It’s Super Bowl Mania: Evangeline Parish residents are excited about the big game

Posted February 7th, 2010

By: CARISSA HEBERT
Managing Editor

Around town the black and gold colors, as well as the Saints chant “Who Dat” can be heard. (The Gazette attempted to find some Colts representation, but there are not many willing to admit they’re a fan, and there are definitely no Colts colors flying in the air.)

As Super Bowl Mania nears, really Saints Mania in this area, The Gazette called a few businesses and government representatives to see what they thought about the big game.

Noah Michot, a life-long Saints fan, said the Saints were going to win 31-28. He said they were planning a pizza party at his house.

Paul Fontenot, Paul’s Meat Market, has been a fan of the Saints since he was in eighth grade. His grandfather, who is now 85, was the one “who slowly turned him into a Saints fan.” He was excited his grandfather was going to be able to enjoy the game Sunday.

Paul was predicting a Saints win, 35 to 31. He said his entire family were Saints fans, and the only Colts fan he knew was his advertising representative from The Gazette (Kathy Longino).

Since he’s a big fan, The Gazette asked him what his most prized possession was and Paul said it was the team’s division hat. He was in Atlanta for a game and managed to locate some Saints players and have them autograph the hat. He got to meet most of the players who signed his hat.

Ville Platte Mayor Bill Jeanmard said the Saints would prevail by three points while City Clerk Shelley Fruge’ said the Saints were going to win by seven points.

Even our police chiefs had some predictions. Neal Lartigue, Ville Platte, said the score was going to be Saints, 34, Colts, 14. Greg Dupuis, Mamou, said it was going to be closer; Saints, 38, and Colts, 31. He’s been a fan of the team all of his life. Todd Ortis, Pine Prairie, said the Saints would win it by seven. Allen Ivory, Basile, said the Saints would be victorious, 28, to Colts, 21.

Mamou Elementary students participated in a pep rally Friday and cheered on the Saints. Annette Roberie, an educator, predicted the Saints, 24, over the Colts, 18. They were going to be in New Orleans with her daughter, Morgan. Morgan’s husband, Scott Singer, and his family are big Saints fans and have season tickets to the games. He even collects jerseys and footballs with the players’ autographs. “Go Saints!”

Basile Mayor Berlene Sonnier predicted the Saints would win this Super Bowl with 28 points. She said the Colts would only score 14. Although two other Basile residents agreed the Saints were going to win, they had different ideas about the score. Josh Fontenot said Saints, 34, Colts, 30, and Eddie Smith said Saints, 38, Colts, 30.

Jennifer Vidrine was going to be in Miami waving her sign indicating Ville Platte was at the Super Bowl. She was rooting for her Saints.

Over at the Dupre house, it was going to be a divided house. Scott Dupre, B&S, has been a Saints fan all of his life. His son, Seth, likes the Saints, but he loves the Colts. Scott still can’t believe Seth is pulling for the Colts.

“There’s no doubt about it,” Scott said as he predicted a Saints win. He said it was going to be a high-scoring game, probably both teams hitting the 30s, but he expected the Saints to win.

“They’ll have to run the ball and keep Peyton (Manning) off the field (for the Saints to win),” he said. One thing is for sure, Scott said history is being made here.

Seth Dupre has been ribbed by his entire family from his dad to his uncle and even grandfather, according to his mom, Amy, but she said he’s stuck to his guns. Seth said he’ll be wearing his Joseph Addai jersey come game time.

Seth said everyone is jumping on the Saints bandwagon because they’re having a winning season. He said the Saints got lucky but the Colts got to the Super Bowl because of their talent.

Jody Fontenot was predicting there would be a lot of sad Saints fans after the game Sunday. He predicted the Colts would win and expected it to be a high-scoring game.

Kathy Longino predicted the Saints fans would be bringing their handkerchiefs to work Monday. She said it would be Colts by 10 - at least a touchdown and field goal, maybe even more. She said, “I think Peyton (Manning) is very accurate in getting the ball to his target.”