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Jonathan Dartez carried the ball 40 times and finished with 371 yards rushing and he also threw for 209 yards. (photo by Rosco Harrington)

VC stuns Riverside behind team-effort performance

Johnathan Dartez did rush for school record 371 yards and scored five TDs

NEW ORLEANS - Before Friday’s game against Riverside Academy, Vermilion Catholic head coach Broc Prejean mentioned that the coaching staff did not approach the game as a revenge match for last year’s loss to Riverside in the semifinals. Instead, they concentrated on the current season. Their focus paid off, as they achieved their goal.
The Eagles improved to 5-0 after beating Riverside 49-34 on the road.
The Eagles accumulated 576 yards of offense and scored seven touchdowns.
“Our theme has been ‘today,’ so we didn’t talk much about last year,” said VC head coach Broc Prejean. “We used the film to study and just asked them to decide if it was more important to focus on avenging the past or getting ourselves to 5-0 in the present. We feel like the kids focused on being 5-0.”
As of Saturday morning, VC is No. 3 in the  Select Division IV power point standings, while Ascension Catholic is No. 1, and Catholic of Point Coupee (4-0) is No. 2. District foe Ascension Episcopal (5-0) is No. 4.
VC plays Ascension Episcopal in two weeks. 
Riverside played to stop the run, hoping to stop Dartez, but it did not work.
The 5-foot-8 senior had another great game. 
He had a record-setting performance, rushing for a school-record 371 yards on 40 carries, surpassing his previous record of 359 yards. In addition to this, he scored five rushing touchdowns and threw for another two TDs. He also threw for 209 yards, bringing his total to 598 yards, which is also a new school record.
Plus, his 91-yard TD run was the longest from scrimmage at VC.
“It was quite possibly the best offensive performance I’ve ever seen out of a young man,” said Prejean about Dartez’s performance. “Our offensive line and wide receivers were engaged in blocks and on the right assignments over and over again, with Joe Langlinais and Luke McLain being the unselfish players that they are and leading the way off the edges. Allen McLain III, with 175 yards receiving on three catches and his blocking setting the edge in the run game, was huge and a massive difference-maker. Ben Constantin coming in to get us in two tight-end personnel was a great wrinkle, and he really stepped up all week and embraced the challenge.”
Coach Prejean said the win was also a team effort.
“The stat line is what it is and worth talking about because it deserves recognition, but it was such a complete team effort against a heavily talented Riverside Academy football team,” Prejean said. 
“We knew we had to execute a vertical passing game when they loaded the box, but we also still had to find ways to run against a loaded box and were able to accomplish those two things. It’s tough when you are down two explosive athletes like Ross Dartez (broken collar bone)  and Jyrin Bessard (injured elbow)  but so proud of the young guys that stepped in and stepped up.”
The Eagles jumped on Riverside Academy 21-0 in the first quarter. 
Dartez had touchdown runs of 42 and 34 yards in the first quarter. Then, he capped off the quarter by throwing an 87-yard touchdown pass to tight end Allen McLain III.
Dartez would connect with McLain for a 61-yard touchdown catch, making it a 28-7 game.
McLain had three catches for 175 yards, and he scored two touchdowns.
VC went into halftime, leading 28-14.
The Eagles’ defense came up big and did not break with a defensive stop on fourth down in the red zone, allowing no points. 
Coach Prejean praised his defense for holding Riverside’s explosive offense.
“Defensively, to get two turnovers on downs inside the 20 was critical, and to get stops on both of their initial possessions of the halves was huge to set the tone of each half,” the coach said.  “You’re not going to stop them, and we knew that, but we did enough to limit them when needed. Their offense is so explosive that you can’t afford to miss an opportunity to get them off the field, but we were able to take advantage of enough of those opportunities to make a difference.”
Dartez and the offense also rewarded their defense for every stop they got, building on the lead. Dartez would show off his speed, outrunning defenders down the sideline almost the length of the field for a 91-yard touchdown midway in the third period.
That long run would be his fifth touchdown of the night.
Dartez also had touchdown runs of 2 yards, 44 yards, and 17 yards. His 17-yard TD came at the 6-minute mark in the fourth quarter to make it 49-34.
GAME NOTE: The last time VC lost a regular-season game was in 2021 against Erath (36-34). Dartez, then a freshman, was the quarterback in that game. Since that loss, Dartez has not lost another regular-season game.
VC has now won 30 straight regular-season games.

