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After a 63-0 homecoming district victory over Highland Baptists this past Friday, the Vermilion Catholic Eagles (2-4) are on the road for a big district rival game this Friday.
The Eagles travel to Youngsville to play the 6-0 Blue Gators in a district contest.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m,
The two teams have faced each other only five times in the past 10 years. The Blue Gators have been in VC’s district for the last two years. Last year, the Eagles defeated Ascension 49-27 in their first meeting in the district.
VC’s four other meetings with Ascension were non-district games.  
VC owns a 3-2 overall record against Ascension, with  VC winning the last three games.
On Friday, the Blue Gators have a chance to be the Vermilion Parish Champion with a win over VC.
Ascension has already beaten four parish teams.
Ascension is coming off a 48-6 win over Gueydan this past Friday.  They have also beaten Abbeville (39-34), North Vermilion (28-3) and Kaplan (41-7).

VC.............63
Highland...0

The very first play of the game set the tone for the next four quarters for Vermilion Catholic.
VC’s quarterback Will Simon threw to an open Matthew Mollere for a 45-yard touchdown pass.   Henry Bertrand kicked the first of his nine point-after attempts to put the Eagles ahead 7-0, and the rout was on.
Caleb Guidry scored the second touchdown of the game on a two-yard run. He finished the game with three carries for 23 yards and a touchdown.
The VC defense came up big, scoring twice on interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Trevin Hebert returned an interception for a 27-yard touchdown.  VC’s Ty LeBlanc also returned an interception for a 30-yard touchdown.
 Brantley Beckett had nine carries for 52 yards, and he scored two TDs. 
Quarterback Will Simon completed 10 out of 12 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown.
With two catches for VC were Michael Moller (2-68-1), Jacob Dubois (2-50), Matthew Mollere (2-45), and Ty LeBlanc (2-19).

Roland LeBlanc enjoys challenging himself. Whether it’s improving his time in a 1,600-meter race, working to strengthen his cross-country team, or attempting to dunk a basketball despite being 41 years old and only 5 feet 7 inches tall, he is always pushing his limits.
Whatever challenges he sets his eye on, he eventually gets to them.
LeBlanc, a 2002 Abbeville High graduate, was honored Thursday night by being inducted into the Abbeville High Athletic Hall of Fame. Also, Harris LeMaire was inducted, who was involved with Abbeville athletics for 40 years.
LeBlanc was one of the most decorated long-distance runners at Abbeville High.  He won multiple cross-country races throughout the state and finished in the top five at the state meet, earning him all-state honors.
He competed at the state outdoor meets in the 1600 and 3200 meter races. LeBlanc went on to race cross country at LSU.
LeBlanc decided to take up running because he was too small for football and basketball. As a freshman, he was only 5-7 and weighed less than 140 pounds. One person who was glad he chose to be a cross-country runner was his new cross-country coach, Jed Bourque.  Bourque was a rookie coach when LeBlanc was a freshman.
Bourque spoke about LeBlanc at the Hall of Fame banquet.
“When I recently visited with one of his teammates, who was his older sister, Ann, she told me, ‘As a freshman, we knew he was gonna be good. He was fast and he was passionate.’”
Bourque expressed his excitement in coaching LeBlanc and witnessing him achieve his set goals.
“I considered myself privileged to watch him,” Bourque said. “He had a graceful stride and perfect form and endless stamina, relentless competitor, mental strength to fight through pain, knowing that every race he competed, he had the bulls eye on his back...Everyone wanted to beat Roland LeBlanc, but not many could.”
LeBlanc ran because he wanted to be the best at running, he told the crowd at Magdalen Place on Thursday.
“Why did I do what I did?” asked LeBlanc. “I wanted to do something well. I knew it took effort, commitment, and passion to achieve that. Beyond what I accomplished in high school and college, I apply those same principles to everything else in life.”
Today, LeBlanc, 41, lives in New Orleans and runs a thrift shop. His family and friends attended his induction ceremony, expressing their gratitude for his support and presence in their lives.
So, what is LeBlanc’s latest challenge in his young life? It’s not running a marathon or competing in an Iron Man competition. 
Instead, LeBlanc is training to dunk a basketball on a 10-foot hoop. He mentioned that he has improved his vertical leap by 10 inches over the last two years and is now just one inch away from being able to soar above the rim.
Few doubt that he will accomplish this challenge in the next two years.

