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DELCAMBRE - Delcambre’s Morris Cole, Jr. has not played football in a couple of years, not since junior high.
But when he decided to come out for football as a junior, it didn’t take head football coach Artie Liuzza long to notice what Cole could bring to the table.
“I think that he played one year in junior high, but I can remember being on top of the press box my first year here and watching Morris run sprints on the track in the end zone.
“He’s surprisingly quick and has some speed for someone his size. When I saw him, I knew that he was someone who could give opposing centers some trouble on the line. That is when I knew that he could play nose guard for us.”
So the 5-foot-5, 215-pound junior, who’s strong enough to do 10 reps at 225 on the bench press, became the Panthers’ starting nose guard who can plug up the gaps in the defensive line.
“He always wants to race someone, to show off his speed,” Liuzza said. “He’s a naturally strong guy in the weight room. We’re hoping that he can have a breakout year on the defensive line.”
For someone who hasn’t played football in a few years, coming back to the game can be rough, but Liuzza said that Cole is getting the hang of one of the more critical positions on the field on the defensive side.
“He’s getting his assignments down,” the DHS coach said. “He’s doing a great job in practice. He’s quick off the ball and is tough to handle.”
Cole quickly tells you exactly what he has to do in the middle of the defensive line.
“I have to protect the A gap (the gap between center and guards on either side of the ball) and try to go for the quarterback or make the tackle,” he said. “It’s nice to be playing football, and so far, it’s been good to get out on the field.”
But what made Cole get back on the field after time off?
“I don’t know why I didn’t play,” he said. “But a lot of people told me that I would be good at playing, so I decided to take their offer and come out and play.”
Cole said that the most challenging part has been learning to protect the A gap, but he’s been able to pick up the various nuances of the position.
“The easiest part has been making the tackle,” Cole said. “I’m pretty good at that.”
As for personal goals this season, Cole wants to win three games in a row and then see how far the Panthers can go from there.
For Liuzza, he wants Cole to have a chance to shine.
“I’d just like to see him play disciplined football and cause some frustration for the offense,” he said. “Maybe force them to double-team him to stop him from helping out the rest of our defense.
“As I said, he’s quick, and I think he can get by a few centers.”

NEW ORLEANS — The Sun Belt Conference has nominated Anett Nemeth (Coastal Carolina volleyball) and Claire Meyers -Armstrong (Louisiana outdoor track and field) for the 2021 NCAA Woman of the Year award.
The NCAA Woman of the Year award honors graduating female student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in academics, athletics, service and leadership.
“Anett and Claire are model Sun Belt student-athletes and we are proud of their accomplishments. They have thrived academically while servicing their communities and competing at a high level. We’re delighted to nominate them for this prestigious honor,” said Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill.
Nemeth and Meyers will be forwarded to the NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee. It will choose the top 10 honorees in each division, then pull nine finalists—three from each division—from those 30 honorees, before naming the 2021 NCAA Woman of the Year this fall.
Meyers, a Maurice, Louisiana, native, owns the Ragin’ Cajuns’ school record for javelin, along with that of the Sun Belt Conference championship. She was named to the All-Sun Belt First Team in 2021, after a Third Team nod in 2019. The star javelin thrower has been recognized beyond the Sun Belt Conference, having notched Second Team All-Louisiana honors in 2021 and recently competed in the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials. Meyers served as the president of the Ragin’ Cajuns Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, where she spearheaded various community service campaigns.