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Aiden Bourque (6) and the Erath Bobcats are now 4-1 on the season.

Erath upsets Westlake on the road

Bobcats jump to No. 5 in power rankings

LAKE CHARLES—The Erath Bobcats scored 21 points in the third period, enough to upset Westlake 21-20 in a non-district game. The win improves EHS to 4-1 on the year, while Westlake drops its first game to fall to 4-1.
As of Saturday at noon, Westlake is now No. 2 in the latest power rankings in Division III,  while Erath jumps to No. 5. Westlake was No. 1 before the EHS game.
“We focused on ‘finish’ this week,” said EHS head coach Eric LeBlanc. “We have done a great job all season with finishing games, but we knew we had to finish every play to beat a good team. 
“The kids executed the game plan all night.”
Westlake scored as time expired in the first half to make it 6-0.
But then EHS came out in the third period and scored 21 points. Coach LeBlanc said that at halftime, the coaches discussed Xs and Os and made some minor adjustments.
The Bobcats’ first touchdown was a 66-yard  reception from quarterback Jack Landry to Cameron Soirez.  Soriez, who was named the homecoming king days earlier, finished with two catches for 78 yards.
His touchdown catch was a 10-yard reception behind the linebackers. Then, he darted downfield and outran the defenders.
Erath kicker Eli Felipé nailed the extra point that gave EHS the 7-6 lead. 
The EHS defense also had a decent game.  They forced six turnovers and also scored a touchdown.
Nate Nguyen scored on a fumble recovery in the third quarter.
Once again, Felipé kicked the point for a 14-6 lead.
Erath’s third touchdown was a 1-yard run by quarterback Jack Landry. Felipé nailed the extra point for a 21-6 lead.
Westlake had success throwing the football, throwing for 309 yards.
Westlake’s final two touchdowns were a 25-yard touchdown pass and a 52-yard one in the fourth quarter.
Westlake had 20 first downs compared to Erath, who had only nine.
Erath ran for 103  yards and threw for 104 yards.
Jack Landry completed four out of 17 passes for 103 yards.
Mason Hebert rushed for 63 yards on 12 carries. His longest run was for 23 yards.
Jack Landry had 13 carried for 39 yards.

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Kaplan’s Bradyn Bearb avoids a Loreauville defender to score a touchdown. Photo by Rosco Harrington.

Kaplan runs over Loreauville

KAPLAN – The Kaplan Pirates used the legs of Wyatt Hebert, Daylon Landry, and Bradyn Bearb to cruise to a 40-18 homecoming-victory over the Loreauville Tigers at Ed Douglas Memorial Stadium Friday night.
 Kaplan (3-1) relied on its methodical running game to control the clock and keep the dangerous Tiger offense off the field.  The trio combined for 333 yards rushing and six touchdowns.
“That’s a team that can score any time they touch the ball,” said Kaplan head coach Stephen Lotief.  “They put together a couple of nice drives, but we answered with our offense.  They stayed on the field and did what they had to do.  Our defense did enough to win the game.”
Loreauville (0-4) matched the Pirates’ physicality in the trenches, forcing them to be fundamentally sound to put the game away.
“Our technique was bad,” Lotief said.  “We were a little selfish.  We started playing team ball and put the clamps on them in the second half.”
The Pirates landed the first blow, scoring twice in the first quarter to take a 16-0 lead.  Bearb capped the opening drive with a 14-yard touchdown run.  Landry did the honors from seven yards out on the second.
Loreauville regrouped and marched down the field behind bruising running back Thomas Carter and dual-threat quarterback Blake Delcambre.  Delcambre connected with Cole Delahoussaye for an eight-yard touchdown pass to put the Tigers on the board.  The two-point conversion failed to make the score 16-6 with 9:32 remaining in the first half.
The Kaplan offense answered with a four-minute drive.  Wyatt Hebert plunged over the goal line from two yards out to make it 22-6.
Loreauville answered again when Delcambre found Kylon Polk on third and 32 to set up first and goal from the Kaplan three.  Two plays later, Delcambre found Polk from five yards out to score 22-12 at the half.
The Pirates’ defense forced a three-and-out to open the second half.  On the fifth play of the ensuing Kaplan-drive, Landry turned the corner and raced 27 yards down the sideline for the touchdown.  The conversion failed, scoring 28-12 with 6:47 to play in the third quarter.
The Tigers found the endzone once more when Carter scored from 13 yards out.  Once again, the Kaplan defense stopped the conversion to keep the Pirates ahead by two scores at 28-18 with 54 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Kaplan iced the game in the fourth as Hebert scored from 10 yards out, and Landry broke free again for a 43-yard touchdown run to provide the final margin.
Landry led the Pirates with 183 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries.  He also added two receptions for 13 yards.  
Hebert finished with 96 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, while Bearb had 54 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.
Sabe David completed all three of his passes for 39 yards.  Gannon Smith had a 26-yard reception.
Kaplan travels to Patterson next week in search of its fourth-consecutive win.

