RSS Feed

Article Image Alt Text

North Vermilion’s Zoe Harrington goes up for the kill against Plaquemine.

Article Image Alt Text

North Vermilion’s Mackenzie Turner gets ready to serve against Plaquemine. (photo by Rosco Harrington)

North Vermilion volleyball team advances to second round

LEROY – The No. 13 North Vermilion Lady Patriots ended a seven-year playoff drought Wednesday with a three-set victory over the No. 20 Plaquemine Lady Green Devils in the Bi-District Round of the 2024 LHSAA Division II Volleyball Playoffs, 25-8, 25-5, 25-14.
The Lady Pats (15-6) advanced past the first round for the first time since 2016. They had lost six consecutive playoff games. For head coach Ashly Boudreaux and the senior class, ending that streak was the goal.
“They had something to prove,” Boudreaux said. “We went through the history books and learned it had been seven years since North Vermilion won a volleyball playoff game. They made up their minds they were going to end it, and they did.”
Senior Libero Mackenzie Turner still can’t fathom that their dream is now their reality. She credited the work they put in and their head coach for pushing them.
“When coach Ashly came in, she had us working all day, every day, as much as we could,” said senior Libero, Mackenzie Turner. “We worked so hard since our freshman year for this. We still can’t believe we just won a playoff game. This is so amazing.”
North Vermilion stormed out of that gate and never let up. They jumped out to a 5-0 lead in set one, expanded it to 18-8 and then scored the last seven points of the set to take a 1-0 lead.
The Lady Pats kept the momentum going in the second set, jumping out to an 8-4 advantage. NV then went on a 13-0 run to take a commanding 21-4 lead. They outscored the Lady Green Devils 4-1 the rest of the way to go up 2-0.
In the final set, NV jumped out to a 10-7 lead before going on another run. The Lady Pats again scored 13-unanswered points to open a 23-7 lead. This time Plaquemine put up a fight, outscoring NV 7-2 the rest of the way. But it was too little too late as NV won the set by 11 and the match 3-0.
In round two, North Vermilion will be looking to make history as the they’ve never won a second-round match. From 2013-2016, they lost four-consecutive matches in the second round. They will play the winner of No. 4 Lakeshore and No. 29 A.J. Ellender.
“We’re going to have to show up with the same intensity and play our hearts out,” Boudreaux said. “They play tomorrow night, and anything can happen, but we’ll probably play Lakeshore. They beat STM earlier this year, and we’ll have to travel there.
“We’re ready to play a 1, 2, 3, or 4. We’ve already played with those teams this year. We know what to expect. If we want to win, we’ll have to keep doing what we been doing. We’ll have to stay together and play our hearts out. It can be done.”
A second-round win is almost too much for Turner to comprehend.
“We’ll be jumping over rainbows,” she exclaimed.

Article Image Alt Text

President Elect Donald Trump

Donald Trump wins in Vermilion Parish and state

Vermilion Parish voted to elect Donald Trump to the White House.
On Tuesday, with the help of Vermilion Parish and the state, Trump won the national election.
He received 21,510 votes in Vermilion Parish and 1,208,233 votes across Louisiana.
In contrast, Kamala Harris garnered 4,637 votes in the parish and 766,405 votes in the state.

Here is how Vermilion Parish voted for the president and U.S. Representative races.

President’s Race

Donald Trump........ 21,510
Kamala Harris.........4,637
Robert F. Kennedy....77
Chase Oliver.............61

U.S. Representative Race

Clay Higgins............19,975
Priscilla Gonzalez....2,914
Sadi Summerlin......984
“Xan” John............755

Article Image Alt Text

Vermilion Parish voters approve two Police Jury tax renewals

Vermilion Parish Police Jury President Mark Poché stated that when Vermilion Parish voters rejected the renewal of two tax proposals in April, the police jury did not effectively promote the renewals.
In an unexpected move, the jury placed the two defeated tax renewals back on the ballot. Fortunately, the second attempt was successful, as parish voters approved both renewals on Tuesday.

Here are the parish propositions.