ERATH — A mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Fanges “Frank” Joseph Gary will be held on Friday, August 13, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Father Metrejean officiating. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Mausoleum with full military honors provided by Acadian Honor Guard.
Visitation will be held at David Funeral Home in Erath on August 12, 2021 from 3PM until 9PM with a recitation of the rosary at 6PM. Visitations will resume on Friday August 13, 2021 from 8AM until time of service.
A resident of Youngsville, Mr. Frank passed away on Monday, August 9, 2021. Frank’s forty-year career span in the ship-building industry concluded as Manager of the Simmesport satellite office of Gulf Craft LLC.
Frank honorably served his country through the Louisiana Army National Guard from 1963-1969.
He was a devout Catholic, whose love reflected through his family. He always strove to be the ultimate role model for his children and grandchildren in his everyday life, loving from the heart, totally committed to his bride of 55 years. That unwavering commitment to marriage and family is strongly reflected in his oldest son’s own marital life.
Frank and his youngest daughter shared a common trait of love, care and compassion for animals. He never missed an opportunity to teach his grandsons how to create and improve the world around them. With his youngest son, he cherished the time he had teaching him how to bring muscle cars back to life. It was important for Frank to teach his daughters and only granddaughter AKA,” Princess” the definition of a real gentleman.
He had a passion for making the family house a home of beauty and comfort for him and his wife and all those who visited. He was always present and available to lend a hand to a neighbor or family member in need without hesitation, even if it meant taking time to fish with the little boy next door!
Frank was the definition of selfless to his wife, children and grandchildren. Because of this, his destiny will live on through their lives and all those that were touched by his love.
Frank is survived by his wife, Sally Ann Decoux Gary of Youngsville; his sons, Jody Paul Gary and wife Leyda of Hammond, and Tyler Scott Gary and wife Casey of Ville Platte; his daughters, Jill Francine Gary Pratt and husband, Randy of Broussard and Tiffany Claire Gary Romero of New Iberia; his brother, Octave Gary, Jr. and wife Linda of Jeanerette; his sisters, Rita Boudreaux and husband Johnny of Franklin, and Sandy Gaspard and husband Wilton of New Iberia;
His grandchildren, Andrew Gary (Amanda), Amber Bowers and husband Seth, Brennan Pratt and wife Monica, Justin Bailey and wife Simone, Laken Gary, John Gunterman and nine great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Octave Joseph Gary Sr., and Rita Edmonia LeBlanc Gary and grandchild, Darien Greenwood.
Pallbearers will be Jody Gary, Tyler Gary, Randy Pratt, Brennan Pratt, Justin Bailey and Seth Bowers.
Honorary pallbearers will be Andrew Gary, Laken Gary and John Gunterman.
The family wishes to thank the Staff of Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center for their exceptional care given to Frank.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
To help the community stay safe we will honor the August 1, 2021 Louisiana Mandates.  All families and their guests are required to wear a face-covering while at the funeral home and church. Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented time.
David Funeral Home of Erath (337)937-0405 209 E. Putnam St. will be handling the arrangements.

​Four people have been arrested in connection to the shooting death of Marlon Brown, which occurred in Abbeville more than three years ago.
Cody Guidry is facing a 2nd-degree murder charge, and three others have been booked for obstruction of justice, in connection to Brown’s death in early 2018.
On Feb. 7, 2018, at approximately 12:05 a.m., officers of the Abbeville Police Department responded to the area of Graceland Avenue and Hawthorne Street in reference to shots being fired in the area. The initial investigation determined that a male victim identified as Marlon Brown of Abbeville had been shot and killed near his residence on Hawthorne Street. The detective division of the Abbeville Police Department began the investigation, but unfortunately, was unable to secure adequate evidence in order to make an arrest in the case. Over time, the case failed to continue to produce new leads, and the case became a cold case.
​Investigators were able to recently learn new evidence in the case, which led detectives to be able to secure arrest warrants against several subjects involved in this homicide. Detectives were able to make arrests on the following subjects involved in this case:
• Cody Guidry – 2nd Degree Murder
• Travis Cooper – Obstruction of Justice; Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
• Nikki Hebert – Obstruction of Justice
• Tanesha Hills – Obstruction of Justice
Abbeville Chief of Police William Spearman would like to thank the detective division and all that assisted on a job well done. No details of the case are being released to the public at this time. More arrests are possible regarding this homicide.
​The Abbeville Police Department is asking that anyone who have any information regarding this case, or any other crime, to please contact the Abbeville Police Department by calling 893-2511. You may contact our “Tips” line at 892-6777. All callers may remain anonymous. Citizens may also send anonymous tips through the Tip411 system at the department’s Facebook page @ www.facebook.com/AbbevillePolice Department/, the official web page @ www.abbevillepd.com by clicking on the “Submit a Tip” link provided or through the official Abbeville Police Department app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.