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Vermilion Catholic's Dartez finds new home: Nicholls State

Nicholls State football stadium in Thibodaux feels like home for Vermilion Catholic senior Jonathan “JonJon” Dartez. Because of that special feeling, he decided to spend the next four years playing football and getting an education.
Nicholls State offered Dartez a football scholarship and he accepted the offer. Today, (Wednesday), Dartez is expected to sign a letter of intent from Nicholls State.
Nicholls State felt at home because he had played two high school football games there; he practiced in the stadium before this year’s state championship game. He also went to the Manning football camp there a few years ago.
VC played former district foe Covenant Christian twice in Nicholls Stadium,.
So, when he and his father, Darrin, toured the stadium and the athletic facilities, they felt like they were “coming home.”
“I was not nervous at all,” said Dartez about touring the campus. “It was relaxing. It felt like home when I walked into the stadium.  The coaches also made me feel comfortable.”
The Colonels play in the Southland Conference and posted a 4-8 season in 2024.
On his visit, he met with new Nicholls head football coach Tommy Rybacki. Rybacki is starting his first year as the head coach. He was the defensive coordinator at Nicholls for 10 years. 
He replaces Tim Rebowe, who retired from coaching after 10 years at Nicholls State.
Dartez, who stands 5-9, led the Eagles to a perfect 14-0 season in 2024. He ended the season leading the team with 2,761 rushing yards on 348 carries and 44 touchdowns.   He threw for 1,638 yards and 23 touchdowns in the air with a 63% completion rate.
He has rushed for 7,018 yards and threw for 5,000 yards in four years. 
Despite accumulating more than 12,000 yards in the air and on the ground,  one stat never gets any attention.
He has 563 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Look for Dartez to play a slot receiver in college. It is a position he has always dreamed of playing. He watched his older brother, Saul, play wide receiver at VC.
“I like the way a receiver runs the route. It could be a perfect route,” he said. “Plus, I always thought a receiver  was more fun to watch.”
Dartez is Nicholls State’s 11th committed player heading into the National Signing Day. All 11 are from Louisiana, and four of the 11 are wide receivers.

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VC’s Lene Claire Romero (middle) won her 132 weight class and was the named the top female lightweight lifter.

VC’s Romero power lifts to 1st place

The Vermilion Catholic Powerlifting team competed at the Elton Invitational on Saturday in preparation for regionals and won seven medals.
The girls regional meet is on Feb. 22 and the boys will be on March 1.
Here are the VC athletes who won medals.
Lene Claire Romero is proving she is turning into the best female power lifter from VC.
Last year she competed in the 123.5 pound weight class. This year she is lifting in the weight class.
Last week, she lifted a total of 820 pounds and won first place in her weight class. She was also named the Outstanding Overall Lightweight Female lifter.
Here are other VC lifters and where they placed.
• Haies Devenport (870 total pounds, 3rd place)
• Jackson Dubois (1,105 total pounds, 3rd place)
• Micah Kiehl (1,035 total pounds, 2nd place)
• Nate Trahan (1,020 total pounds, 3rd place)
• Kayne Fanguy (1,120 total pounds, 2nd place)

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Amani Linton made a game winning three pointer to help beat St. Martinville last week.

Lady Wildcats win district thriller

The No. 5-ranked Abbeville Lady Wildcats used a 22-point performance from Alyria Greene and a last-second three pointer from Amani Linton to defeat the No. 12 St. Martinville Lady Tigers 51-48 in District 5-3A action Friday night.
Abbeville (15-4, 5-0) turned a 30-34 second-half deficit into a 44-35 fourth-quarter advantage. St. Martinville answered the 14-1 run with a 13-4 run of its own to knot the score at 48 with 9.7 seconds to play.
Tianna Briggs dribbled up the court and passed to Nia Darby, who found Linton camping on the wing. The freshman caught the pass, turned, and let it fly. The shot caught nothing but net and sent the home-crowd into a frenzy with three seconds left to play.
“I was nervous at first,” Linton said. I was looking to pass, but then I saw the goal and just shot it. I did it twice before in middle school, so I knew I was going to make it.”
Greene set the tone for the Lady Cats with her consistency. She scored 11 points in the first half and 11 in the second.
“As a senior I have to lead by example” Greene said. “If I give my maximum effort, my teammates will too, and we’ll get where we want to be.
“Also, when adversity hits, we have to pick each other up. We can’t hang our heads. We have to turn it up and find a way.”
St. Martinville (13-6, 3-2) kept the game close throughout. They lost the first quarter 13-10 but won the second quarter 10-13 to make it 23-23 at the half.
The back and forth continued in the third quarter as neither team could gain any separation. The Lady Tigers led 33-34 heading into the fourth. Abbeville started the fourth on an 11-1 run before St. Martinville answered and set up Linton’s heroics.
Keira Gordon joined Greene in double figures with 12 points. Nia Darby scored seven while Linton added five. Khrystani Samuels dropped three points while Briggs scored two.
Abbeville continues District 5-3A play this week as they traveled to Erath on Tuesday and will host ARCA on Friday.