Parishwide Proposition – 3.26 Mills Renewal
“Shall the Parish of Vermilion, State of Louisiana (the “Parish”), continue to levy a special tax of 3.26 mills on all property subject to taxation in the Parish (an estimated $1,106,600 expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of 10 years, beginning with the year 2025 and ending with the year 2034, for the purpose of maintaining and keeping in repair the public roads and highways of the Parish?”

Here are the results of the Nov. 5 election:

Yes – 14,056 (57 percent)
No – 10,707 (43 percent)

Sub-Road District No. 1 of Road District No. 2 – 5.06 Mills Renewal
“Shall Sub-Road District No. 1 of Road District No. 2 of the Parish of Vermilion, State of Louisiana (the “District”), continue to levy a special tax of 5.06 mills on all property subject to taxation in the District (an estimated $416,700 expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of 10 years, beginning with the year 2025 and ending with the year 2034, for the purpose of maintaining the roads in the District?”

Here are the results of the Nov. 5 election:
Yes – 3,287 (53 percent)
No – 2,885 (47 percent)

Article Image Alt Text

Kevin Michael Gayle, Sr.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at a 2:30 p.m. Liturgy of the Word Service in Martin & Castille's La Fleur de Lis Chapel in Lafayette, for Kevin Michael Gayle, Sr., age 74, who passed away on Friday, November 1, 2024, at his residence in Lafayette.
The family requests that visitation be observed in Martin & Castille's SOUTHSIDE Location on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and will continue on Thursday from 11 a.m. until time of services. A Rosary will be recited on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. in the funeral home led by Deacon Joseph Hebert.
Reverend Joshua Guillory will officiate at the services. A private inurnment will be held at a later date in Consolata Cemetery in Lake Charles.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 53 years, Betty “B.G.” Harris Gayle; his son, Kevin M. Gayle, Jr., and his wife, Tiffany; two grandchildren, Brianna Katherine Gayle and Kevin “Michael” Gayle, III; and nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Margaret “Mitzi” Gayle; and two brothers, Sean Gayle and his wife, Patty, and Dr. Terrance Gayle.
Kevin Michael Gayle, Sr., a devoted family man, beloved grandfather, and adventurous soul, was a native of Gueydan, Louisiana. Kevin’s life was rich with meaningful experiences, marked by a deep commitment to family, community, and a spirit of exploration.
After graduating from Gueydan High School, Kevin attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana (U.S.L.), where he earned both his undergraduate and master’s degrees. Kevin embarked on a career that took him across the globe. He spent several years in Brazil managing rice farm operations and later moved to Puerto Rico, where he led a rice packaging company. In each role, he brought his characteristic dedication and enthusiasm, leaving a lasting impact on every place he called home.
Beyond his professional achievements, Kevin found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He was an avid golfer, a passionate hunter, and a connoisseur of Celtic music, a genre that connected him to his heritage and brought him peace. Known for his discerning taste, Kevin cherished these interests as essential parts of his life.
Above all, Kevin was a fantastic grandfather, rarely missing his grandchildren’s sporting events. He celebrated each milestone with unwavering pride, offering encouragement, love, and support that will forever remain with them.
Kevin’s life was filled with purpose, joy, and a profound love for his family and community. His memory will be cherished and his legacy honored by all who were fortunate to know him.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Christopher Giggar, Logan Abshire, Lane Giggar, Mike Abshire, James Gayle, Dale Harris, and Donald Theriot.
The Gayle family would like to extend their appreciation to the team at Hope Hospice and Leading Home Care, especially Julie Guilliot.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Kevin Michael Gayle, Sr. may be made to: American Cancer Society, https://donate.cancer.org, 1-800-227-2345, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741; Miles Perret Cancer Services, https://www.milesperret.org/donate, 337-984-1920, 2130 Kaliste Saloom Rd., Lafayette, LA 70508; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude, (800) 805-5856, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105. Each contribution will honor Kevin’s memory and support causes meaningful to him and his family.
View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com.
Martin & Castille - SOUTHSIDE, 600 E. Farrel Road, Lafayette, Louisiana 70508, 337-984-2811.