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North Vermilion quarterback James Higginbotham runs upfield and scores from the 15-yard line just before halftime. Photo by Ricky Aubé

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NV running back Heath Aubrey tries to escape two Blue Gator defenders. Photo by Ricky Aubé

North Vermilion Patriots could not stop Ascension Episcopal

YOUNGSVILLE - Just 33 seconds into the game, the North Vermilion Patriots found themselves trailing 8-0 and struggled to halt the Ascension Episcopal Blue Gators’ scoring.
When the first quarter ended, the Patriots were trailing 22-0 and suffered their fourth consecutive loss, succumbing to the Class A Blue Gators 50-18.
Ascension has now beaten parish teams Abbeville (38-14), Kaplan (23-6) and North Vermilion (50-18).
Ascension’s next two games are against parish teams Gueydan and Vermilion Catholic.
“We came here expecting to win,” said NV head coach Roderick Moy. “They are very good offensively and showed that right out of the gate.”
At halftime, Ascension led 50-12.
The Blue Gators had 368 total yards in the first half compared to North Vermilion’s 277 yards. The Blue Gators rushed for 199 yards in the first half and threw for another 169 yards.
Blue Gator quarterback Branon Mitchell, who is Abbeville High graduate Brandon Mitchell’s son, had a heck of a game. He completed seven passes, and three went for 52 yards, 45 yards, and 71 yards.
Mitchell also rushed for 140 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown run.
Moy attributed the defeat to four players being injured and other players being forced to play out of position.
The cornerback, Brody Lamback, who is expected to return this week, was missing on defense. 
Also, the Patriots were without running back Preston Bagwell. 
North Vermilion quarterback James Higginbotham played 100% of the time on offense and 60% on defense. The same went for wide receiver Zander Frederick, who played cornerback and wide receiver.
“We have to do a better job getting the next man ready. You can tell we had injuries.”
With Bagwell out, Heath Aubrey and Grant Wise carried most of the time.
Wise rushed for 61 yards, while Aubrey had 88 yards on 14 carries.
Higginbotham also had a decent game running and throwing the ball. He rushed for 76 yards on six carries, including a 15-yard touchdown run.
He threw the pig skin and completed nine out of 17 passes for 125 yards. He also threw two interceptions.
Frederick had the most receptions, with four for 43 yards.
In the fourth quarter, other NV players got to play. 
Austin Francis had five carries for 42 yards. Gage Wise had four carries for 38 yards. Harley Foreman rushed for 22 yards and scored a three-yard touchdown.
Eli Dubois replaced Higginbotham at quarterback in the fourth quarter. 
The Patriots are home Friday to battle Comeaux High.

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Catherine Trahan Miller

Catherine Louise Trahan Miller

Feb 10, 1950 - Oct 04, 2024

Abbeville—A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church celebrating the life of Catherine Louise Trahan Miller, 74, who died Friday, October 4, 2024. Burial will follow at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church mausoleum in Maurice, La. with the Reverend Father Louis Richard officiating the services.

