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Another year of playing for the Peter Russo Trophy has come and gone, and one record remains on the books for another year, associated with the Peter Russo Trophy.
There have been three KHS or AHS athletes who have competed for the Peter Russo Trophy as both players and head football coaches. Of those, only Gerald Harrington has won the Russo Trophy both as a player and as a head football coach.
He was a member of the AHS football team when the rivalry began. Abbeville beat Kaplan 20-19 in 1948, 7-6 in 1949, and 33-7 in 1950—Harrington’s senior year. He graduated from Abbeville in 1951.
Harrington was the AHS head football coach from 1978 to 1981, and during that time, his teams beat Kaplan three times, including in 1978 and 1979.
Coach Harrington died in 2008 at the age of 74.
Kaplan High graduate Dr. Joe Kite just missed being the first person to compete for the Russo Trophy as both a player and a head coach. He graduated from Kaplan in 1948 and played football in the 1947 season, just before the football series began in 1948.
Dr. Kite later became the head football coach at Kaplan High.
Trevor Eaton is the interim head football coach today at AHS. Eaton is also a former Wildcat who played football.
Eaton never won the Russo Trophy as a player, finishing with an 0-3 record. However, he has won it now as a head coach and an assistant coach.
The same could not be said for AHS graduate Kevin Kern, who both played for and later coached the Wildcats. As a player in the early 1980s, the Wildcats won the Russo Trophy three consecutive years. However, as an AHShead coach, Kaplan defeated the Wildcats in each matchup.
The trophy is named after Peter Russo, a young man from Abbeville who was killed in World War II.

ERATH — The Erath Bobcats’ offense is averaging an impressive 41 points per game and getting plenty of attention from fans, but their often-overlooked defense has also played a big role in the team’s 8-0 record.
The Bobcats’ defense did not allow the St. Martinville Tigers to get into the end zone en route to a 48-0 victory.
It is the first-time in school history the Bobcats beat St. Martinville in six attempts.
Through eight games this year, Erath’s defense has allowed just nine points per game. This marks their third shutout in a row. The school record for regular season shutouts is five, set back in 1963.
Erath head coach Eric LeBlanc said getting the shutout meant a lot to the players.
“It was seniors who wanted it more,” said LeBlanc. “At the end of the game, they are on the sidelines cheering those who are in the game. They are communicating with the guys on the field and telling them what to look for. That is the cool part.”
EHS senior defensive linemen Cohen Benoit and Kaiden Viator enjoyed the shutout win.
“It feels amazing,” said Benoit, who plays on the defensive and offensive line. “Putting everything together in practice and then on the field is great.”
Viator will take a win anytime over a shutout.
“We do not worry about the shutout. We worry about doing our job and executing our gaps,” said Viator. “If the shutouts come, they come. We just want to win at the end of the day.”
The Bobcats got on the board during their second possession, thanks to a strong punt return by Tate Collins that brought them to the Tigers’ 35-yard line. Two plays later, quarterback Jack Landry found Talen Landry for a 27-yard touchdown. Jack completed 8 out 14 passes for 72 yards in the game.
Talen had a solid game catching the football. He had five catches for 54 yards and a TD.
The EHS defense helped set up the Bobcats’ second touchdown. Linebacker Jahlil Charles made two key plays by stripping the ball from Tiger players, which led to more points for Erath.
The first time was in the first quarter when Charles stuck his hands on the football and yanked it from the Tiger running back’s hands. EHS cornerback Nathan Nguyen recovered the fumble at the St. Martinville 32.
Erath had to settle for a 24-yard field goal by Carlos Arellano that made it 11-0.
On St. Martinville’s next drive, Charles forced another fumble. This time, Brylon Toups scooped up the ball and ran it 10 yards before being stopped.
Erath took advantage of the fumble recovery and scored eight plays later when Jack ran 8 yards into the end zone for an 18-0 lead.
Erath added another TD on a 1-yard run by Aiden Bourque with 1:35 to play in the first half.
The Bobcats led 24-0 at halftime and had outgained the Tigers 158 yards to 67. The Tigers did not do much better in the second half, finishing with only 50 yards of offense. Viator said the defense did its job like it has been doing all year.
“Coming into the season, we were kind of iffy about what to expect,” said Viator. “We did not know if everyone would understand their roles. Everyone took their new roles well. The young ones stepped up, and the older players are playing well.”
Charles led EHS in rushing with 130 yards on 10 carries. He scored twice.
With two road games left against Kaplan (5-3) and Abbeville (3-5), the Bobcats have a chance to make history as the first EHS team to finish a season 10-0.
Coach LeBlanc said, “We are taking it one game at a time.”