Article Image Alt Text

June McGinn

June McGinn, a lover of nature and good humor, died peacefully at her home in Lafayette on Oct. 30. She was 86. She was a remarkably strong person, a single mother who raised three children and a survivor of cancer.
June, born Rita Junell Hebert, had a powerful curiosity about the world. She was especially passionate about nature. She was an avid birder, gardener and conservationist. An enthusiastic traveler, her many voyages took her across the US, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa and New Zealand.
At the same time, her favorite place to be was at her home, surrounded by loved ones, cooking a feast of rice and gravy for them, laughing at their funny stories and sharing her own.
She’d been a champion debater at Abbeville High School, along with her partner and close friend Dean O’Dea, an experience that sparked her lifelong devotion to good diction and critical thinking.
Raised in Abbeville, the daughter of homemaker Gladys McEvers Hebert and Kossuth “Goulou” Hebert, the long-time proprietor of Hebert’s Seafood and Steakhouse in Nunez.
After graduating from Abbeville High School, she moved with her brother Tim and mother to Lafayette. There, she attended Spencer Business College before going to work as a secretary. She had her three children with her first husband, Allen Beyer.
After the couple divorced, she worked for the oilfield service company Camco and later as an executive secretary and accountant to entrepreneur Ferdie McGinn, whom she married in 1979.
After Ferdie McGinn’s death in 1986, she was a co-owner and manager of Acadiana Travel. Later, she managed the law offices of Pat Juneau and then of her son, Bret Beyer, Sr. She had a strong work ethic and worked full-time until she was 77.
She is survived by her son Damon Beyer and his wife Cindy, her daughter Lisa Beyer, her son Bret Beyer and his wife Erin, her grandchildren Anna, Christopher, Drew, Coby, Annie, Nicholas and Cassie, Christopher’s wife Pili, Annie’s husband Will, and her great grandson Paul.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 2:30 PM at Delhomme Funeral Home - Bertrand. Visitation will be from 1:30 PM until time of service.
Personal condolences may be sent to the McGinn family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com.
Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Article Image Alt Text

Jonathan Dartez (1) and the VC Eagles improve to 9-0 with a win over Gueydan.

Vermilion Catholic gets road win in Gueydan

GUEYDAN - The  Vermilion Catholic Eagles jumped out to a 42-0 first-quarter lead and cruised to a 56-0 district win against the Gueydan Bears on Friday. 
The win improves the Eagles’ record to 9-0. With one more game to play, they are ranked No.1 in the Division IV Select PowerPoint standings.
Catholic Point Coupee (9-0) is No. 2, while Ascension Catholic (7-1) is No. 3.
VC entertains Westminster Christian -Lafayette (7-2) on Friday.
In Gueydan, the Eagles were on the scoreboard two minutes into the game.
VC quarterback Jonathan Dartez connected with Hudson Hebert on a five-yard TD reception.  Luke McLain kicked the first of his eight extra points for the Eagles.
VC was back in the end zone on Dartez’s 68-yard touchdown run.  Dartez had only three carries in the game but finished with 68 yards rushing.
Caleb Guidry led VC in rushing with six carries for 68 yards, scoring twice: a four-yard TD run and a 33-yard TD run.
Luke McLain had one carry for a 50-yard touchdown run.
Ty Leblanc had three carries for 21 yards for VC.
Throwing the football, Dartez was a perfect 7-for-7 for 101 yards and three touchdowns. 
Hudson Hebert led VC with three catches for 65 yards and a touchdown.
Will Simon had two catches for 16 yards. Other Eagles with catches were Allen McLain III (1-20, TD), and Wyatt Bertrand (1-2) 
Slade Broussard led Gueydan with three carries for nine yards.

Article Image Alt Text

Daylon Landry scores a touchdown for Kaplan.

Article Image Alt Text

The Kaplan Pirates fall to 6-2 on the year and they will entertain St. Martinville on Friday.

Article Image Alt Text

Kaplan's Owen Marceaux (9) celebrates with Wyatt Bourque (70) after Bourque sacked the Erath quarterback in the fourth quarter.

