Abbeville High receiver more relaxed going into 2014 football season

It looks like Celton Calais Jr. has found a place he can call home - Abbeville High School.
Calais enters this football season as a senior for the Wildcats. It will be his second year as a Wildcat. When he was a sophomore, he lived in Rayne and played for the Rayne Wolves.
Although only 5-foot-6, Calais made an impression on AHS head coach Chris Towery. The head coach pencilled him in as a starter for the Wildcats last year despite never seeing him play.
“Celton is a hard worker,” praised Towery. “He does not miss a workout. He is the kind of kid you hope becomes successful in life.”
While Calais has good hands, he also has decent speed (he runs a 4.6 40-meter dash) and has a 32-inch vertical leap.
Because of Calais’ nerves and confidence level his junior year, Calais struggled to remember plays and never felt relaxed. But with a year under his belt, Calais has worked extra hard to remember plays called by his head coach during the team’s 7-on-7 drills this summer.
Plays like “Rome K-51 Wolf” sink in with no problem when he stands in the huddle.
“I am not as nervous anymore,” said Calais. “I am more relaxed.”
That is a great thing for the Wildcats, who also, according to Calais, look more relaxed and comfortable as the season approaches.
He, along with other receivers and returning quarterback Bryce Melancon have been practicing catching and receiving techniques against other teams.
Calais has been impressed with Melancon’s throwing accuracy throughout the summer. Because his arm has improved, Calais predicts the Wildcats’ aerial game will be better in 2014.
Other AHS receivers also working along side of Calais are Allen Arclies, Josh Peters, Travion Moore, Brennan Lombes and Allen Huntley.
When Calais is not found at Abbeville High in the weight room or behind the school working on his catching drills, he is working. Calais works out at 7:30 in the morning, cleans up and then heads to his second job - working at McDonald’s in Kaplan.
“I enjoy working,” he said. “I like the money.”
The Wildcats, looking to improve on their 0-10 season, expect to have 55 players along the sideline. Many of those players have found their way into the weight room this summer. Towery has two workout sessions - 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Coach Towery has seen a difference in his players this summer during workouts. He went on record as saying the Wildcats will be a better team than a year ago. What he did not want to predict are wins and losses.
Calais said he also has noticed a big difference in the weight room this summer compared to last summer.
“We are working hard and all getting along,” said Calais. “Everyone is helping each other out. We are not fusing with each other. We seem more like a family. This team is trusting in each other more - like a family should.”
Calais, not only found a new home; he has also found a new family.

2014 Abbeville High football schedule

09/05
Time: 7 p.m
Vinton (Vinton, LA)
Location: Abbeville High School

09/11
Time 7 p.m.
@ St. Louis (Lake Charles, LA)
Location: St. Louis High School

09/19
Time: 7 p.m.
@ Rayne (Rayne, LA)
Location: Rayne High School

09/26
Time: 7 p.m.
Port Barre (Port Barre, LA)
Location: Abbeville High School

10/03
Time: 7 p.m.
@ Loreauville (Loreauville, LA)
Location: Loreauville High School

10/10
Time: 7 p.m.
Erath (Erath, LA)
Location: Abbeville High School

10/17
Time: 7 p.m.
North Vermilion (Maurice, LA)
Location: Abbeville High School

10/24
Time: 7 p.m.
@ Notre Dame (Crowley, LA)
Location: Notre Dame High School

10/31
Time: 7 p.m.
Kaplan (Kaplan, LA)
Location: Abbeville High School

11/07
7:00
@ West St. Mary (Baldwin, LA)
Location: West St. Mary High School