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LEROY — The North Vermilion Patriots are in the midst of the toughest part of their football schedule, a rugged five-game district slate that includes four teams that have been ranked in the top 10 in the latest Class 4A poll taken by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and five teams in the top 16 of the select and non-select power rankings.
The Patriots (2-4 overall, 0-1 District 5-4A) are dealing with that gauntlet of games by focusing on themselves rather than fretting about the opposing team. North Vermilion travels to New Iberia tonight to take on 10th-ranked Westgate (4-2 overall, 0-1 district).
North Vermilion lost this past week at No. 1 St. Thomas More, 54-0. Westgate fell to No. 7 Teurlings 38-14.
“You don’t always like playing on Thursday, but after last week ,I think this is a good thing that we’re playing Thursday,” North Vermilion coach Joe Heintz. “We speed up the week a little bit and get back on the field as quickly as we can.”
STM, the defending Division II select state champion, is probably better than last year because the Cougars are solid across the board on defense, Heintz said
“To me, in my opinion, this is one of the best defenses they’ve had,” he said.
Outside of a couple of early pass plays in the first half that helped the Patriots flip the field, North Vermilion couldn’t sustain much offensively and never reached the end zone.
Tucker Denais (73 carries, 286 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Norris Benoit (23-239, 3 TDs) both rank in the top 10 in Vermilion Parish in rushing and lead the Patriots. Benoit also has a team-high 114 yards receiving with a touchdown on four catches. Owen LeBlanc adds three catches for 69 yards and a TD, with quarterback Logan Thompson throwing for 220 yards and three touchdowns in limited pass attempts (22 on the season).
Westgate will give the Patriots another set of obstacles to overcome.
“They’re big up front and they’re athletic in the skill positions,” Heintz said. “It’s another challenge for us.”
To counter that, Heintz said, North Vermilion must play well.
“We have to tackle well,” Heintz said. “Even though their quarterback is out with an injury (vs. Teurlings), they have kids in the skill positions that if we don’t tackle, it can be a long night. And we have to manufacture some first downs on offense and put the ball in the end zone at some point.”
North Vermilion will run its offense and try to get better at what it does, following the coach’s philosophy of continuing to improve throughout the season.
“And hopefully have a couple of wrinkles here and there that’ll maybe spring a big play and maybe a score,” Heintz said. “But really, right now we just have to get better up front at blocking and better on the perimeter as well at blocking, and sustaining blocks. We do a pretty good job of coming off of the line of scrimmage, but a lot of times we’re engaging and then we’re done. We’ve got to sustain our blocks.”

ACADIA PARISH – At 9:30 p.m., on October 8, 2023, Louisiana State Police Troop I was notified of a crash involving a pedestrian on Louisiana Highway 95 near Louisiana Highway 754, south of Church Point in Acadia Parish. The crash claimed the life of 38-year-old Tyler O. Roberts of Rayne.
The preliminary investigation by State Police revealed Roberts was walking in the northbound lane of LA 95 when he was struck by a northbound 2017 Ford Escape.
Roberts was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time after arrival. The driver of the Ford was restrained and not injured.
Impairment on the part of Roberts is unknown, but a standard toxicology sample was taken for analysis. The driver of the Ford submitted a breath sample, indicating no alcohol present and was not impaired at the time of the crash. This crash remains under investigation.
A majority of pedestrian fatalities, nearly 70 percent, occur at night. Troopers urge pedestrians to maintain heightened awareness while walking near the road. Simple precautions such as wearing reflective materials, avoiding distractions, not walking too close to roadways, and walking against the flow of traffic could prevent most pedestrian-related crashes.
Troop I has investigated 38 fatal crashes resulting in 43 deaths in 2023.