Harris LeMaire had a passion for Abbeville High

LeMaire has been involved with Abbeville High athletics for more than 45 years. 
With Harris’s giving nature and commitment, his heart was deeply invested in Abbeville High School, which he supported through the Quarterback Club, which is now the Abbeville High Booster Club.  
In 1990, as president of the AHS booster club, he would breathe new life into the program, which Don Chauvin described as “in deep trouble,” “saddled with over $10,000 of debt and unable to buy victory on credit.”  
Harris led the initiative that brought the AHS Booster Club to the Abbeville Bingo League, starting with one night a week specifically dedicated to the athletic club, which grew to four separate sessions dedicated to AHS Athletics.  
During the first year of bingo, the boosters netted over $11,000, which was used to wipe out the debt they inherited.  From 1990 to 2016, the ABL Booster Bingo raised well over $200,000. 
 These funds raised went directly to benefit things such as uniforms, a minivan for the cheerleaders to travel to games, transportation for teams from game to game, the building which is now the weight room, the two extra lanes on the track, the football field sprinkler system, coaches stipends – which was allowed back in the day, and the list goes on.  
Thanks to Harris, bingo continued to support AHS Athletics until 2016.  Harris would also step in for the voice of the Wildcats, Russell Gary, when needed.  His commitment to AHS continued as an active member of the Booster Club until 2005.
While Harris made a meaningful impact on the community, it would be unfair not to highlight that his most extraordinary devotion was to his family.  His service to others was remarkable, but they do not compare to the love, care, and presence he gave at home.  He was a man of honor – a devoted husband, father, brother and grandfather.  All who knew him felt his strength, his leadership, his commitment, and above all, his heart.
On hand to accept LeMaire’s award were his three children, David LeMaire, Wenday LeMaiire Diz, and Scott LeMaire. 

Gill Meaux, who nominated LeMaire for the athletic hall of fame, spoke about LeMaire at the banquet.
“Mr. Harris never missed a fundraiser for Abbeville High and was always willing to help anyone raise money,” said Meaux. “I remember driving one Saturday, looking in the Stines parking lot and seeing a tent with a few men cooking. Yeah, you guessed it. Mr. Harris was cooking to help out the Abbeville High cheerleaders. 
“What he gave to our school and community with his hands pales in comparison to what he gave his heart.”

