Abbeville High principal explained why football game was stopped on Friday

Abbeville High Principal Phillip Freeman explained why the football game between Abbeville High and Franklinton was stopped with 7:30 to play in the fourth quarter.
The WIldcats were losing 50-12 when the homecoming game was stopped.
The Abbeville Meridional first reported that the game was stopped because an Abbeville fan, who was being escorted out of the football stadium by the police, made the threat that he would return to the game with a gun.
Abbeville head football coach Jonathan Zenon told the Meridional after the game that the game was stopped because of a gun threat made in the bleachers in the fourth quarter.
Freeman, who was on the field when the game was stopped, released a statement on Monday explaining why the game was stopped. He explained that it was stopped because of what was happening on the football field, not in the bleachers. He said it was his decision to stop the game.
Freeman said, “As a preventive measure, Friday’s night game was stopped early due to the increasing number of unsportsmanlike concerns being displayed on the field. This was a decision made regarding the safety of all players, students, and spectators in order to avoid any potential escalation of events.”
Around the nine-minute mark, two men in the stands got into an altercation. Security quickly intervened and escorted one of the men out of the stadium. While being escorted out, he allegedly made a threatening gesture with his hand in the shape of a gun.
Freeman thanked security for handling the matter quickly.
“Law enforcement responded swiftly and appropriately to a verbal altercation that occurred in the bleachers,” he said.  “To dispel rumors circulating, there was no physical altercation, nor was any weapon found. We would like to thank Wildcat fans who were in attendance for being vigilant and proactive. They have been vital in preventing potential incidents that jeopardize the safety of our community.
“Our security procedure of utilizing metal detectors will continue as this has been in place for the last couple of years.
“We are proud of our students and school. We will continue to make every effort to promote and advocate for the recognition of our students, school, and community.”
The Wildcats (0-7) are on the road  Thursday to play the Kaplan High Pirates (5-1). They will be back home on Nov. 1 to play St. Martinville in a district matchup.