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It is been nine years since the Abbeville Wildcats won its season opener. But thanks to a stingy defense and a gutsy performance by fullback Dieon Williams, the Wildcats notched anbig win in their belt.
Abbeville opened the year with a 19-12 win over West St. Mary. Back in 2008, Abbeville also beat West St. Mary to open the season under then head coach Ward Courville.
Williams, a junior, rushed for 92 yards on 14 carries and scored touchdown runs of 4 yards, 2 yards and 15 yards. His final touchdown sealed the win on a third down and nine yards for a first down. Williams ran it up the middle for a 15-yard TD run with six minutes to play in the game.
West St. Mary got the ball back with 2:45 to play.
The defense came up big on the final two plays of the game.
Abbeville’s Zhyeathin Shelvin had a quarterback sack and Christian Alveraz stopped West St. Mary on fourth down to secure the win.
The Wildcats are on the road Friday in Church Point.

By Bruce Brown
Special to The Meridional

SCOTT – Kaplan's Pirates knew it would be challenging to start the season on the road at four-time Class 5A state champion Acadiana High, but they didn't back down from the test.
In fact, coach Stephen Lotief's squad rallied with a pair of scores in the fourth quarter to knock the Rams back on their heels before the hosts held on for a 17-12 triumph.
“We need to learn how to play together,” Lotief said. “We had a good effort tonight and fought hard. There are a lot of positives to take away from this game.
“What we're looking for is leadership. We had 10 seniors last year who led us to the (Class 3A) semifinals. I'm hoping to get some of that kind of leadership from this year's class.”
Last year's 13-1 season is one reason Kaplan opened at a high tier foe like Acadiana.
“We had such a good year, nobody wanted to play us,” Lotief said. “I don't want any part of Acadiana. They're better than us. But, hey, tonight we played with them. We were out-manned, but I think we earned their respect.”
The Pirates had that before kickoff.
“I knew they would come in here and scrap,” Acadiana coach Ted Davidson said. “It's what they do. They were 8 minutes from going to the Superdome last year, losing on a questionable fumble, and we knew they would play hard.”
It looked like the event could be an uneven one early, as the Rams ate up 6 minutes on a trademark 12-play, 67-yard opening march capped by Jaylon Borel's 2-yard run. AHS mounted another drive on its next possession, but was repelled at the Kaplan 10.
The Pirates got to midfield before lining up to punt. But a high snap, retrieved 29 yards later at the KHS, set up a three-play Rams series that ended with a 7-yard Ziggy Francis score to make it 14-0 at half.
At the break, Acadiana outgained the visitors 162 yards to 42, but the tone said it wasn't going to be easy.
The count grew to 17-0 after three quarters on Noah Anderson's 29-yard field goal, and when the ensuing Pirates drive ended at the AHS 10 with an incompletion with 7:28 to play, Acadiana looked safe.
On the next play, though, Kaplan pounced on an Acadiana fumble at the 12. Four plays later, Trae Case scored from a yard out with 5:54 to play. Acadiana halted a two-point conversion, but the Pirates had life.
They had more than that moments later when the Rams fumbled the kickoff return on their 21. Again it was Case showing the way, hitting Matt Roden for a 6-yard TD with 4:06 left.
The two-point try fell incomplete, but Kaplan was suddenly within 17-12.
This time the Rams held on to the kickoff return, then mounted three first downs to run out the clock.
“I think Ted kind of took his foot off the gas a little bit,” Lotief said.
“We were sluggish,” Davidson said. “We couldn't get any big plays. Couldn't find a rhythm. We looked like two teams that had practiced in the gym all week (inclement weather).
“And, towards the end, I think we lost our composure a little bit. We couldn't put them away.”
“There was a lot that was good, and a lot that was bad,” Lotief said. “Now we have to guard against people telling how good we are. But we're still 0-1.”
But with a solid effort to build upon.

May 16, 1941 ~ August 28, 2017

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, September 4, 2017 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Roland James Frederick, 76, who died Monday, August 28, 2017 at Vermilion Health Care Center. He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Rev. David Hebert officiating the services.
Roland is survived by his wife, Agnes Meaux Frederick; two sons, Roland Frederick Jr. of Abbeville and Ryan Frederick and his wife, Kim of Lake Jackson, TX; two daughters, Rhonda Holt and her husband, Tim of Lake Jackson, TX and Renee Grannan of Lake Jackson, TX; two brothers, Presley Frederick and Brady Frederick; three sisters, Jane Hebert, Ella Dean Hebert and Joanne Noel; six grandchildren, Dustin Weatherly, Christopher Weatherly, Timothy Holt, Tylor Holt, Beth Frederick and Kenzie Grannan; and three great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore Frederick and the former Edmonia Bernard; two brothers, Nolan Frederick and Ronnie Frederick; and sister, Peggy Hebert.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Sunday, September 3, 2017 from 9:00 AM until 10:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Monday, September 4, 2017 from 8:00 AM until 9:45 AM when the procession will depart for the church.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

Five out of six high school coaches moved their first game of the season to Saturday because of wet fields.
The only game still scheduled for Friday is Kaplan’s road game to Acadiana High in Scott.
Delcambre was scheduled to travel to South Cameron on Friday, but that game was completely canceled.
Tentatively, the Gueydan Bears will play against North Central on Saturday at 11 a.m. The start of the game may be pushed back, depending on the weather.
Head coach Roderick Moy said playing on Saturday gives his field another day to dry out.
Abbeville High will play Saturday at 6 p.m. against West St. Mary. It will be played at Wildcat Stadium.
Vermilion Catholic is on the road against Loreauville on Saturday at 6 p.m.
The Erath Bobcats also moved the game to Saturday at 6 p.m. EHS head coach Donald Comeaux said the field is too wet to play on as a Wednesday. He is hoping the rain will stop.
Erath opens at home against Class 2A Ascension Episcopal.
The North Vermilion Patriots not only moved the game to Saturday but also moved the location.
NV will play Beau Chene Saturday at St. Thomas More High School. Kick off is set for 4 p.m.