Kaplan almost pulls off great comeback

ERATH - There’s a saying in Vermilion Parish that if you get a two-touchdown lead against the Kaplan Pirates, it should be enough because the Pirates are not known for scoring quickly. However, whoever made that claim about the Pirates might want to reconsider.
The Pirates were down 14-0 with two minutes to play in the third period against the Bobcats.  But then  Kaplan tailback Braydn Bearb told his teammates right before they ran on the field at 1:58 in the third period. 
Bearb shouted, “Let’s go earn it.”
For the next 14 minutes, Kaplan did precisely that.
On a drive that started on their 19, the Pirates earned their first touchdown when Kaplan quarterback Sabe David found running back Daylon Landry wide open in the middle of the field.  Landry outran the EHS defenders for a 47-yard
touchdown right before the end of the third quarter. The Pirates could not convert on the 2-point play after the touchdown to make it a 14-6 game with one more quarter.
The  Kaplan defense stepped up big on Erath’s first possession of the fourth quarter.
At the EHS 37, Kaplan’s defensive lineman Wyatt Bourque almost sacked EHS quarterback Jack Landry.
However, on fourth down and 12, the Bobcats went for it, and this time, Bourque was able to get to Landry for a 10-yard loss, giving the ball back to the Pirates.
With 3:16 to play in the game, the Pirates put together a game-tying drive thanks to a 41-yard run by Landry. 
Four plays later, the Pirates (6-2) were in the end zone on Wyatt Hebert’s 3-yard touchdown run up the middle. The play was set up by an 18-yard tight-end Carter Petry reception.
Bearb ran it in for two, which tied it 14-all with 44 seconds remaining in the game.
Unfortunately, the Bobcats drove 70 yards in only 38 seconds to win the game, 17-14,  with a last-second 25-yard field goal.
Wyatt Hebert led Kaplan’s rushing with 18 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown.
 Landry (6-60) and Bearb (5-8) also carried the pigskin.
Kaplan quarterback Sabe David had a good game throwing.  He completed 50 percent of passes (6-for-12) for 93 yards and a touchdown.
Carter Petry had four catches for 30 yards, while Landry had two catches for 63 yards and a touchdown.
The Pirates are home Friday to battle St. Martinville to end the regular season.

Article Image Alt Text

Delcambre head football coach Artie Liuzza

Delcambre beats Houma Christian

HOUMA - The Delcambre Panthers (3-6) got a road win it needed, beating Houma Christian 40-21.
The Panthers jumped out to a 22-7 lead at halftime.
Nave Nguyen scored the first three touchdowns with 2- 3- and 31-yards runs.
He finished the game with 168 yards on 21 carries and three scores.
Hugh Morales rushed for 108 yards on 17 carries and a score.
By the end of the third quarter, Houma Christian had made it a game, trailing 28-21.
DHS scored twice in the fourth period to secure the win. Delcambre QB Rix Robin completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to Nash Perero, and Eli Larson had a 41-yard TD run.

Article Image Alt Text

Abbeville’s Derek Arclies (83) wraps up the St. Martinville ball carrier and Abbeville’s Zalen Hopkins (70) is in pursuit. Photo by Rosco Harrington.