Baton Rouge, LA – Governor Jeff Landry is warning all SNAP welfare cardholders that they will receive no new benefits on their cards starting November 1st due to the federal government shutdown in Washington, DC. Any remaining benefits from previous months can still be used. Updated information will be available to all Louisiana residents through a new site https://dcshutdown.la.gov.
Hundreds of thousands of people in Louisiana receive SNAP welfare benefits. An update from the USDA this summer stated more than 16% of the population in Louisiana receives SNAP benefits.
“The U.S. Senate is failing to open the federal government in Washington, DC. SNAP benefits are paid for by the federal government in Washington, and we simply administer the program here in Louisiana. Without the funds we cannot provide the benefits. The U.S. House under Speaker Mike Johnson has already acted to re-open the government. Our U.S. Senators representing Louisiana have voted over and over again to re-open the government. They are doing their part. Now it is time for those U.S. Senators, under Democrat Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, to vote yes and re-open the federal government. Louisianans concerned about the lack of funds for this program, or any impacted federal service, should call on Chuck Schumer to re-open the federal government now,” said Governor Jeff Landry.
The Louisiana Department of Health which oversees the SNAP program in Louisiana will begin notifying recipients this week, based on available information, that November benefits will not be added to their cards until the federal government reopens. In addition, LDH is providing notices (Notice 1, Notice 2) which retailers can post on doorways and in their stores notifying recipients new funds will be unavailable.
“All Louisiana SNAP recipients should be aware that there will be no new benefits added to their cards starting November 1st unless the federal government in Washington, DC reopens,” said Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health Bruce D. Greenstein. “We will do all we can to ensure SNAP recipients are aware of this and that retailers are prepared as well. Updated information will be provided on the state’s new dcshutdown.la.gov website as soon as it is available.”
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly benefits that help eligible low-income households buy the food they need for good health. It is a program funded by the federal government in Washington, DC under the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

BAKED CHICKEN THIGHS

Perfect meal for me and Boo
Perfect meal for you
Perfect for a family too

INGREDIENTS

Low in carbs, high in proteins
-4 chicken thighs
-4 tsp garlic
-4 tsp onion flakes oooo oh
-Seasoning to taste

MISE EN PLACE

-Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
-Bake until no longer pink and juices run clear, about 30 minutes.

POPPY SEED CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Easy with leftover chicken

INGREDIENTS

-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
-1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
-1 (16 oz) container sour cream
-1 tbsp poppy seeds
-1 sleeve buttery crackers such as Ritz, crushed
-1 stick (8 oz) butter, melted

MISE EN PLACE

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Spray 9x13 casserole dish with cooking spray.
-Combine cracker crumbs and butter in a small mixing bowl.
-In another bowl, combine chicken, soup, sour cream, and poppy seeds.
-Spoon mixture onto baking dish.
-Top with buttery crumbs.
-Bake uncovered until heated through, about 30 minutes.
-Serve hot.
This is good recipe for me and Boo since neither one of us is interested in chicken breast. I usually make chicken salad with leftover rotisserie chicken.
This recipe provides a hot meal, and I use 2 cans of soup instead of sour cream. Boo prefers the soup instead of sour cream.
A bottle of poppy seeds is always in our pantry ready for cakes, breads, salad dressing, and glazes salty or sweet. My recipes for poppyseed cake, one almond and one lemon, are delicious.
My friend Becky baked the lemon version with lemon glaze; I made the almond flavored loaf. Both good, and I’d like to try the lemon for Boo soon.
Poppy seeds are a source of many healthy benefits, including protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, and zinc.

