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VPHS to compete in Oakdale tourney

News Staff
Thursday, January 5, 2023
By: TONY MARKS Editor OAKDALE – The Ville Platte High Bulldogs will compete in the inaugural Oakdale New Year’s Tip-Off presented by RoyOMartin. The tournament begins tonight with the Bulldogs taking on Tioga at 6 p.m. The night’s action ends with Oakdale going against Rapides.
The parish’s co-offensive MVP Hayden Droddy was the first-team all-district selection, passing and rushing for over 1K yards and nearly 40 total touchdowns. (Photo courtesy of Angela Deville)

The parish’s co-offensive MVP Hayden Droddy was the first-team all-district selection, passing and rushing for over 1K yards and nearly 40 total touchdowns. (Photo courtesy of Angela Deville)

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Late-blooming QB Droddy hits ceiling on way to co-MVP

News Staff
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
By: RHETT MANUEL Sports Editor VILLE PLATTE – There was a time this past offseason when Sacred Heart quarterback and Evangeline Parish co-offensive MVP Hayden Droddy wasn’t the front-runner for the position.
The District 5-1A offensive MVP Ashton Deaville was the focal point of Basile’s veer offense, rushing for 1130 yards and 19 touchdowns. (Gazette photo by Rhett Manuel)

The District 5-1A offensive MVP Ashton Deaville was the focal point of Basile’s veer offense, rushing for 1130 yards and 19 touchdowns. (Gazette photo by Rhett Manuel)

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Injury, hardship defined career for Basile’s Deaville

News Staff
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
By: RHETT MANUEL Sports Editor BASILE – It maybe shouldn’t have happened this way for Basile senior running back Ashton Deaville. Deaville, who had high expectations heading into his junior year, dealt with major adversity throughout his career.
Defensive MVP Luke Fontenot did whatever was asked by the Basile staff. He finished the year with 110 tackles with eight going for a loss. (Gazette photo by Rhett Manuel)

Defensive MVP Luke Fontenot did whatever was asked by the Basile staff. He finished the year with 110 tackles with eight going for a loss. (Gazette photo by Rhett Manuel)

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Undersized Fontenot rode mentorship, multi-sport background

News Staff
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
By: RHETT MANUEL Sports Editor BASILE – Evangeline Parish defensive MVP, Basile’s Luke Fontenot, is a rare breed. He’s an adamant team player. He’s the type of kid that is willing to do whatever t takes to help his team win.
Sacred Heart’s head coach Josh Harper was selected as the parish’s coach of the year in 2022. (Gazette file photo)

Sacred Heart’s head coach Josh Harper was selected as the parish’s coach of the year in 2022. (Gazette file photo)

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Parish COY Harper recognizes team effort in award

News Staff
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
By: RHETT MANUEL Sports Editor VILLE PLATTE – To the untrained eye and to those who don’t know the man, Sacred Heart head coach and Evangeline Parish Coach of the Year Josh Harper is just another one of those winning-obsessed, high-strung football coaches. And of course, winning is fun for him.
The Ragin Cajuns of the University of Louisiana Lafayette take the field in Shreveport before clashing against the University of Houston Cougars in a 23-16 loss in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. (LSN photo by Tony Marks)

The Ragin Cajuns of the University of Louisiana Lafayette take the field in Shreveport before clashing against the University of Houston Cougars in a 23-16 loss in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. (LSN photo by Tony Marks)

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Elements, history, and competition make I-Bowl unique for UH, UL

News Staff
Thursday, December 29, 2022
By: RHETT MANUEL Sports Editor SHREVEPORT – Everything about last Friday’s 23-16 contest between the Houston Cougars and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl could be classified as unique.
While flanked by family members, Ville Platte native Kieran Davis (center), signs his national letter of intent to play college football at East Carolina University. (Gazette photo by Rhett Manuel)

While flanked by family members, Ville Platte native Kieran Davis (center), signs his national letter of intent to play college football at East Carolina University. (Gazette photo by Rhett Manuel)

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VP native follows heart in choosing ECU

News Staff
Thursday, December 29, 2022
By: RHETT MANUEL Sports Editor EUNICE – Former St. Edmund’s standout and current Blessed Trinity Catholic (Atlanta) edge rusher Kieran Davis completed the circle of his career last Wednesday during the NCAA’s Early Signing Period.
Ville Platte running back Jakahalen Slaughter (6) was named to the All-District second team in District 4-3A for his efforts on the defensive side of the ball. (Gazette file photo)

Ville Platte running back Jakahalen Slaughter (6) was named to the All-District second team in District 4-3A for his efforts on the defensive side of the ball. (Gazette file photo)

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Parish does well in FB all-district balloting

News Staff
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
By: RHETT MANUEL Sports Editor Evangeline Parish did well for itself in the all-district season. Sacred Heart, Basile, Pine Prairie and Mamou accounted for 15 first-team all-district selections this season, with a coach of the year and two district MVPs within the parish as well.
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Tough sledding

News Staff
Thursday, December 22, 2022
By: RHETT MANUEL Sport Editor MARKSVILLE — Going on the road in any sport is never an easy task. It’s especially difficult in basketball, where the familiarity of your home gym and home crowd can often be a massive advantage. Going on the road changes that.
Hayden Deshotel (2) moves the basketball down the court against Mamou in a game played during the parish tournament earlier this season. (Gazette photo by Rhett Manuel)

Hayden Deshotel (2) moves the basketball down the court against Mamou in a game played during the parish tournament earlier this season. (Gazette photo by Rhett Manuel)

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SHS gives up big second half, drops at home to Kaplan

News Staff
Thursday, December 22, 2022
By: RHETT MANUEL Sport Editor VILLE PLATTE — Say what you will about Sacred Heart’s 2022 basketball season, but they aren’t shying away from bigger competition by any means. The Trojans welcomed in Kaplan last Wednesday night and lost by a 48-37 margin.
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