Abbeville High School will be looking for a new head football coach, starting in December, after former LSU defensive standout and Breaux Bridge High graduate Jonathan Zenon was relieved of his head football coaching duties.  
This past Wednesday, Abbeville High head football coach Jonathan Zenon was informed by the AHS administration, with the backing of the central office, that his head football coaching duties were being taken away, effective immediately.
Zenon was asked to continue his role as a freshman math teacher and to serve as the head track coach. He had just returned to school on Wednesday after being on leave for 10 days. After learning about the coaching news, Zenon left school and has until Friday to decide whether to remain on the AHS staff or leave the parish entirely.
The Meridional reached out to Zenon on Wednesday afternoon for a comment, but he was not ready to give a quote. 
Abbeville High Principal Jenni Frick commented on the decision to let Zenon go after Week 5.
“At this time, we feel that this is in the best interest of our program,” said Frick. “Our goal is to build on that momentum that we had last week and continue forward.”
Under Zenon, the Wildcats lost 14 straight games, dating back to last year’s 0-10 season.  Zenon went on leave the Monday after losing his 14th game as a head coach. 
Head basketball coach Trevor Eaton, who is a former AHS football player under former head coach Robert Toomer, stepped in as the head football coach. He will remain the interim head football coach for the rest of the season.
Joining the AHS football coaching staff at the midway point are former AHS graduates and football players Travin Moore and Allen Arclies.
  “We are in the process of ensuring stability and consistency with our students,” said Frick.  “We will continue the status quo with Coach [Trevor] Eaton as our  interim head coach.”
She also said  Zenon is still a teacher at AHS.
“He remains a valued member of the Abbeville family,” said Frick. “He continues to serve our students as a dedicated classroom teacher and will continue to be our head track coach.  His contribution to our school and athletic program is deeply appreciated.  We look forward to his positive impact on our students.”
The position of head football coach is expected to become available in December, at which point the search for a new coach will begin.
The new head football coach will be the 11th at AHS since 1996.
Here is a list of the former AHS football coaches since 1996.
• Brent Indest (1996-2003)
• Keith Calvert (2004-2005)
• Robert Toomer (2006-2007)
• Ward Courville(2008)
• Larry Breaux (2009-2012)
• Chris Towery (2013-2014)
• Gary Atkins (2015-2016)
• Kevin Kern (2017-2019)
• Roderick Moy (2020-2023)
• Jonathan Zenon (2024-2025)
• Trevor Eaton (2025-present)

The 2025 Erath High Hall of Fame Induction will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the Erath Community Center.
This year’s inductees are Cody Bouillion, Matt Domingue, and Todd Rodrigue.

Cody Bouillion

Cody Bouillion is being inducted into the Erath High Hall of Fame for his outstanding achievements in Cross Country and Track.
Cody’s Cross Country accolades are as follows: three-year team Captain, two times selected Best of the Teche, and Boys’ MVP Best of the Teche in 2003-2004. Cody was a two-time District Champion, a two-time All-State Champion, and a two-time All-State member.
In 2004, he was the individual State Cross Country champion.
His track career was really phenomenal. He ran in four track events, 800 meter run, 1600 meter run, 3200 meter run, and the 4x400 relay.
He was Team Captain for two years, 17 plus MVP Awards, 60 individual medals, three times the Daily Advertiser/Coca Cola All Acadiana Outstanding Performer Awards, three-time Parish MVP, eight-time Parish Champion (in different events), two-time District MVP, and twelve total All District Honors.
Cody was a three-time regional champion and a recipient of the Regional MVP Award.
A five-time State Qualifier. Two-time State Champion in both the 1600 meter run and 3200 mete run. He was voted the State Track MVP in 2005.
Cody holds both the 1600 meter and 3200 meter records for Erath High, which he set at the Louisiana State Championships held at LSU since 2005.
The most amazing attribute Cody accomplished was in 2005, when he had the fastest 1600 meter time in all Louisiana High School classes (both public and private) at the State Championship Meet.
Cody also holds the fastest 1600 meter run time in Vermilion Parish history.
After graduating from Erath High, Cody received a full track scholarship to LA Tech University.
He competed in both track and Cross Country for the LA Tech. Cody competed in the 2005 Cross Country WAC Conference Championships held at Boise State University in Boise, Idaho.
In 2006, he participated in the track and field WAC Conference Championship at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, where he placed 8th in the 1500-meter finals.
He also ran a leg of the 1200 meter Distance Medley Relay. His Collegiate running journey ended in the fall of 2006 due to a knee injury.Cody started working for Frank’s International (EXPRO) in 2008 while attending ULL. He graduated from ULL in 2009 from the College of Engineering with an emphasis on Industrial Technology and a minor in Business Management. He has been at EXPRO for 17 years and currently manages a well construction refurbishment team.
In 2022, Cody started running again and belongs to the Cajun Road Runners Club and the Levee Breakers Team. They are considered the fastest post-collegiate runners and are coached by the legendary Jarrett LeBlanc. He ran in races in 2024, but had knee surgery in 2025. He says, “his goal after 40 is to race in the USA Track and Field Master Championships.
Cody has been married to Heather Bouillion for 12 years, and they have 2 children, Eden Grace, 8, and Liam, 6. They are in 3rd and 1st grade at ARCA. They reside in Maurice.
His parents are Robert and Andrea Bouillion, and he has a sister, Jessica Bouillion.
Cody shared that the most influential person in his running career is Coach Mark “Skeeter” Theall. He also believes that strength training is the key to getting an edge in competition.