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP
MANAGEMENT & CIRCULATION

1. Publication Title: The Gueydan Journal
2. Publication No.: 74-4910
3. Filing Date: September 30, 2023
4. Issue Frequency: Weekly
5. No. of Issues Published Annually: 52
6. Annual Subscription Price: $25.00
7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 311 Main St. Gueydan, Vermilion Parish, LA 70542.
8. Complete Mailing Address of the Headquarters of General Business Offices of the Publisher: Same
9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Address of Publisher, Editor and Managing Editor: Publisher: Harold Gonzales, 602 N. Parkerson, Crowley, LA 70526; Editor Judy LeBlanc, 311 Main Street, Gueydan, La. 70542.
10. Owner: LSN Publishing Company LLC, 600 Jefferson St., Lafayette, LA 70501.
11. Known Bondholders, Mortgages and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or other Securities: None
13. Publication Name; The Gueydan Journal
14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: September 30, 2023.
15. Extent and Nature of Circulation
a. Total Number of Copies (Net press run)
Average No. copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 700
No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 700
b. Paid Circulation (By Mail and outside the Mail)
(1) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541 (Include paid distribution above nominal rate, advertiser’s proof copies, and exchange copies)
Average No. copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 56
No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 55
(2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541 (Include paid distribution above nominal rate, advertiser’s proof copies, and exchange copies)
Average No. copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 219
No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 119
(3) Paid Distribution Outside the Mails Including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS
Average No. copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 200
No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 200
(4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS (e.g. First-Class Mail)
Average No. copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 0
No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 0
c. Total Paid Distribution (Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3), and (4))
Average No. copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 475
No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 446
d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (By Mail and Outside the Mail)
(1) Free or Nominal Rate Outside County Copies included on PS Form 3541
Average No. copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 0
No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 0
(2) Free or Nominal Rate In-County Copies included on PS Form 3541
Average No. copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 0
No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 0
(3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies mailed at Other Classes Through the USPS (e.g. First-Class Mail)
Average No. copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 0
No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 0
(4) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside the Mail (Carriers or other means)
Average No. copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 35
No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 35
e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (Sum of 15d (1), (2), (3) and (4))
Average No. copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 35
No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 35
f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e)
Average No. copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 510
No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 481
g. Copies Not Distributed
Average No. copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 50
No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 50
h. Total (Sum of 15f and g)
Average No. copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 560
No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 531
i. Percent Paid (15c divided by 15f times 100)
Average No. copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 94%
No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 93%
16. Electronic Copy Circulation
a. Paid Electronic Copies
Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 7
No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 10
b. Total Paid Print Copies (Line 15c) + Paid Electronic Copies (Line 16a)
Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 482
No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 456
c. Total Print Distribution (Line 15f) + Paid Electronic Copies (Line 16a)
Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 517
No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 491
d. Percent Paid (Both Print & Electronic Copies)(16b divided by 16c x 100)
Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 94%
No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 93%
17. Publication of Statement of Ownership will be printed in the October 5, 2023, issue of this publication.
18. Signature and Title of Manager
/s/ Harold Gonzales
Publisher Date: 9/30/2023
I certify that all the information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).

Published in The Gueydan Journal Thursday, October 5, 2023.

KAPLAN - The Kaplan Pirates improved to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in the district after surpassing the now 0-6 Crowley Gents this past Friday.
The Pirates used ball control and a stingy defense to get the job done en route to a 22-13 victory.
Heading into the Friday game, Kaplan stood at No. 18 in the Division II Non-Select PowerPoint standings, according to GeauxPrep.com. The win could move them up a notch or two.
The top 28 teams make the Division II playoffs. The top five teams get a first-round bye.
The Pirates only led 8-7 at halftime and knew they were in a dogfight.
So, who did they turn to when the game was on the line?
None other than their big fullback Jed Devoltz. Devoltz is back in the lineup after missing 3 1/2 games due to an elbow injury. With the elbow wrapped, Devoltz used his legs to pound the Gents’ defense.
In the first half, he only had two carries for nine yards. He finished the game with 22 carries and 116 yards and scored twice. He carried the football 20 times and rushed for 107 yards in the second half. He averaged five yards a carry in the second half.
After KHS defensive back Andre Marceaux stopped a fake punt on fourth down, the Pirates got the ball and marched 46 yards for a score.
Devoltz had nine straight carries on the drive, including a three-yard touchdown run that put KHS ahead 16-7 with 3:35 to play in the third frame.
“I have been looking forward to returning and playing,” said Devoltz. “I have been ready.”
Devoltz did not lose yardage in the second half, and he credits his offensive line for getting the job done.
“They could not stop our offensive line,” he added. “The line would just blow everyone off the ball. I ran behind my blockers. If not for the offensive line, I could not do what I do.”
Hayes Broussard, a 16-year-old junior, was one of those players on the offensive line. He also plays linebacker.
Broussard turned in one of the best games of the young season by finishing with seven tackles, including a fumble recovery on defense.
“My job on defense was to try and contain No. 8 (Omar Butler),” Broussard said. “I think we had success tonight.”
Butler had only 55 yards on 17 carries for Crowley.
Broussard also opened holes for Devoltz as an offensive guard. Playing both ways did not bother him.
“You get tired, but when you get that 10-second break in the huddle, it helps a lot,” he added.
Despite being outsized and outweighed, the Kaplan offensive line successfully moved the Crowley defensive linemen off the ball, allowing Delvoltz to run through.
“When you have heart and stay low, anything can happen,” Broussard said.
Like a Kaplan win.

Statistics for game:

Scoring:
KHS - Bradyn Bearb had a 1 yard TD run and Carter Petrey converted the two-point play, 8-0.
CHS - Maddix Richard 53 yard pass to Floyd Fluegence. Kick good, 8-7
KHS - Jed Devoltz 3 yard run. Petrey run for 2, 16-7
KHS - Devoltz 8 run. Two -point play failed, 22-7
CHS - Omar Butler 7 run. Pass failed, 22-13

Individual stats:

KHS: Ball carriers: Jed Devoltz (22-116, 2 TD); Daylon Landry (8-70), Wyatt Hebert (7-62); Bradyn Bearb (12-59-1); Dane Frick (2-15) and Sabe Davis (4-3 yards).

Passing: KHS: Sabe David (1-for-2, 36 yards): CHS: Maddix Richard (11-for-20-1 Int, 177 yards).

Receiving: KHS: Daylon Landry (1-36); CHS Floyd Flugence (11-177, 1 TD);