By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

A good program survives graduation.

That’s a motto St. Charles coach Frank Monica abides by, and a standard he and his coaching staff have held the Comets to.

St. Charles has entered each of the past four seasons led by a different starting quarterback and each of the past three with a new starter at tailback. But despite the revolving door in the backfield the team has finished each season with a strong record, including finishes as state runner up and state semifinalist.

2010, however, offers a new kind of challenge. St. Charles brings back only six starters from a season ago, marking this as one of the more inexperienced teams under the Monica regime.

“It’s a complete overhaul,” said Monica.

The key to the team’s consistency despite change, he said, is its attention to detail.

“Little things make big differences,” he said. “It’s up to our staff to put people in position to succeed, to motivate the kids to play hard. You have to teach the finer details … when things start going your way in a game, it’s not by accident.”

Among the team’s 16 new starters is yet another first-year starting quarterback. Donnie Savoie takes over for Henri Faucheux, and Monica has offered high praise toward his progression.

“He’s really doing a good job. He’s like a human sponge,” said Monica. “He just soaks it all up. He’s an easy, easy guy to coach.”

Monica said that 5-foot-9-inch Savoie isn’t among the biggest or the most physically gifted passers he’s coached, but that he sees a lot of the same qualities of successful starters he’s had in the past.

“I’ve had guys like him before that went on to have fine careers,” said Monica. “He doesn’t have the strongest arm, but he knows our offense inside and out. Whatever he lacks physically, he makes up for mentally.

“The players in this system have to always know what they’re doing. If they don’t, they won’t see the field for me.”

One starter who is returning — in multiple ways — is running back Marcus Hall. Hall was lost in the middle of last season with an ankle injury, but made a big impact before that in the backfield and especially on special teams. Hall was a dynamic punt and kick returner who swung a number of early season games with big runbacks.

Monica says he looks to be back to form.

“He’ll be fine. So far he looks really quick,” he said.

“He missed some games for us that I know he wishes he could have been a part of. He’s kind of anxious. We’re glad to get him back, because he’s a real hard guy to replace as a back, a returner and a receiver.”

He is joined by bruising Lazedrick Thompson in the backfield, while ’09 standout Jeffrey Hall moves from tailback to wide receiver.

Talented defensive end LaJaylin Smith returns as that unit’s most experienced player and will lead the way on that side of the ball.

Smith will be counted on to have a big year for a unit that will need to grow up in a hurry with early season games against Woodlawn, Vandebilt Catholic and West St. John to begin the season.

“Everyone likes to score, but our philosophy is that you’ve gotta stop people if you’re going to win. We put some extra emphasis on defense,” said Monica.