Matt Domingue

Matt Domingue, a 2005 Erath High School graduate, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame for his years as a formidable EHS football player.Matt was a four-year member of the Erath Beta Club and was on the 2004 Powder Puff Court.
As an athlete at Erath High School, Matt lettered in baseball as a pitcher, two years as a forward in Basketball, and one year in track, where he placed 2nd in District in the javelin.
In football, he played three years as a tight end.
In 2004, Matt made First Team All District, First Team All Parish First Team, Best of the Tech, First Team All Acadiana, and First Team All State. He was voted Team Captain his senior year.
In 2010, he graduated from McNeese State University with a degree in Business Management. Matt has been employed with Baker Hughes for fourteen years as a Lead Materials Manager.
Matt and his wife, Amber Tribe Domingue, have been married for fourteen years. They live in Erath, and they are the parents of two boys, Easton, 12 years old and a seventh grader at Erath Middle, and Maddox, who is 11 years old and a fifth grader at LeBlanc Elementary.
Matt’s parents are Christine Domingue, Carroll and Sherry Domingue. He has two siblings, Kailey Domingue Craft and Alexis Marceaux.
Matt shared that the most influential people in his life are his parents.

Todd Rodrigue, PT/ATC

Todd Rodrigue will be inducted into the Erath Hall of Fame as an Honorary member for his achievements in Cross Country and his leadership as an outstanding student and post-high school involvement with the Big Blue Nation.
As a 1986 EHS graduate, his high school academics, club involvement, and awards during his years are to be applauded. He was an athlete and in the Math and Beta Clubs. He was also on the quiz bowl team, a participant in Boys’ State, Parish Government Day Group, Powder Puff Court, and a member of the Industrial Arts Leadership training course.
His high school awards are numerous.
He was the recipient of the following scholarships: Tuition Exempt to USL, Les Travalles, the Gamma Chi Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha, and the Math Club. Todd was a three-time district and one-time State Rally winner. He was also District Runner-Up on the Quiz Bowl Team and a member of the two-time District and State Cross Country team. Todd was the first student trainer at EHS.
After graduating from Erath High School, Todd attended USL, where he was a 2 year student athletic trainer assigned to both the football and tennis teams. He was also a two year scholastically distinguished student of the University. He was elected class Vice President and SGA President, and graduated from PT school in 1990. He then attended LSU Medical Center of Allied Health Professions in Shreveport, where he received his Master’s Degree. He later became a certified Athletic Trainer in 1993. Todd was one of the first dual credentialed Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers in the state.
Todd, along with his partner, the late Monique Arceneaux Sonnier, opened Vermilion Physical Therapy in 1998. They provided sideline coverage for both EHS Football and Track Events. Vermilion PT was sold in 2002, and he now provides contract physical therapy services to local therapy offices. He has been a PT for 35 years.
Todd and his wife Anna, of 33 years, live in Youngsville, LA. They are the parents of twin daughters, Caroline Rodrigue and Avert Jarrach. Both are graduates of Lafayette High School. They have one son, Grant Rodrigue, a St. Thomas More graduate.
Todd’s siblings are Billie Ray Landry, Myron Rodrigue, Randy Rodrigue, and Christine Rodrigue. His parents are the late Ray and Lou Rodrigue.
He is a member of the American Physical Therapist Association, the Louisiana Physical Therapists, the National Athletic Trainers Association, and the Louisiana Athletic Trainers Association.