By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LAPLACE — It’s a chance to make history.

As far as motivation goes, St. Charles coach Frank Monica and his staff shouldn’t have to reach far this week as the Comets prepare to host E.D. White on Friday night.

Boasting an undefeated record and entering as the top-ranked team in Class 3A, St. Charles will have an opportunity to become the first team in school history to ever finish a regular season undefeated, with a record of 10-0.

Monica said that he hasn’t stressed the aspect of finishing undefeated to his team, only the importance of staying on point each play in practice.

That said, he was quick to give credit to his players and his coaching staff for their efforts in putting the program in position to record a historic season.

“They deserve all the credit, they really do,” he said.

Both the offense and defense have put together a monument of staggering statistical accomplishments, with offensive coordinator Ty Monica leading the offensive side and defensive coordinator Wayne Stein heading the defensive coaching. St. Charles’ offense fuels an average of 46.3 points per game, a number even more impressive when considering that the Comets more often than not have been in position to rest its starters for the second half in most games.

Defensively, the team has been airtight. SCC has recorded five shutouts. A sixth was narrowly missed after a safety was recorded against the team in its game with Miller McCoy — ironically, the safety occurred with an assist by a strong defensive play: a play after a Jeffrey Hall interception and a ruling that he was down at the SCC 1.

Behind a disciplined 3-4 defensive scheme, the Comets have allowed 25 total points all season, just eight in district play (and in the last five weeks), and have done it with strong play by both the first and second teams.

“Those coaches have done a good job getting everyone ready to play,” said Monica. “We’ve got about 35 guys who could consider themselves starters, in that we rotate. And we’ve been down players with bumps, bruises … sometimes, a player doesn’t know he’ll be called upon until he is. And they’ve been ready.”

Standing in the way of the Comets (9-0, 4-0) capping a historic regular season run is a big, physical E.D. White team that is 3-1 in district play, but sits at 22 in the 3A power rankings and, like four other District 7-3A rivals, will be headed to the playoffs.

The Cardinals (4-5, 1-3) are four points away from entering the game looking to not only score an upset, but to win a district championship; their 1-3 record includes two losses by a single point, to Donaldsonville, 28-27, and to Port Allen, 29-28. E.D. White, in fact, has lived on the edge all season long. Three of its wins have come by three points or less. It’s loss to Brusly came by six, 20-14.

The Cardinals want to run out of the veer. Running backs Dannon Steib and Colby Quatrevingt will see plenty of work. Quarterback Benton Arceneaux and wide receiver Colby Masse power the passing game.

Defensively, linebacker Matt Glover leads the charge. He is a player Monica said that his team must be aware of.

“He’s their bellcow on defense,” he said.

Well-coached and disciplined as the Cardinals are, Monica said his team cannot rely on scheme to win.

“We’re not going to out-scheme them. They’re going to be in position. As I told our guys, you’re just going to have to play better than they do.”

The Comets most recent victory came Friday night, as it went on the road to defeat St. James (0-9, 0-4), 55-0, in the process clinching a share of the District 7-3A title.

It was St. Charles’ most decisive win of the season. The 55 points scored all came in the first half, including three scores by the defense and special teams.

Lazedrick Thompson has had to carry feature back responsibilities in the wake of Marcus Hall’s wrist injury, and he’s been up to the task. He rushed for 233 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries Friday, despite sitting out the entire second half.

Austin Weber rushed eight times for 61 yards and a touchdown for SCC.

SCC scored its first points on special teams. After forcing a 3-and-out, it blocked a punt and Chad McNeil recovered in the endzone for a 7-0 lead just 1:01 into the game.

Thompson scored a pair of touchdowns to push the lead to 21-0 after a quarter; the second quarter saw Weber, Brandon Zimmer and LaJaylin Smith all score rushing touchdowns.Dontre Scarpero then intercepted a pass and returned it for a 41-yard touchdown with 52 seconds left.