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Wildcat Trentin Cormier made four three pointers in the Abbeville/St. Martinville game.

Abbeville boys get past St. Martinville in district

The No. 15-ranked Abbeville Wildcats won their fifth-consecutive game Friday and avenged their last loss with a 45-40 victory over the No. 27 St. Martinville Tigers.
While head coach Trevor Eaton thought his team played well, he thanked the Abbeville Lady Cats for inspiring them.
“The girls set the tone for the day by putting themselves in prime position to be the champions of District 5-3A,” Eaton said. “Our guys said if they can do it, we can do it too. And that’s exactly what they did. They came out and executed the game plan. The whole team stepped up and played a great game.”
Abbeville (16-12, 4-1) built a 19-14 second-quarter lead behind Trentin Cormier’s third three of the first half. They expanded it to 22-14 before the Tigers closed the half on a 4-0 run to make it 22-18 at the break.

The Wildcats started the second half on an 8-2 run to claim a 30-20 lead with 2:52 left in the third. Cormier’s fourth three of the game made it 33-24 heading into the fourth.
St. Martinville (11-14, 4-1) began the fourth quarter on an 8-2 run to get within 35-32 with five minutes left on the clock. The Wildcats answered with a 6-2 run to push the lead back to 41-34 with 3:12 to play.
The Tigers battled back, getting as close as 43-40 with a minute to play. Chayson Gray made two free throws with 11.1 seconds remaining to provide the final margin.
“That snow break benefitted us more than anyone in the state,” Eaton said. “We had plateaued. That break gave us a refresher. It let the kids know they can’t take this for granted because at any moment it can be taken from them. They came out this week and really showed how much they love the game of basketball.”

Cormier and Gray led the Wildcats with 12 points each. Cameron Samuels tossed in eight while Roderick Cunningham and Kobe Vital each dropped four. Jacolby Campbell added three points while Nigel Baudoin scored two.

Abbeville traveled to Erath on Tuesday. They will host ARCA on Friday.

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NV freshman keeper Piper Vice had a great game in the playoffs. During regulation and in four overt-times, Vice did not allow a goal.

North Vermilion Lady Patriots soccer team falls in the first round of playoffs

LEROY - The North Vermilion Lady Patriots soccer team lost a heartbreaker in the first round of the Division II soccer playoffs held this past weekend.
The Lady Patriots entered the first round as the No. 15 seed and met No. 18 Ouachita Christian. The game lasted two and half hours. When regulation ended, forcing the game into two 10 minute overtimes and then followed by two five minute overtimes.
The contest finally ended in a 4-2 shoot-out.

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Ava Denais of North Vermilion drives to the goal.

North Vermilion Lady Patriots fall to Barbe

LAKE CHARLES - North Vermilion Lady Patriots head coach Jack LeBlanc is always looking for ways to improve the girls’ basketball team. 
In mid-January, he saw a way. He added the Class 5A Barbe Lady Buccaneers (24-3) to the schedule. Barbe is off to a great start and is ranked in the top five of the Division I Power rankings. 
On Monday, the Lady Patriots, on a 21-game winning streak and ranked No. 3 in the Division II power rankings,  traveled to Barbe High to battle the Lady Buccaneers in preparation for what is about to be the most challenging part of their schedule.
The Lady Patriots’ (21-2) next three opponents have a combined record of 46-20. They travel to Teurlings Catholic (16-7) on  Friday, entertain St. Thomas More (14-7) on Tuesday and end the regular season on the road against Rayne (16-6).
The odds are the Lady Patriots’ next three opponents are not going to be as good as Barbe. North Vermilion’s 21-game winning streak came to an end, falling to Barbe 58-25. It was NV’s first loss since Nov. 19, when Oberlin won 61-57 to open the season.
“This is why I scheduled Barbe,” said LeBlanc. “Once we got to the point where we were winning so many games before we played Teurlings and St. Thomas More, they (NV) needed a test. Do I think Barbe is 33 points better than us? Probably not, but when you make eight three-pointers in the first half, their confidence was sky high, and our confidence was done.”
Barbe put the game away in the first quarter, nailing eight six 3-pointers and only two- 2-pointers to take a 24-8 lead.
The closest the Lady Patriots got to Barbe was 90 seconds into the game when Kenzie Marceaux made a jumper to make it an 8-4 game. 
Three minutes later, Barbe led 19-5.  Ava Denais ended Barbe’s 11-0 run with a three-pointer at the 2:42 mark in the first period. She finished the game with seven points.
Barbe led 40-17 at halftime.
The second half was not much better for the Lady Patriots. In fact, they did not make a bucket in the third period. The only two points they scored were two free throws by Reagan Semien. 
North Vermilion’s first bucket of the second half happened with three minutes left in the game.   Chloe LeBlanc made a layup. Lady Patriots’ Ashanté Rose and Emme Kelly also made baskets in the fourth quarter. 
Coach LeBlanc said playing a team like Barbe was a good experience for his squad. “We have not had to struggle for a while. That struggle now will help us in the long run of what we are trying to do.”

