Department/, the official web page @ www.abbevillepd.com by clicking on the “Submit a Tip” link provided or through the official Abbeville Police Department app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Wednesday’s fundraiser to “Save the Cattle Festival” went well.
Gulf Coast Bank, the Rotary Club of Abbeville and others helped Cattle Festival organizers hold a jambalaya fundraiser in response to this year’s festival having to be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Festival organizers also had to cancel events throughout the year, events that raise funds to keep the Cattle Festival organization going. The fundraiser took place at the Red Barn on Rodeo Road, with people picking up a meal for $7.
The fundraiser did so well that, not only are things on track for the Louisiana Cattle Festival to return in 2021, more people wanted to purchase tickets than were available.
“I want to thank the public for it being such a success,” Cattle Festival President Francis Plaisance said. “I want to apologize for not having more. We sold out.
“The public response was so tremendous.”
Plaisance said this fundraiser helped offset some of the loses from events that had to be canceled. He said another fundraiser is in the works for December, as is a “unique” Cattle Festival T-shirt that will represent 2020.
Along with people stepping up to purchase tickets, Plaisance said the event proved to be a success because of sponsors and volunteers.
“I can’t thank Gulf Coast Bank and the members of the Rotary Club enough,” Plaisance said. “To see the cooperation and joint effort was not only successful, it was a lot of fun.”
Needless to say, this year has not been much fun. Like so many of their peers, Cattle Festival organizers have seen the harsh financial strain during the pandemic.
“You hate to see a point where you don’t know if it will survive,” Plaisanc said. “We were in a position where we didn’t know in what direction we would be able to go. As a result of the help we got and the response from the community, we are able to continue.
“I want the public to know because of their effort, we are able to keep the festival going.”