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Erath's Eli Felipe (33) keeps his head down as he kicks the game winning field goal with 3 seconds left in the game. Talen Landry (22) was holder on the 25-yard field goal. Javonte Mouton (7) for Kaplan almost blocks the kick.

Erath kicker makes 25 yard field goal to beat Kaplan in final seconds

Fri, 11/01/2024 - 11:45pm

It was second time Eli Felipe comes through for Erath this season

ERATH - Every kicker dreams of making a game-winning kick to secure a victory for their team. This dream has come true twice this season for Erath High senior Eli Felipe.
The first time was on Oct. 10, when he made a 28-yard field goal with 1:29 left in the game, giving the Bobcats a 30-28 win over DeQuincy on the road.
Well, Felipe found himself in a pressure situation for the second time in three weeks, and like the first time, Felipe, did not disappoint.
With three seconds left in the game and the score tied 14-14, Felipe walked on the field and kicked the ball through the uprights as time ran off, giving the Bobcats their eighth win.
Kaplan called timeout before the field goal, hoping to ice Felipe. It did not work.
“My mind was blank,” said Felipe when asked what he was thinking before he attempted the kick. “I did not think, but I did not want to overthink it. I told myself: the players have faith in me, the fans have faith in me, and God has faith in me. I just knew I was going to do it.”
Another person who had faith in him was Erath’s head coach, Eric LeBlanc. “I knew he had it in him,” said LeBlanc about his kicker. “He has been working on his technique. I trusted him to be on the field and make the kick.”
The Bobcats marched 70 yards in only 38 seconds to set up the game-winning field goal.
After Kaplan tied it 14-14 with 44 seconds left in the game, the Bobcats took over on their 30-yard line. They only had 44 seconds to go 70 yards for a score.
Two big plays occurred on the game-winning drive. Erath quarterback Jack Landry connected with Cameron Soirez on a 38-yard reception that moved the ball into Kaplan territory at the 47.
On first down after the reception, Jack ran 25 yards upfield and moved the football to the 16-yard-line with 11 seconds remaining in the game.
On first down, Landry connected with Soirez for 7 yards, moving the ball down to the 8-yard line with three seconds to play in the game.
That’s when the EHS kicking team trotted on the field to try and win the game.
“At the end, we ran our two-minute drill,” said Coach LeBlanc. “We had guys making two good catches and getting out of bounds. The kids executed the two-minute drill.
“We were not playing for overtime.”
After going 0-4 on field goals at the start of the season, Felipe is now 2-for-2, both of which are game-winners. He attributes this to one thing.
“Practice, practice, practice.”

Kevin Abbott was booked in the parish jail.

Man tries to rob Abbeville bank; says he planted bombs

Fri, 11/01/2024 - 3:01pm

Abbeville Police arrest man inside of bank

On Friday, at approximately 9:47 a.m Abbeville Police Department received a call of a bomb threat at Capitol One Bank on Hwy 14 By-pass in Abbeville.
The caller stated that there was a male subject inside the bank asking to withdraw a large amount of cash, then passed a note advising that there are bombs all around the building. The complainant gave a brief description of the suspect and what he was wearing.
Abbeville Police Officers responded and arrived within minutes to find the suspect still standing at the bank teller’s window.
Abbeville Police arrested Kevin Grant Abbott, White/Male, DOB 04/04/1976, 909 N Loop 288 Denton, TX. He is being charged with Attempted Armed Robbery. After being medically cleared, he was transported and booked into the Vermilion Parish Corrections Center waiting for the bond to be set.
Before Abbott went to the bank, he was spotted on video walking through an Abbeville business and then requesting to use their bathroom.
Abbott is seen walking through the business wearing a red shirt and jeans and he then heads to the rest room where he changes his jeans and shirt.
He left the rest room wearing athletic sweats and he left his jeans and shirt in the trashcan of the Abbeville business. In his different clothes, he walked on foot down the bypass to the Capitol One Bank.