Abbeville falls to St. Martinville

  The Abbeville Wildcats lost to the St. Martinville Tigers on Senior Night Friday, 21-8.
Abbeville (0-9, 0-2) stayed in the game using a bend but don’t break defense, stopping the Tigers twice on downs inside the six-yard line.  But they couldn’t get out of their way offensively as they turned the ball over four times, including a fumble that was recovered in the end zone for St. Martinville’s first score.
Wildcats’ head coach Jonathan Zenon sees improvement in his young team.  He felt they started slow and had some miscommunication, but that’s part of the rebuilding process.
“We started too slow,” Zenon explained.  “We picked it up at the end of the game, but that’s too slow.  We had some misunderstandings tonight - the line went right, the running back went left.  We have to clean that up.
 “A lot of people want us to be great.  We’re a young team, rebuilding and getting better.  We’re improving each and every day.  These guys are going to be great in the near future.”
St. Martinville turned an Abbeville fumble at midfield into first and goal from the six midway through the first quarter.  The Wildcats’ defense rose, stopping the Tigers on four consecutive downs.
Abbeville fumbled the first snap of the ensuing drive, and the ball squirted back into the end zone where St. Martinville recovered for the touchdown.  The extra point made it 7-0 with 5:01 to play in the opening frame.
That score stood until late in the third quarter when St. Martinville quarterback Khyrie Francisco scored from 11 yards out to make it 14-0 with 2:11 to play.
Francisco struck again in the fourth quarter when he found the end zone from four yards out to put the Tigers up 21-0 with 4:09 to play in the game.
The Abbeville offense quickly marched down the field.  Quarterback Kobe Vital connected with Jacolby Campbell for 15 yards before taking it himself for 24 yards down to the one-yard line.  
Jordan Montgomery plunged across the goal line to put Abbeville on the board.  The two-point conversion made it 21-8 with 1:28 remaining.
The Wildcats made it enjoyable, recovering the ensuing kickoff at the St. Martinville 27-yard line.  With 30 seconds remaining, St. Martinville intercepted a pass to seal the win.
Montgomery led the AHS rushing attack with 36 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.  Vital finished with 34 yards on three carries.  
Vital is connected to five different receivers for 60 yards through the air. Braylon Himel had a 20-yard reception, while Campbell had one for 15.  Ja’Zavion Briggs had one catch for one yard.
Abbeville closes the season on Friday when it travels to Erath to face the Bobcats (

Article Image Alt Text

North Vermilion victory lands them in the football playoffs

LEROY—Last week, North Vermilion’s head coach Roderick Moy stressed to his team that the playoffs started this past Friday. His message was simple: “If we win, we are in.”
With only two wins before Friday’s game, the Patriots were on the bubble of the Division II Non-Select Power Standings. 
The top 28 teams make the playoffs, which begin in two weeks. The Patriots sat at No. 25.
North Vermilion won 24-20 against the Rayne Wolves.  The Patriots (3-6) moved up to No. 23 and will end the season on the road against St. Thomas More (6-3). 
“We had to have a win,” said Moy. “We figured beating Rayne at home would be easier than beatting St. Thomas More on the road.”
The Patriots needed all four quarters to beat the Wolves.
With around three minutes to play in the game, Preston Bagwell scored from the 1, putting the Patriots ahead 23-20. North Vermilion kicker Logan Blanchard made the extra point to put his team up 24-20.
Then Moy made a bold play call that would be the right one.
On the kickoff after the Bagwell TD, Blanchard, who has a strong leg,  received the play call from Coach Moy. The coach called for an onside kick, but the Patriots’ onside kick differs from most teams.
Blanchard’s task was to kick a line drive, hoping it would bounce off a Rayne defender.
Blanchard not only successfully did that, but he also recovered the onside kick at midfield.
The Patriots ran out the final three minutes of the game.
Coach Moy said he called for an onside kick for three reasons.
First, Rayne was not expecting it.
Second, if Rayne did recover the kick, the Wolves could hopefully go down quickly and score. The Patriots would get the ball back in the game’s final minute and have a chance to win it.
Thirdly, if the onside kick was successful, the Patriots win.
“Logan executed the kick perfectly,” said Moy.  “He had a heck of a game. He went 3-for-3 kicking extra points,  kicked a 34-yard field goal and recovered his onside kick. He had a great game.”
The Patriots held a 17-12 lead at halftime.
Preston Bagwell had a 53-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Bagwell had 15 carries and rushed for 132 yards on the night.
Blanchard’s 34-yard field goal in the first quarter pushed NV’s lead to 10-0.
The Wolves took their first and only game lead at the start of the fourth quarter.
Both teams had success running the football.
Rayne rushed for 245 yards, and NV rushed for 284 yards.
Grant Wise had nine carries for 48 yards, while Heath Aubrey had four for 76 yards.
NV quarterback James Higginbotham rushed six times for 25 yards. He also completed four out of eight passes for 69 yards.
With catches for NV were Owen LeBlanc (2-35), Heath Aubrey (1-24), and Brody Lambeck (1-10).

Pages

Vermilion Today

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