By GEORGE MAHL

St. Charles Catholic High School versus Lawless High School

LAPLACE – After an impressive 49-0 thumping of Grace King High School Friday night, St. Charles Catholic High School faces Lawless High School this week.

“We really do not know much about them right now. I know that they are a physical football team,” said SCC head coach Frank Monica.

Lawless’ game in Pensacola, Fla., was canceled Friday due the proximity of Tropical Storm Hanna.

“The fact that they did not play last week does concern me a little because we might not know what to expect,” said Monica.

In the victory over Grace King, the Comets used about 75 percent of their players, thus giving almost everyone an opportunity to contribute to the victory.

“We played well and did not allow many bad things to happen to us,” explained Monica.

The head coach thinks the fortunes of his team will likely hinge on the defense and its intensity.

“Our defensive scheme is going to have to be aggressive if we are going to win. We have got to challenge the receivers and put pressure on their quarterback,” Monica said.

John McDonogh High School versus Hahnville High School

HAHNVILLE – Hahnville High School can expect McDonogh High School to be similar to West Jefferson High School, the opponent the Tigers defeated Friday by a score of 20-6.

“They (McDonogh) have got big guys up front who are very athletic,” said HHS head coach Lou Valdin.

One of the things that concerns Valdin is his team not being able to put McDonogh away when they have a chance. He said they can be dangerous if the Trojans are hanging in there come the fourth quarter.

“I really hope that we can make some sustained drives so that we can control the tempo,” said Valdin.

One of the things the former East St. John High School coach is pleased with so far this season is the play of quarterback Durrell Marshall.

“I think sometimes he has too much confidence at the line of scrimmage. He is a tremendous competitor,” Valdin said.

The Tigers are currently enjoying a homefield advantage. Hahnville does not take to the road until Oct. 4 when it travels to play H.L. Bourgeois High School.

“I think it’s always nice that we have this many home games. But you need to get used to winning on the road because all the playoff games won’t be at home,” Valdin said.

St. James High School versus Riverside Academy

RESERVE – An interesting and likely exciting game between St. James High School and Riverside Academy will be contested Friday night in Reserve. The Rebels crushed the White Castle Bulldogs 43-0 last week to even their record at 1-1.

“We are playing an excellent football team Friday,” said RA head coach Mickey Roussel. “Rick Gaille (St. James head coach) always has his team prepared.”

After playing valiantly, but coming up short, 27-20, against East St. John High School, Gaille believes there will not be a let down for his Wildcats.

“We will come out and play with a high level of energy on Friday night,” Gaille said.

One of the match-ups to look for is the St. James offensive line versus the Riverside defensive line. St. James was able to hold their own on the line of scrimmage and open some holes for their running backs against the ESJ Wildcats.

“They (St. James) like to run the ball a lot with their wing-T offense. Hopefully our defense will continue playing well,” Roussel said.

The Rebels have not given up a touchdown in the last six quarters and the defensive squad is led by senior Darryl Fortenberry.

“I think the key to us being successful is that we have to be consistent on offense. We know we have to be fundamentally sound,” Gaille said.

West Jefferson High School versus Destrehan High School

DESTREHAN – Destrehan High School will face a West Jefferson High School team Friday night described by Fighting Wildcats head coach Stephen Robicheaux simply as “big.”

According to Robicheaux, the match-up will be a stern test for his squad defensively because West Jefferson’s defense is extremely physical.

“By far this is the biggest team I think we have faced in a while,” said Robicheaux.

Offensively, the Fighting Wildcats will face several offensive weapons.

“(WJHS quarterback) Derek Singleton can really do a lot of things to throw you off guard. (Running back) Chad Harris has bigplay capability. They also have tremendous speed in the backfield,” Robicheaux said.

A key factor in the Destrehan offense will be the play of starting quarterback Demarko Hutchinson.

“He is a big plus for us right now. We need him to step up again,” said Robicheaux.

East St. John High School versus Capitol High School

BATON ROUGE – East St. John High School has a lot be excited about in the early portion of the season.

Last year, the Wildcats started a dismal 0-4.

So far this year the Wildcats are undefeated.

“This is a whole new experience for our guys,” said ESJ head coach Larry Dauterive. “I’m just as excited as the players are with regards to what we have accomplished.”

In order to get a third consecutive victory, the Wildcats will have to avoid giving up big plays to the Baton Rouge school.

Dauterive said he needs to shore up the defense in order to be successful.

“We have some problems with our defensive assignments that will have to improve,” the coach said.

ESJ fans can expect a Capitol team that likes to throw the ball and scores a lot of points.

“Capitol has got a good all-around game. They have got a wealth of talent on both sides of the football,” said Dauterive.

All in all, the first-year ESJ coach said he is satisfied where his team is right now.

“To be 3-0 going into our first district game would be phenomenal,” Dauterive said.

Lutcher High School versus East Ascension High School

GONZALES – The Lutcher High School Bulldogs are probably still catching their breath following last Friday’s game down at “The Pit” at St. Amant High School.

The Bulldogs won 33-29 in a gritty contest marked by emotionally charged comebacks and physical play on both sides of the ball.

“A classic game between two well-coached teams,” was how LHS head coach Tim Detillier described it.

“It is just a shame that someone had to lose,” he said.

After playing three consecutive 5A schools (Destrehan, East St. John, and St. Amant) the 3A Bulldogs are a little banged up.

“We may have a few bruises here and there but we are getting better each week,” said Detillier.

The Lutcher defense, with no returning starters from last year’s squad, has performed admirably in the first two contests.

“Considering we don’t have any returning starters, I am pleased with the defense. They have handled things well,” Detillier said.

Detillier, who has been head coach since 1991, said he believes his players need to stay within themselves and play with enthusiasm in order to complete a key road win.

West St. John High School versus Patterson High School

PATTERSON – Speed kills.

That is what some football coaches will tell you after a loss.

West St. John High School head coach Laury Dupont is aware of the speed he will face Friday night against Patterson High School.

“Patterson likes to spread the offense around their wide receivers using the shotgun formation,” Dupont said.

With the way the Rams defense has been playing lately, it might be enough to stop the Patterson attack.

“I think we have played well defensively in both of our games,” Dupont said. “I think we need to control the line of scrimmage and keep making first downs.”

One of the areas Dupont is most pleased with is the team’s turnover ratio. The Rams went from seven turnovers against St. James to none against South Terrebonne.

“If we keep that up we’ll be all right,” Dupont concluded.