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Two qualify for special election for Abbeville CitY Council seat in District B

Two candidates qualified for the March 29 special election for the District B seat on the Abbeville City Council.
Rachel Touchet Mouton and Francis Plaisance entered their names in the race. The three-day qualifying period ended at 4:30 p.m.
The winner of the March special election will serve the remainder of Francis Touchet Jr.’s unexpired term, which ends in June of 2026.
Touchet stepped down last September to focus his full attention on his job as superintendent of the Lafayette Parish School System. Touchet represented District B since first being elected ‘02.

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Photo courtesy of Marcy Lege
Vermilion Catholic students gather in front of the United States Capitol in Washington.

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Photos courtesy of Marcy Lege
Vermilion Catholic seniors (L-R) Hudson Hebert, Jonathan Dartez, Marley Moore and Ryan Shelton lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. Each of the students has a connection to service and leadership.

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Photos courtesy of Marcy Lege
Vermilion Catholic Student of the Year, John Fontenot, was interviewed by EWTN - Global Catholic Television Network at the March for Life.

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Jackson Trahan carried the VC flag for the March on Friday, Jan. 24

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Students and parents that are alumni of Mount Carmel gathered in front of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Statue at Mount St Mary's.

Vermilion Catholic seniors visit Washington

They take part in March for Life, also visited Philadelphia and Maryland

In a display of unity and purpose, Vermilion Catholic senior students and parents embarked on an unforgettable journey to Washington, D.C., to participate in the annual March for Life National march.
This meaningful trip, led by retired principal Mike Guilbeaux and his wife, Anne, has been a cherished tradition for the past 14 years.
Highlighting the trip was a poignant moment at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where four distinguished seniors had the honor of laying a wreath.
These students, Jonathan Dartez, Marley Moore, Ryan Shelton, and Hudson Hebert, were chosen to represent their school in this solemn ceremony.
Each student brought a unique connection to service and leadership, underscoring the values of their community. Jonathan Dartez, whose father served in the National Guard, and Marley Moore, the daughter of police officer Trevon Moore, carried forward their family legacies of dedication. Hudson Hebert, the senior class president, and Ryan Shelton added to the tribute of respect and remembrance.
The journey began in the vibrant city of New York, where the group paid their respects at the 9/11 Museum and enjoyed the cultural richness of a Broadway play.
From there, they traveled through the historic streets of Philadelphia and Maryland, absorbing the rich tapestry of American history and visiting historical Catholic churches, before reaching their final destination in Washington, D.C.

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Francis Roger Trahan

July 16, 1954 - January 27, 2025

ABBEVILLE — Funeral Services for Mr. Francis Roger Trahan, 70, will be held at Frioux-David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Ryan Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Frioux-David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Friday, January 31, 2025 from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. Visitation will resume on Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 8 a.m. until the time of services.
A native of Abbeville, Mr. Francis passed away on Monday, January 27, 2025. He liked being outdoors and going fishing. He enjoyed all sports and had a special place in his heart for LSU football. Above all, he loved spending time with his family.
He is survived by his children, Daphne Broussard and her husband David, Brian Baudoin, Candy Sanders, Celeste Meche and her husband Scotty, Francis Trahan, and Laramie Trahan; his grandchildren, Roland Campbell, Dillon Sonnier, Scotty Meche, Jr. and his wife Andrea, Bradley Meche, Katelynn Zamora and her husband Gael, Brenden Meche, Sophie Trahan, Emily Clary and her husband Hays, Bailey Baudoin, Chloe Primeaux and her wife Madison, Jillian Baudoin, and Gavin Trahan and his wife Allie; his great grandchildren, Cohen Trahan, Carsen Trahan, Wyatt Meche, and Liliana Campbell; and his siblings, Michael Trahan, Malcom Trahan and his wife Sendie, Riley Trahan and his wife Bonnie, and Jimmy Trahan.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Mouton Trahan; his parents, Francis Trahan and Elodie Frederick Trahan; and his siblings, Wilbert Trahan, Steve Trahan, Rickey Trahan, Judy Robicheaux, and Patsy Roche.
Serving as pallbearers will be Michael Trahan, Bradly Meche, Malcom Trahan, Laramie Trahan, Natasha Trahan, and Scotty Meche, Jr.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Riley Trahan, Brenden Meche, David Roche, and Gael Zamora.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfunealhome.org
Frioux-David Funeral Home of Abbeville 2600 Charity St. (337)893-3777 will be handling the arrang

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