Eunice too much for Abbeville

CROWLEY — The Abbeville Wildcats dropped a 24-6 decision to the Eunice Bobcats Thursday night in the Acadia-Vermilion Parish Jamboree at Donald Gardner Memorial Stadium.
 Abbeville head coach Jonathan Zenon was not pleased with his team’s effort, especially compared to last week’s scrimmage against Comeaux, when the Wildcats produced more than 600 yards of offense.
“It was a horrible performance,” Zenon said.  “We came in on our high-horses and came out flat.  We have to do some more soul-searching to find the guys who truly want to play.  We have to find guys who aren’t afraid of the moment. We’ll go back to the drawing board.”
 Eunice took the opening kickoff and drove right down the field.  The touchdown and subsequent two-point conversion put the Bobcats ahead 8-0.  The Wildcats took over, and on their second play from scrimmage, turned the ball over.
The Eunice offense went right back to work, eating clock and methodically marching down the field.  The Wildcats forced two fourth downs on the drive, but the Bobcats managed to convert both en route to a 16-0 lead.  
 “On fourth and less than five, that’s an automatic hard count,” Zenon said.  “We jumped offside.  It was a significant moment that we didn’t fully understand.  We have to work on it.”
On the first play of its next drive, Abbeville turned the ball over again.  The Wildcats ended the first half with three plays, zero yards, and two turnovers.
Abbeville opened the second half with a 62-yard touchdown drive to pull within 16-6.  Quarterback Dazavien Maze connected with Braylon Himel from 34 yards out for a TD. The two point conversion play failed.
 Eunice answered with its third touchdown drive of the game.  On the drive, Justin Montgomery had two carries for 15 yards. The play that set up the touchdown was a 12-yard reception by Jacolby Campbell.
The two-point conversion made it 24-6.  The Wildcats were unable to get any closer.
  Maze completed seven passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.  Himel finished with four catches for 70 yards and a touchdown.  Jacolby Campbell had three catches for 19 yards.  Running back Justin Montgomery had 27 yards rushing on five carries.
 Abbeville will be on the road at Washington Marion in week one.  To come away with his first career win, Zenon said it will take everyone buying in.
 “We need our guys to 100 percent trust the process,” Zenon said.  “We can’t have guys going through the motions.  The best players at each position will play, whether they play both ways or not.  It may be only 15 guys instead of 22, but the best players are going to play.”
AHS defensive lineman Zalen Hopkins had two sacks.