Patterson spoils Abbeville's homecoming with 34-24 victory

Patterson leaned on standout runners Dontre Nicholas and Dajon Richard Friday, and the duo responded with nearly 300-yards to secure a 34-24 District 8-3A win.
Abbeville (2-5, 0-2) pushed the Lumberjacks throughout the game as the Wildcats scored first when running back Deion Williams broke free for a 25-yard touchdown run with 8:42 remaining in the first quarter to grab a 7-0 lead.
Patterson (4-3, 2-0) answered with right away with Richard breaking a 40-yard run on the first play from scrimmage and three straight handoffs to Nicholas resulted in a 5-yard score with 7:39 remaining. Bryce Daigle’s point-after kick tied the game at 7.
Abbeville had the first of two first-half touchdowns called back on the next series, and the Wildcats settled for a 25-yard Junus Derouen field-goal to take a 10-7 lead with 16 seconds left in the first quarter.
Patterson regained the lead early in the second quarter when Nicholas found pay dirt from 5 yards out at the 10:37 mark. A personal foul penalty on Patterson forced Daigle to kick from 35-yards out, and senior missed the kick. However, the ‘Jacks’ led 13-10.
Abbeville had its second touchdown called back on the next possession, but Patterson lost the first of three fumbles to give the ball back.
“The only thing that can stop Nicholas and Richard are themselves,” Patterson Coach Ryan Steward said. “They ran well as usual, but we can’t have the fumbles.”
Abbeville capitalized on the turnover when speedster Tavian Menard darted in from 10 yards out to put back on top Abbeville 16-13 at the 4:16 mark.
After another fumble and an Abbeville punt, Patterson got the ball back with 1:02 left in the first-half. Richard hit Kai Schexnayder for 27-yards and Irvin Celestine for 36-yards before finding Ayden LeBlanc for a diving 6-yard touchdown pass. Richard was 4 of 7 passing for 80 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Patterson took a 20-16 lead into halftime.
Patterson extended its lead to 27-16 with 14 seconds left in the third quarter when Nicholas scored from 25 yards out. The junior reversed field and out ran a speedy Abbeville defense for the score. Nicholas carried 17 times for 174 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Richard finished the game with 13 times for 92 yards.
Patterson stole the next possession with an onside kick, but Abbeville intercepted Richard’s pass and raced deep into ‘Jacks’ territory as the third quarter ended.
But Patterson’s defense held, and Nicholas scored his fourth touchdown on a 20-yarder with 5:28 left for a 34-16 Patterson lead.
“I have to give it to the defensive coaches because they made some changes at halftime that really slowed them down,” Stewart said.
Patterson had 346 yards of offense, while Abbeville had 327.
Abbeville added late touchdown run from Menard. The Wildcats were led in rushing by Deion Williams with 28 carries for 146 yards and a touchdown while quarterback Chad Celestine carried 14 times 98 and two scores.
Patterson will continue District 7-1A action tonight travels to Berwick Friday.By CORWIN MURRAY

Patterson leaned on standout runners Dontre Nicholas and Dajon Richard Friday at Abbeville and the duo responded with nearly 300-yards to secure a 34-24 District 8-3A win with local rival Berwick up next.

But Abbeville (2-5, 0-2) pushed the Lumberjacks throughout the game. The Wildcats scored first when running back Deion Williams broke free for a 25-yard touchdown run at 8:42 to grab a 7-0 lead.

Patterson (4-3, 2-0) answered with right away with Richard breaking a 40-yard run on the first play from scrimmage and three straight handoffs to Nicholas resulted in a 5-yard score at 7:39. Bryce Daigle’s point-after kick tied the game at 7.

Abbeville had the first of two first-half touchdowns called back on the next series and the Wildcats settled for a 25-yard Junus Derouen field-goal to take a 10-7 lead with 16 seconds left in the first quarter.

Patterson regained the lead early in the second quarter when Nicholas found pay dirt from 5-yards out at 10:37. A personal foul on Patterson forced Daigle to kick from 35-yards out and senior missed the kick but the ‘Jacks’ led 13-10.

Abbeville had its second touchdown called back on the next possession; but Patterson loss the first of three fumbles to give the ball back.

“The only thing that can stop Nicholas and Richard are themselves,” Patterson Coach Ryan Steward said. “They ran well as usual but we can’t have the fumbles.”

AHS capitalized on the turnover when speedster Tavian Menard darted in from 10-yards out to put back on top Abbeville 16-13 at 4:16.

After another fumble and an Abbeville punt, Patterson got the ball back with 1:02 left in the first-half. Richard hit Kai Schexnayder for 27-yards and Irvin Celestine 36-yards before finding Ayden LeBlanc for a diving 6-yard touchdown pass. Richard was 4 of 7 passing for 80 yards and a TD and interception.

Patterson took a 20-16 lead into halftime.

Patterson extended the lead to 27-16 with 14 seconds left in the third quarter when Nicholas scored from 25-yards out. The junior reversed field and out ran a speedy Abbeville defense for the score. Nicholas carried 17 times for 174 yards and 4 touchdowns while Richard carried 13 times for 92 yards.

PHS stole the next possession with an onside kick but Abbeville intercepted Richards pass and raced deep into ‘Jacks’ territory as the third quarter came to an end.

But Patterson’s defense held and Nicholas scored his fourth touchdown on a 20-yarder with 5:28 left. Patterson led 34-16.

“I have to give it to the defensive coaches because they made some changes at halftime that really slowed them down,” Stewart said.

Patterson had 346 yards of total offense, while Abbeville had 327.

Abbeville added late touchdown run from Menard. The Wildcats were led in rushing by Deion Williams with 28 carries for 146 yards and a TD while quarterback Chad Celestine carried 14 times 98 and 2 scores.

Patterson travels to Berwick Friday.