Chief Mike Hardy urges the public to provide any information regarding any other crimes by calling the Abbeville Police Department at (337) 893-2511. You may also contact our “Tips” line at (337) 892-6777. All callers may remain anonymous. Citizens may also send anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers of Vermilion by calling (337) 740-TIPS or the P3 app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or at Google Play Store.

The Abbeville Police Department did not release the man’s name or the crimes the alleged robber was charged with. The man is not believed to be from Vermilion Parish.
What is known is that before the man walked into the Abbeville bank, he visited an Abbeville business where he changed his clothes in the bathroom, according to a video.
He entered the bathroom wearing blue jeans and a red shirt but walked out wearing athletic sweats. His red shirt, socks, and blue jeans were later found in the trash can of a local business after the attempted robbery.

Roslyn Songe Savoie

Fri, 11/01/2024 - 10:48am

Roslyn Songe Savoie, 63, a native of Houma and resident of Erath, passed away on October 30, 2024.
Visitation will be held Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 9am to 12pm, with the service to begin at 12pm, at Samart Funeral Home of Houma, Bayou Blue. Burial will follow in Rogers Cemetery.
She is survived by her son, Jude Savoie and wife Abby; grandchildren, Celeste Jane "Concombre", Scarlet Grace "Scar Baby", and Neiva May "Nae Nae" Savoie; Godchildren, Lance Chatagnier, Jenny Loney, and Katelynn Rogers; and aunt, Dolores Rogers Kraemer.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wyatt Savoie; parents, Henry and Doris Songe; brothers, Roger Jude and Ronald "Digger" Songe.
Samart Funeral Home of Houma, Bayou Blue is in charge of arrangements.

Aldon A. LeBlanc

Thu, 10/31/2024 - 2:59pm

June 2, 1942 - October 24, 2024

A Catholic Memorial Service will be held on Friday, November 1, 2024 at 11 a.m. in Martin & Castille's La Fleur de Lis Chapel in Lafayette, for Aldon A. LeBlanc, age 82, who passed away on October 24, 2024 at The Calcutta House of Lafayette. The family will receive guests at Martin & Castille's SOUTHSIDE location on Friday from 8 a.m. until the time of the service. A Rosary will be prayed at 9 a.m. in the funeral home.
Deacon Ken David will officiate the services.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Deanna M. LeBlanc; his daughters, Lisa L. White (Joel), Paula L. Crochet (Scotty), and Lori L. Tremblay (Jonathan); his grandchildren, Chase and Laina Melancon, Chelsea and Bryce Crochet, and Jackson and Ava Tremblay; his great grandchildren, Zoey, Gavin, Brennan, Connor, Aubree, and Baylee Melancon; his brothers, Urlan "Joe" (Betty), Irving, Lester (Diana), Russell (Sandra), and Terry LeBlanc (Lou); his sister and Godchild, Vicky L. Derouen (Curney); and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard A. and Levie Broussard LeBlanc; and an infant sister, Mary Helen LeBlanc.
Aldon’s father instilled in him a love of family and the importance of education. He graduated from USL in Civil Engineering and became a professional engineer and land surveyor, and eventually opened his own business. During college, he married the love of his life, Deanna, and together they grew a loving family with three daughters who adored him. A devoted husband and father, Aldon worked tirelessly to provide a comfortable life for his family. He felt that his daughters were his greatest accomplishments and was extremely proud of them. Nothing brought him more joy than to be surrounded by his grandchildren and great grandchildren who lovingly called him Papa.
Everyone was welcomed to his home with his wonderful smile and gift of gab. His love of history and insatiable thirst for knowledge made him a wealth of information. Family history and tales of growing up in Erath were frequent subjects of conversation.
Aldon was an accomplished craftsman, building everything from cabinets to garden sheds to furniture for his first grandson. In his later years, he became an avid landscape gardener, turning his backyard into an oasis for he and Deanna to enjoy as they sipped their morning coffee under the covered patio that he built single handedly in his late 70s. He had boundless energy and strength.
Aldon's legacy is one of kindness, thoughtfulness, and an unwavering dedication to the ones he held dear. As we say goodbye to this remarkable man, we celebrate the indelible mark he left on our hearts and minds. His memory will live on as a guiding light, inspiring us to live with the same loving and friendly spirit that he embodied every day.
Special thanks to Our Lady of Lourdes ICU nurses and staff, Dr. Jeff Chen, and the staff of the Calcutta House for their compassionate care and support.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Aldon A. LeBlanc's name to Hospice of Acadiana Calcutta House, Wounded Warrior Project, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - you may visit their websites for their donation link.
View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com
Martin & Castille - SOUTHSIDE, 600 E. Farrel Road, Lafayette, Louisiana 70508, 337-984-2811

