Abbeville's offense flying high last three games

After starting the season with four-straight losses, the Abbeville Wildcats have won two games in a row. While the defense has been consistent throughout the season, it’s the offense that’s hit its stride.
Abbeville scraped the bottom of the barrel in its week four loss to Holy Savior Menard, only totaling 76 yards passing with four interceptions and failing to score an offensive touchdown in the 15-6 home-opening loss.
Since that game, the AHS offense has been unstoppable behind the tutelage of offensive coordinator Donald Fusilier and the trio of quarterback Dazavien Maze and wide receivers Cameron Samuels and Jacolby Campbell.
The Wildcats threw for 111 yards in the 34-28 loss to Franklinton on Thursday.
“We’re actually still underachieving at this point, Fusilier said before Thursday’s game. “This offense should average 50 points per game. We haven’t showed everything yet, which is a good thing, but we’re still not satisfied.”
For Maze, whose 507 yards passing and four touchdowns with no interceptions in the two wins, catapulted him to the top of the parish leaderboard, the reason is simple.
After seven games, Maze has thrown for 1,078 yards. It has been close to 20 years since an AHS quarterback has thrown for more than 1,000 yards. Maze is on target to reach the 1,300-yard mark in 10 games.
“I just needed to get my confidence back,” Maze said. “With Coach Trev (Trevor Eaton) coming in, he helped a lot. I played for him two years ago. He told me to go out there and just be myself, and it’s working.”
Samuels has been the most consistent threat all season. But against Holy Savior Menard, he had five catches for only 35 yards. Since that game, he’s caught 15 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns.
Before Thursday’s game, he led the parish in receptions (33), receiving yards (510), and touchdowns (7).
“I just make plays whenever I get the chance,” Samuels said. “If the ball touches my hands, I have to do something with it. That’s been my mind-set all year.”
Just a sophomore, Campbell is the youngest of the trio. After catching five passes for 41 yards against Holy Savior Menard, he rebounded with 12 catches for 189 yards and a touchdown in the two wins. Those stats have him tied with Samuels for the parish-lead in receptions and he’s second to Samuels in receiving yards with 400.
“My relationship with the team has changed,” Campbell said. “I’ve bonded with the team, and we’ve built trust in the last few weeks. Trust goes a long way. It helps with everything on offense.”
Other offensive weapons are Braylon Himel (8-129-2 TD) and tight end Chayson Gray.
In week seven, they begin District 5-3A play at home against the Kaplan Pirates. All three players answered in unison when asked about the rivalry game.
“We’re bringing the Russo back to Abbeville!” they exclaimed.