Good test for Abbeville

The Class 2A Rayville Hornets (5-2) are making a rare visit to Wildcats Stadium in Abbeville on Friday.
The Hornets and the Wildcats agreed to play one another when Rayville head coach Joeseph Purvis needed a Week 8 opponent. He called his friend and Sterlington High classmate Roderick Moy, looking for Kaplan’s telephone number. Purvis had heard Kaplan was also in search of a Week 8 opponent.
To Purvis’ surprise, the Wildcats needed a Week 8 opponent, as well. Both head coaches agreed to a game, with Rayville traveling to Abbeville for the one game.
Rayville is located in north Louisiana, and the trip will take four hours.
When Purvis agreed to play Abbeville, he did not think he agreed to play a team that is having its best year since 2002.
However, it may be just what the football gods ordered for both teams.
Rayville is 5-2 and No. 25 in the Class 2A power standings.
Abbeville is 6-1 and No. 3 in the Class 3A power standings.
“Abbeville is a great opportunity,” said Coach Purvis. “This is a playoff-style game. That is how we are treating it. It is going to be a good gauge for us playing against Abbeville.
“We are super excited.”
Purvis admitted that most of the Rayville players and assistant coaches could not find Abbeville on a map.
The Rayville coach is impressed with the Wildcats’ size on offense and defense. He said the Wildcats are the biggest team they will play thus far.
Moy is also treating Friday’s game as a playoff game.
“This is a perfect scenario,” said Moy about playing the Hornets. “We are trying to make a run in the playoffs, and Rayville is a great team to play in Week 8.”
The Hornets and the Wildcats run a similar type of offense. Both operate out of the Veer offense.
However, Rayville uses two running backs, whereas the Wildcats have one primary running back.
Rayville‘s two rushers have combined for 1,700 yards in only six games. The Hornets average just under 300 yards a game rushing. Two weeks ago, Rayville rushed for 444 yards in a game. L.D. Wheeler led the way with 30 carries for 279 yards and five TDs.
Coach Moy does not expect a lot of throwing of the football on Friday.
“This game could be over within 90 minutes,” Moy said. “Rayville reminds me a lot of a smaller Carencro because of how well they run the Veer.”
The Wildcats’ defense will have its biggest challenge, trying to stop Rayville’s offense. However, Moy said his plan is simple on defense.
“We are going to play straight up,” Moy said.
Parish-leading rusher Blake Saddler leads the Wildcats. Last week Saddler became Abbeville’s single-season rushing by going over the 1,350-yard mark. He now has 1,390 yards and is averaging 15 yards a carry.
“He has speed and is a great athlete,” said the Rayville head coach. I hope we can keep him bottled up.”