By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LAPLACE — St. Charles Catholic coach Frank Monica has been saying since the beginning of District 7-3A play that it’s a league with no dead spots, boasting talented squads from top to bottom.

But a strong district slate, so far, has posed no difficulty for St. Charles, which has won its first two district clashes by a combined margin of 97-8.

As SCC prepares to host Brusly (5-2, 2-0), its first two district wins mirrored one another in that SCC led by 13 at halftime in each, then blew things open in the third quarter. He said he wants to see four quarters from his team.

“We need to play with more emotion than we have recently,” said Monica. “(Brusly) is a team that is coming in here with the feeling that this is for a chance at a district title. They realize the stakes and we’re going to see an intense team. I hope our players realize what’s at stake, too.”

Brusly’s Wing-T option offense is led by quarterback Jay Christophe. Since its opening week win over Plaquemines by a 16-8 score, Brusly hasn’t scored less than 20 points in any game. It’s two district wins have come over E.D. White, 20-14, and St. James, 21-14.

The Comets got a big win over Port Allen last week, but it came at a price. Marcus Hall, the team’s All-State running back and a major all-purpose threat, had surgery on his wrist this week after being sidelined in the first quarter. Hall left after scoring a touchdown and rushing for 50 yards.

“You don’t replace a guy like that, you succeed him,” said Monica. “It’ll take four guys to step in for the things he did, as a returner, a rusher, a receiver … he also played defensive back for us,” said Monica.

Monica said it was unclear when Hall might be able to return, but that for now, the Comets must prepare to be without him for the foreseeable future.

The Comets are more equipped than most to cover the rushing loss, at least, thanks to Tulane commitment Lazedrick Thompson. Thompson got extra work in Hall’s absence and made good on it, running 23 times for 209 yards and four touchdowns.

Last week, the Pelicans controlled the ball for much of the first half but trailed 13-0 largely due to a pair of stops by the SCC defense inside its own 5. Thompson rushed for his second 15-yard touchdown of the night early in the third. He’d add a 2-yarder later in the quarter to make it 27-0. Donnie Savoie connected with Sammy Miller for a 39-yard score to make it 34-0. Thompson would add a 4-yarder, and Jeffrey Hall took back one of his two interceptions for a 34-yard touchdown.

Mackey Cortez also hauled in an interception, as SCC finished with three on the night.

“In the second half, we woke up,” he said. “We decided to play a little harder. Port Allen didn’t make it easy, but we forced some turnovers and gave ourselves some breathing room,” said Monica.