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Vermilion Catholic had the best start possible against Catholic High Friday night.
On the Panthers’ first possession of the game, Vermilion Catholic blocked a punt, and Travin Moore recovered it in the endzone for a touchdown and a quick 6-0 lead.
Even the missed extra-point after wasn’t too much of a letdown for the Eagles against the Panthers.
“Great job by our kids coming out on fire and making a big play early and getting that touchdown for us,” VC coach Broc Prejean said.
It was so big that Catholic High coach Scott Wattigny could feel it on the other sideline.
“You could just sense the momentum draining from our side and going to their side,” the Catholic High coach said. “That was a huge play for them.”
But something strange happened after that.
Despite the first big play going against them, Catholic High regrouped and came back right at VC while the Eagles seemed not to be able to take advantage of their good fortune to open the game.
The Panthers’ offense started clicking, and the Eagles’ offense never could get going and the result was Catholic High coming away with a 21-6 win to open the season as VC fell to 0-1.
The VC offense, which lit up scoreboards last season, was held to 12 yards rushing and only 38 yards passing in the game.
“A lot of that had to do with Catholic High,” Prejean said. “They had a good game plan, and they have some tough kids.
“We kept our defense on the field too much. As a result, we couldn’t move the chains on offense. But that’s stuff we have to work on. We know that it’s a work in progress.”
Marco Austin did most of the damage for Catholic High as the senior running back rushed for 169 yards on 24 carries and senior K.K. Reno scored all three touchdowns for the Panthers (1-0).
VC’s offense, on the other hand, couldn’t get going.
Quarterback Jonathan Dartez completed only 5-of-24 passes and rushed for 10 yards. Andre´ Poirrier rushed 10 times for 5 yards, and Chris LeMeunier had two catches for 39 yards.
But the Eagles’ only ran 46 offensive plays and held the ball for only 16 minutes in the game.
By contrast, Catholic High ran 68 plays and had the ball for more than 30 minutes.
“There are plays out there to be made, and that’s what we told the kids,” Prejean said. “The film is going to be a lot better than the field is. We need to make those plays.”
The Eagles almost made another great play just before halftime.
Vermilion Catholic blocked a Catholic High field goal, and the ball was picked up by Jake Lege, who took it downfield but was tackled at the two-yard line, just missing on another special teams touchdown on the night.
Prejean said he told the kids to put it behind them and get ready for Opelousas Catholic next week.
“That’s all there is to it,” the VC coach said. “Teams around here are going to see this and smell a little bit of blood in the water, and we have to respect that and understand that, and we have to look inward and make ourselves better.”
Prejean did have praise for two defensive linemen who played hard all game against the CHS rushing attack.
“They wore us down,” Prejean said. “Hats off to our two big boys (Will Allen and Zaine Campbell) for stepping up and playing the entire game essentially.
“I was real pleased with that. They will only get bigger and stronger as the season goes.”

ERATH – A Mass of Christian Burial for Ms. Kathleen Kirkconnell, 63, will be held at 1:00PM on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Andre Metrejean officiating. Interment will follow at The LeBlanc Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at David Funeral Home of Erath on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, from 4:00PM until 9:00PM with a recitation of the rosary at 7:00PM. Visitation will resume on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, from 8:00AM until the time of the services.
Born in Port Isabelle, TX and a resident of Erath, Ms. Kathleen died at 2:00AM on Saturday, September 4, 2021, at Lafayette Extended Care.
She is survived by her son, Ryan Kirkconnell, and his wife Crystal of Erath; Her Parents, Clovis and Stella Badon Stoute; three brothers, John Stoute, Tony Stoute, and Martin Stoute; three sisters, Theresa Stoute, Rita Moss, and Gwen Bodin; three grandchildren, Chelsie Kirkconnell and her fiancé Taylor Broussard, William Kirkconnell, and Sadie Kirkconnell; and two great grandchildren, Whitley Broussard, and Walker Broussard.
Serving as pallbearers will be A. J. Moss, Riley Moss, Tate Bodin, Sean Bodin, Justin Punch and David Hebert.
To help keep the community safe we will honor all Louisiana Mandates, all families and their guest are required to wear a face covering while at the funeral home and church. Thankyou for your understanding during this unprecedented time.
David Funeral Home of Erath, 209 E. Putnam Street, 337-937-0405 is in charge of arrangements.

