Abbeville brings back Russo Trophy

The Abbeville Wildcats stopped the Kaplan Pirates on fourth and goal with 1:11 left in the game to preserve a 12-7 win and bring the Russo Trophy back to Abbeville Friday night at Wildcat Stadium.
Kaplan was inches away from taking the lead on third and goal from inside the one, but Zalen Hopkins and the Abbeville defensive line pushed Kaplan back to the one-yard line before a pre-snap penalty pushed the ball back to the six. Abbeville senior Braylon Himel, who had two catches and an interception in the game, made the tackle on fourth down.
“At the beginning of the year, we didn’t have any heart firing off the ball,” Himel said. “But now, we want it. We wanted to get to the ball, and we wanted to bring the Russo back to Abbeville.”
Sophomore Jazavian Briggs said the Wildcats made the big stop because they believed in themselves.
“We got it done by playing with confidence and motivation,” Briggs said. “They were inside the one, but the game wasn’t over. We could not let them score. We all dropped to the ball together and got the stop.”
Interim head coach Trevor Eaton said he was proud of his team for earning their third win in four weeks after starting the season 0-4.
“To start the season like we did, then come out here in week eight and beat a well-coached Kaplan football team says everything about these kids and this coaching staff,” Eaton said. “I’m proud of these kids and coaches for stepping up and preparing the way they did.”
Abbeville (3-5, 1-0) opened the game with a strong drive. Quarterback Dazavien Maze connected with wide receiver Cameron Samuels for a 10-yard touchdown, giving Abbeville a 6-0 lead with 9:18 left in the first quarter.
Kaplan (5-3, 0-1) responded with a long opening drive, using almost six minutes before running back De’Maurion Cormier scored from four yards out. Gannon Smith’s extra point gave Kaplan a 7-6 lead with 3:24 left in the first.
The Wildcats responded with a five-minute drive of their own. Running back Justin Montgomery had several tough runs to keep the chains moving before Maze connected with receiver Jacolby Campbell for a 22-yard touchdown strike that put Abbeville back on top 12-7 with 9:54 to play in the first half.

Both teams moved the ball well after that, but neither scored again. Kaplan reached the red zone several times, but turnovers and penalties stopped them from scoring.

“We moved the rock all night, but just couldn’t put it in,” said Pirates’ head coach John Thompson. “We did what we said we couldn’t do – we turned it over. We lost that game.”

Cormier finished with 200 yards rushing and a touchdown on 29 carries to lead the Kaplan offense. Jeremy Roy had 42 yards rushing on four carries, while Cassidy Roy added 16 yards on three carries, and Jayden Hargrave added 12 yards on three carries. Quarterback Sabe David completed two passes for 21 yards. Jacob Devoltz caught one pass for 11 yards, and Taven Housend caught the other one for 10 yards.

Maze led Abbeville’s offense by completing 17 of 21 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns. Samuels caught seven passes for 116 yards and a touchdown, Campbell had six catches for 53 yards and a score, and Himel caught two for 16 yards. Montgomery led the rushing attack with 67 yards on 12 carries.

Next week, Kaplan hosts district and parish rival Erath on Halloween. Abbeville will be on the road at district foe St. Martinville.

“The Abbeville Wildcat football team is playing at a state championship level right now,” Eaton said. “I believe we can go out there and compete with anybody. If we take care of business next week against St. Martinville, we’ll be playing for a district championship right here at Wildcat Stadium. That’s exciting.”