BALSAMIC POPPY SEED DRESSING

Another good recipe to keep

INGREDIENTS

-1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
-1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
-1/2 cup sugar
-1 tbsp poppy seeds
-1 tbsp minced red onion

MISE EN PLACE

-Combine all the ingredients for the dressing in a covered jar.
-Shake well until the sugar has dissolved and the dressing is combined.

GLAZED CARROTS

No poppy seeds here
A perfect side for any dinner
Not too much salt
That salty sweet taste I love

INGREDIENTS

-2 to 3 carrots, sliced 1/4” thick
-1 tbsp butter
-1 tbsp brown sugar
-1 tsp lemon juice
-Salt to taste, not too much
-Black pepper, optional

MISE EN PLACE

-Place carrots in sauce pan.
-Cover with water.
-Bring water to boil.
-Reduce heat to medium low.
-Simmer until carrots are tender, about 8 to 10 minutes.
-Drain.
-Heat butter over medium heat.
-Cook and stir all ingredients stirring often, until sugar has dissolved, about
2 minutes.

This recipe is from an old Alice Lancon recipe, and 3 carrots is not enough for me and Boo. The recipe is usually doubled. I hope your family does not say “No!” to cooked carrots, because they will be missing such a treat.
My former coworker and good friend Janelle taught me her mother’s method to top sautéd vegetable.
-Mix 1/4 to 1/2 cup of Pet milk* plus
-a raw egg yolk in a coffee cup.
-Whip with a fork until blended.
-Add to sauce pan just before serving.
-Stir until well combined.
-Serve right away.

Janelle said her mother did this to most vegetables. I’ve only used it in carrots, where it is very good.

POPPY SEED PINEAPPLE CAKE

Good!
Very good!

INGREDIENTS

-1/4 cup poppy seeds
-1 cup pineapple juice
-1 box yellow cake mix
-3 1/4 oz. vanilla instant pudding mix
-5 eggs, slightly beaten
-1/2 cup vegetable oil
-1 1/2 tsp almond extract

MISE EN PLACE

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Soak poppy seeds in pineapple juice for one hour.
-Combine poppy seeds, juice, cake mix, eggs, oil, and almond extract.
-Mix until well blended.
-Pour into prepared bundt or tube pan. -Sprinkle with 3 tsp. sugar.
-Bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until done.

I dug through my basket full of recipes. This is another Alice Lancon recipe that I found with tons of her pamphlets and loose sheets of recipes and household hints. Still missing her, I look through them just to reminisce or to find one of her pearls of wisdom that I know are somewhere in that basket.
With Festivals Acadiens et Creoles all over the news, I think back on speaking French daily with either one my grandmothers. Momom Chalice (pronounced “ka lease”), who lived with us as I was growing up, spoke no English at all. Being very shy, she quit trying, when giggles followed some of her efforts. This happened way before I could talk; I learned to speak French as I learned to speak English. My Aunt Dossie, who passed away in June at 100 years old, liked to tell the story of her first week of school. She came home saying “I can not play all day.” Many giggles followed that saying anytime one of us drifted away from a group project. With my grandmothers gone I have nearly lost my French. My schedule doesn’t seem fit to add a French Table, but I will keep trying. Momom Jules had no problems speaking broken English. She would frequently offer “crackets” with soup or as a treat or commenting on my trips to the “Lyberry” for more books. My conversation with them was always in French.

Jusqu’a la semaine prochaine!

billielandry@iosinces.com