11/26/52 - 8/14/21

ABBEVILLE — A memorial funeral service will be held honoring the life of Roy R. (Buddy) Theriot, Jr., 68, who died Saturday August 14, 2021 at Doctors’ Regional Medical Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Roy was a resident at River Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Home in Corpus Christi.
Visitation is scheduled on Saturday September 11, 2021 from 9-11am followed by the funeral from 11am-12noon, both at the New Life Church located at 1109 North Lafitte Road in Abbeville, La. Pastor Layne Payne will conduct the service. Roy will be laid to rest during a private family service at St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery.
Roy was a 1970 Abbeville High graduate and 1974 USL graduate in Journalism. He excelled at both schools academically and in sports, especially track and field as a record holder in the shot put and javelin throw. He also starred in football, basketball, and baseball. As a proud Eagle Boy Scout, he attended a World Jamboree in Idaho. After graduating from USL in 1974, Roy attended and graduated from Christ for the Nations Bible College in Dallas, Texas in 1977 with a degree in Theology. It was there where he met and married his wife Rona Dildy. Together, they ventured to McAllen, Texas where for several years they served as missionaries for Christ in Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua. They eventually moved to Corpus Christi, Texas where Roy worked in the oilfield. He relocated to the Tampa, Florida area where he spent much of his life working as an attendant at an assisted living facility as well as a special needs teacher in the school district. He returned to Corpus Christi to live his final years with his family.
Roy is survived by his daughter Shira Theriot Mills and her husband Ben Mills and Roy’s grandson Gideon Mills, his sister Barbara Theriot Horaist and her husband Neal Horaist, his brother Dr. Sammy Theriot and his wife Mary Theriot as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Rona D. Theriot, his father Roy R. Theriot, Sr., and his mother Helen Roberts Theriot.
Honorary pallbearers include grandson Gideon Mills, son-in-law Benjamin Mills, brother-in-law Neal Horaist, and nephews Chris DeBlanc, Mike DeBlanc, and Jacob Theriot.
Due to COVID restrictions, the family respectfully requests that all attendees wear a mask during visitation and the funeral. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made in Roy’s name to either the Roy and Helen Theriot Memorial UL Scholarship at the UL Foundation in Lafayette, La or Christ for the Nations Missionary Assistance Program Services at 3404 Conway St., Dallas, Tx, 75224.

March 17, 1941 ~ September 1, 2021

Ecclesiastes says that our time “under the sun” is short and cannot be extended. Virgie has made great use of this time and I, along with many others, are better for having known her. Now is the time when she lives “under the Son”.
A legend in education and kindness…you are loved through eternity.

KAPLAN — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, September 6, 2021 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church honoring the life of Dr. Virgie M. Dronet, 80, who passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center. She will be laid to rest at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Cemetery with Reverend Mark Miley officiating the services.
Virgie filled many shoes in her lifetime. She was an educator, a photographer, a wood burning artist, a cousin to many, a loyal friend, a loving daughter, and the best oldest sister Judy and Melissa could have ever had. She was a 1959 graduate of Kaplan High School. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in education from USL, currently University of Louisiana at Lafayette, an educational technology specialist degree from McNeese, and her doctorate from East Texas State University. Virgie’s true legacy had been in the mentorship of her students at Lake Arthur High School for 26 years where she taught math, science, yearbook, and computer courses. She later enjoyed 15 years as an Educational Media Technology Professor at McNeese State University, receiving the first ever distinguished faculty award. Virgie retired as head of the department with 41 years as an educator. She was a role model of what a teacher should be, giving guidance and loving advice long after students’ classes ended. Lives were enriched by knowing her. She will be missed by many, especially her students. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters Association and the Library Club in Lake Arthur, the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, The Kaplan Musee, Kaplan Arts Council, and a church lector.
Virgie joined DKG in 1967. During her 50 year membership she achieved countless accolades. Friendships with fellow DKG members were her pride and joy. She and Judy’s travels to conventions were their best times.
She is survived by her two sisters, Judy L. Dronet of Kaplan and Melissa A. Dronet of Lafayette; her aunt, Betty "Taunt Sis" of Cow Island; and numerous cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Percy J. Dronet and the former Zula Harrington.
The family request that masks be worn in the church.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, 600 N. Church Avenue, on Monday, September 6, 2021 from 11:00 AM until the time of the services at 2:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 12:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers donations made to Virgie’s account at Marlene’s Flower Shop are accepted for future masses and floral arrangements for the church.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Dronet family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.