A native of Maurice and a resident of Abbeville, she is survived by her four children and their spouses: Peter and Andrea Catherine Miller O’Konski; Ryan Theuninck and Dr. Weston Peter Miller, IV; David and Amanda Claire Miller Bitting; and Dr. Jeremy and Dr. Emily Elizabeth Miller Speeg; and her eleven grandchildren: Katherine Ann and Matthew Miller O’Konski; Weston Peter, V and August Theun Miller; Julia Claire and Charlotte Lee Bitting; and Cecilia Louise, Davis Owen, Eloise Elizabeth, Genevieve Claire, and Miller Stephen Speeg. She is also survived by three of five siblings and their spouses: Richard and Donna Trahan Putnam; Byron and Lolette Trahan Hebert; and Dr. Thomas and Susan Ricketts Trahan as well as two sisters-in-law: Marcelle Richard Trahan and Bonnie Cameron Trahan, and fourteen beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Harold George Trahan, Sr. and Bertha Lee Broussard Trahan, as well as two of her brothers, Dr. Harold George Trahan, Jr. and Henry Paul Trahan.

Pallbearers will be Richard J. Putnam, Jr., Byron R. Hebert, Dr. Thomas N. Trahan, Dr. Weston P. Miller IV, Ryan D. Theuninck, Dr. Jeremy S. Speeg, David M. Bitting, and Peter J. O’Konski. Honorary pallbearers will be her eleven grandchildren. Selected readings will be delivered by her Godchildren: Richard J. Putnam, III, Gregory George Trahan, and Rachael Christine Hebert. Offertory gifts will be presented by her dearest friends.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, La. on Monday, October 7, 2024, from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM and Tuesday, October 8, 2024, from 8:00 AM to 10:45 AM when the procession will depart for St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church. A rosary will be prayed at 6:30 PM on Monday, October 7, 2024, at Vincent Funeral Home led by Reverend Father Steven LeBlanc.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made directly to Vermilion Catholic, a legacy of Mount Carmel, where Catherine passionately served and championed Catholic education for several decades of her life.

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Members of Mark Shirley and Thu Bui’s LSU AgCenter family join them after receiving their Meritorious Public Service Awards. Front row: Abigail Sartin, Shannan Waits, Mark Shirley, Thu Bui, Sylvia Trahan, Tammy Trahan; Back Row: Hilton Waits, Mandy Armentor, Maddox Miller and Paul Bongarzone.

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Coast Guard Capt. Jason Franz presents LSU AgCenter Agent Thu Bui with the Meritorious Public Service Award

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Coast Guard Capt. Jason Franz presents LSU AgCenter Agent Thu Bui with the Meritorious Public Service Award

Prestigious honor: Coast Guard presents LSU AgCenter agents Bui, Shirley with Meritorious Public Service Award

Rarely does the U.S. Coast Guard present its Meritorious Public Service Award, the branch’s second-highest award given to a civilian. However,

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LDI Warns of Online Hurricane Francine Scams

The Louisiana of Department of Insurance (LDI) is warning residents to be cautious of online scams related to Hurricane Francine insurance claims.
The LDI has detected an increase in online advertising activity related to Hurricane Francine, some of which attempts to mislead or scam consumers recovering from the storm. The LDI is aware of a recent instance where scammers created a website to exploit trending searches, phish personal information, transmit viruses and send malware. Thanks to a coordinated effort with one of the LDI’s anti-fraud partners, Google has labeled the site to make consumers aware of its predatory activity.
“Though we have increased our focus on insurance fraud activities and invested in new programs to monitor for these bad actors, I’m urging residents to use caution when searching for insurance information online, particularly searches related to Hurricane Francine insurance claims,” said Commissioner Tim Temple. “We will continue to actively monitor for this type of activity and take appropriate action to protect consumers.”
The LDI offers the following tips to help safeguard your online searches:
• Obtain information from trusted sources. In particular, the LDI’s website and new mobile app, available via Apple App Store and Google Play Store, are good sources for trusted information.
• Use trusted Web browsers like Google Chrome, Apple Safari or Microsoft Edge. These sites offer built-in security features that help protect against malicious sites.
• Always verify each link in search results before clicking on them. If in doubt, do not click on the link.
• Use reputable security software and anti-virus detection software to safeguard your device from potential threats.
• Keep your apps and devices updated to help detect vulnerabilities that cybercriminals might exploit to attack computers, phones or mobile devices.

