GameTime heads to the parish seat of Vermilion Parish as the Abbeville Wildcats host the reigning Division III champion St. Charles Catholic Comets. It’s the first ever meeting between the two schools, who are ranked in the Top 10 in their respective classes.
Abbeville, who reached the quarterfinals of the 3A playoffs last season for the first time since 2002, is ranked seventh in Class 3A. While SCC is ranked 3rd in Class 2A.
Last year, the Comets had a season that Hollywood script writers could not write. The school located in LaPlace was one of the hardest hit areas from Hurricane Ida. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, there was some concern a season would not happen.
But coaches and the players made the decision to play to escape a life of living in campers or at friends and relatives’ houses.
It turns out they made the right decision as St. Charles Catholic had an undefeated season and upset four-time state champion Lafayette Christian in the Division III title game 32-27.
And then in May, the baseball team, which was filled with football players won another state title.
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The head coach of both teams is Wayne Stein. Stein has been the baseball coach for several years, but last season was his first season as head coach of the football team, taking over for legendary Frank Monica, who guided three different schools to state titles.
This year St. Charles Catholic is 3-2 as Coach Stein wanted to play a tough schedule so his team would not rest on what they did last year.
The Comets have suffered some significant injuries during the first half of the regular season. Starting QB Ayden Authement is out for the regular season and the Comets have also lost two starting defensive linemen.
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Filling in for Authement at quarterback is Brady St. Pierre, who has a great arm. He will not be afraid of the big moment as he was the starting pitcher in the Comets win in the semifinals.
The Comets bread and butter on offense are their running backs, Semare Scott and Davon Sturgis. The two have combined to rush for over 450 yards and six touchdowns. The two have also combined to catch 26 passes.
The defense is led by Kyle Cannon, who was the MVP in last year’s state championship game. He leads the team in tackles with 51.5 and is a linebacker that can do it all…cover, defend the run and rush the passer.
St. Charles Catholic is once again sensational on special teams. It’s what won them the state championship last year as they blocked three kicks.
They’ve blocked three punts this year and have blocked 26 since 2016.
Abbeville Coach Roderick Moy is aware of SCC’s strengths. It’s why he decided to play the Comets after getting a call from Coach Stein who was looking for a week six opponent.
Abbeville went 11-2 last season before losing to Union Parish in the Class 3A quarterfinals. Coach Moy wants to get back to the quarterfinals and beyond.
He’s got the talent to do it. Jaysen Shelvin leads the offense. The former quarterback will line-up all over the field to get him the ball as much as possible. He’s found the end zone eight times this season.
Abbeville is a run-oriented team, but quarterback Tahj Judge has thrown nine touchdown passes on 18 completions.
The top player on the Wildcats’ defense is Te’Zarron Stewart, who has 41 tackles and six sacks. The three-year starter has offers from the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns and Mississippi State.
Abbeville’s secondary is very good, with a ton of experience. Broderic Fletcher and Tyler Cherry have combined for 17 pass break ups.
Abbeville suffered a one-point loss to Central Catholic in week 2, so the Wildcats want to prove they are truly a championship contender.
Find out if they can do it, or will the Comets take care of business on the road.
Kick-off is at 7 PM on Cox Cable Channel 4 or at yurview.com.
