Abbeville records second shutout

LAFAYETTE - The Abbeville Wildcats improved to 4-0 after whipping the Class 4A Northside Vikings 25-0 on Friday.
While the offense has been scoring points and hogging the limelight, the Wildcats’ defense is looking for some love.
When the game ended, the defense celebrated probably more than the offense because it meant the defense pitched its second straight shutout. For the last eight quarters, no one has scored on Abbeville’s defense.
For a defender, that is like a pitcher throwing a no-hitter in baseball.
Abbeville nose guard Zaylun Williams, a sophomore, was aware no points were scored on the Wildcats.
“To get the shutout was huge,” said Williams. “For us to come out here and execute. We came in prepared and dominated. It is because of our coaching staff, who prepared us for the game.”
The Viking, who fell to 0-4, did not have 100 yards of total offense. However, Abbeville’s defense held them to 30 yards rushing and 60 yards passing. The cornerbacks even got into the picture with two interceptions.
McKinsey Nicholas and Tyler Cherry each had an interception. Cherry’s ran back his interception for 52 yards. Abbeville, however, did not take advantage of the interception.
The only thing that slowed Abbeville down was Abbeville. The Wildcats had more than 100 yards of penalties, and many occurred at crucial times.
Parish-leading running back Blake Saddler, who had a typical night running the football, had two touchdowns called back because of two holding penalties.
Saddler did manage to finish with 155 yards and three touchdowns.
The Wildcats executed a balanced offense for the first time this season.
They ran for 244 yards and threw for a season-high 143 yards passing. The Wildcats totaled 387 yards of offense.
“It was a hard-fought football game,” said AHS head coach Roderick Moy. “We did a great job on defense keeping out of the end zone. We ran some clock. We were able to do what we wanted to do.”
Abbeville had a 19-0 lead at halftime.
Abbeville took its opening drive in the first quarter, ate five minutes off the clock, and Saddler scored on a 4-yard TD run.
Saddler, once again, showed his speed when he darted 80 yards downfield for a touchdown. He went untouched.
On Abbeville’s third possession of the first half, the Wildcats marched 69 yards in 10 plays. The two big plays on the drive a 60-yard pass completion to Rylan Regan. Then, AHS quarterback Jaysen Shelvin floated a pass to a wide-open Chad Nolan, who was backpedaling when he caught the pass.
The TD pass went for 31 yards in the second period and gave AHS a cushion 19-0 lead.
It is only the second time since 2002 that a Wildcat team started 4-0.
Next up for Abbeville is another road game. They travel to Opelousas, who beat Vinton, 39-7.