About the Louisiana Department of Insurance: The Louisiana Department of Insurance works to improve competition in the state’s insurance market while assisting individuals and businesses with the information and resources they need to be informed consumers of insurance. As a regulator, the LDI enforces the laws that provide a fair and stable marketplace and makes certain that insurers comply with the laws in place to protect policyholders. You can contact the LDI by calling 1-800-259-5300 or visiting www.ldi.la.gov.

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ylvia “Tweety” Trahan

Sylvia ‘Tweety’ Trahan honored as Cattlewoman of the Year

Sylvia “Tweety” Trahan has been named the 2024 Cattlewoman of the Year.
Trahan’s honor comes as part of the 74th Annual Louisiana Cattle Festival, which will begin on Friday in Abbeville.
Tweety, as she is known by family and friends, has been a member of the Vermilion Cattlewomen's and Louisiana Cattlewomen’s Associations for 30 years. She has been a member of the American National Cattlewomen's Association for 25 years. She is married to Michael P. Trahan, and they have two children, Christy Schexnider and her significant other, Blaine Griffin. She has one son, Brant. Their son, Brandon Trahan, is married to Andrea Quibodeaux Trahan, and they have three children, Bryce, Marlee, and Tripp.
Learning about the cattle industry became an important part of Tweety’s life when she married Michael almost 50 years ago. She grew up in Kaplan, but when she moved to the farm in Forked Island, she soon learned about working cattle, cattle nutrition, and the importance of the beef industry to her family and the world. It quickly became a passion for her to teach others about the industry.
Tweety has served both her parish and state organizations in many capacities. On the parish level, she has served the association as secretary, vice-president, and president. She has been in charge of planning and organizing many of the Vermilion Parish Cattlewomen’s past activities and service projects including 4-H Beef Appreciation Day, Beef for Father’s Day, Beef Cookery Contests, and beef promotion events for Beef Month each June. Tweety has overseen the Vermilion Parish Cattlemen’s Association Queens Contest for the last 20 years and has trained several contestants who went on to become the Louisiana Cattlemen's Association - LCA Queen. She has worked tirelessly to both educate young people about the beef industry and give them opportunities to educate others.
On the state level, she has served the Louisiana Cattlewomen’s Association as a board member, treasurer, and is currently serving as president of the state association. Tweety served for eight years as chairperson of the Louisiana Beef Ambassador Program where she trained contestants each year to compete at the National Beef Ambassador Contest. She also served as a planning committee member for the 2010 National Beef Ambassador Contest, which was held in New Orleans.
Her children showed Brangus cattle as one of their 4-H projects and Tweety became an active member of the Louisiana Brangus Breeders Association. She helped at many parish, district, state and national livestock shows and served as chairperson for the 2000 National Junior Brangus Show held in Lake Charles. Over 200 participants competed in various industry-related contests at the event, in addition to showing their Brangus cattle.
Tweety has completed several educational programs to increase her knowledge of the cattle industry. She is a Master Cattleman and completed the Masters of Beef Advocacy training program sponsored by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. The program teaches participants how to educate consumers and promote beef as a “healthy” and “sustainable” food choice. In 2010, she was selected as Cattlewoman of the Year by the Louisiana Cattlewomen’s Association and in 2013, she received the Humanitarian of the Year award from the Louisiana Cattle Festival Association. Tweety has been employed by the LSU AgCenter for 23 years, where she works as the 4-H Administrative Coordinator. She has received several outstanding service awards including 2005 Secretary’s Award, 2022 LSU Foundation Outstanding Staff Service Award, and 2023 Administrative Coordinator of the Year award.
Please help us in congratulating Sylvia “Tweety” Trahan in her outstanding commitment to the cattle industry as our 2024 LA Cattle Festival Cattlewoman of the Year!

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Miss Kelsey Rose Trahan & Mr. Matthew Michael Vincent

Engagement Announced for Miss Kelsey Rose Trahan & Mr. Matthew Michael Vincent

Mr. and Mrs. Brian James Trahan of Kaplan are pleased to announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Miss Kelsey Rose Trahan to Mr. Matthew Michael Vincent. Matthew is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Bryan Vincent of Lake Charles. The nuptial wedding ceremony will take place on December 14, 2024, at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church in Kaplan, Louisiana.

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Abbeville Meridional

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