Kaplan’s Wyatt Hebert and other Kaplan teammates hold up the Peter Russo Memorial Trophy after the Pirates beat Abbeville 44-0 on Thursday.

Russo Trophy returns to Kaplan

Wed, 10/30/2024 - 10:17am

KAPLAN — The Peter Russo Memorial Trophy is back in Kaplan after a three-year absence. In a district game, the Kaplan Pirates ...

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A Tony Mayard painting of “Bichon” and Olga Toups is currently on display at the Abbeville Cultural and Alliance Center. It is part of an exhibit commemorating the 40th Annual Giant Omelette Celebration. The event will take place in Abbeville on Nov. 2 and Nov. 3.

Arlene Collee said French culture is the thread that connects each of the seven Giant Omelette Celebrations held around the world.

In recognition of the 40th Annual Giant Omelette Celebration, an exhibit is currently on display at the Abbeville Cultural and Alliance Center.

Local culture stirs Abbeville's Giant Omelette

Wed, 10/30/2024 - 10:02am

At a glance, the Giant Omelette Celebration is about the eggs. However, the event is about so much more once you ...

Officials representing the City of Abbeville, the state, the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce and other entities take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the downtown street project.

Officials cut ribbon for Abbeville’s ‘Downtown Revival’

Wed, 10/30/2024 - 9:58am

Months of work recently culminated with a ribbon cutting celebrating the Downtown Abbeville road project. City officials and others gathered on ...

Charles Bradley Mergist

Tue, 10/29/2024 - 10:27am

ERATH — A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Charles Bradley Mergist, 78, will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. with Fr. Clinton Sensat officiating. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Mausoleum.
Visitation will be held at Frioux-David Funeral Home of Erath on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. with a recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 from 8 a.m. until time of services.
A resident of Erath, Mr. Charles passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2024. He served honorably in the Air Force, was a member of the American Legion, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Before retirement, he was a supervisor for the Apache Corporation regarding inland rigs. He was a life-long Dodgers fan and LSU. He enjoyed fishing and beach vacations. Above all, he loved being with his family.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Barbara Mergist of Erath; his daughters, Janeen (Tracy) LeBlanc of Erath, Renee Marx of Coweta, OK, and Gabrielle Mergist of Broussard; his grandchildren, Kayla (Ross) Landry, Brody (Kristen) LeBlanc, Katelyn (Jeremy) Maves, and Grace Thomason; his great grandchildren, Lilly Landry, Ella Landry, Drew Landry, Camille Landry, Amelie LeBlanc, Owen LeBlanc, and Harper Maves; and his sister, Connie M. LeBlanc (Francis).
He is preceded in death by his parents, Adam and Eunite Hebert Mergist; his siblings, Georgia Mergist, Emily Mergist, Ruth Landry, Paul Sullivan Mergist, Adam Benny Mergist, Genevieve Touchet, and Annette Mergist; his granddaughter, Devon LeBlanc; and his in laws, Maxie and Irene Dore.
The Mergist family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Proutt, Dr. Brody LeBlanc, Hospice of Acadiana, and the staff of The Calcutta House for the exceptional care they provided to Charles during his final days.
Serving as pallbearers will be Brody LeBlanc, Ross Landry, Jeremy Touchet, Brandon Landry, Kirk Hebert, and Lance Mergist.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Tracy LeBlanc, Jason Broussard, Matt LeBlanc, and Greg Touchet.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
Frioux-David Funeral Home of Erath 209 E. Putnam St. (337)937-0405 will be handling the arrangements.