By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

 

St. Charles enjoyed their come-from-behind victory over E.D. White so much last week that they did it again this week — only with the stakes upped substantially this time.

The Comets’ defense of its Class 3A state championship lives another day as No. 18 seed St. Charles overcame a 27-7 halftime deficit to win at No. 15 Westlake, 27-26.

“This was a huge win for our kids and a huge win for the program,” said St. Charles coach Frank Monica, whose playoff record over the last four postseason trips improves to 12-2. “We told them at halftime that, ‘You just have to believe.’ Last week gave us a template of sorts.”

Brandon Zimmer scored the eventual game-winning touchdown on a 1-yard touchdown with 9:13 left in the fourth quarter.

The Comets (8-2) stopped the Rams and took over with 6:34 left. St. Charles was able to closed out the game on offense, with a big Austin Weber to Chad McNeil 29-yard completion to convert on a third-and-seven sealing things for good.

“That was just a huge drive,” said Monica. “We knew we couldn’t afford to give them the ball back … (Weber) really took over the game with his running. He and Brandon Zimmer did a great job running north-and-south behind our line. And (Weber and McNeil) connect on a big, big play to put it away for us.”

Weber and McNeil were productive all night, however. Weber passed for 108 yards and two touchdowns, completing 9-of-13 passes. He also led SCC in rushing with 72 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. McNeil hauled in seven receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

Erron Lewis rushed 13 times for 59 yards. Zimmer rushed seven times for 38 yards. Dante Scarpero notched an interception.

Perhaps as importantly as anything, the St. Charles defense completely shut down the opposition in the second half for the second straight week. The Comets held Westlake to 39 second half yards and a single first down. SCC also held E.D. White to a single first down after halftime last week.

“Our defense started playing at a different level,” said Monica.

Latrell Martin got Westlake off to a quick start with touchdown runs of 19 and 12 yards. Tim Hamilton’s touchdown pass to Tyler Johnson put the Rams (6-4) ahead 19-0.

Weber and McNeil combined for their first scoring connection to put SCC on the board, a 21-yard score that made it 19-7; but Hamilton and Westlake answered right back when he connected with Jacory Washington with 14 seconds left in the first half for a 14-yard touchdown.

St. Charles received the opening kickoff of the second half and scored on its first possession, Weber finding McNeil for a 14-yard score.

“That was our one saving grace, that we were to get the second half kickoff,” said Monica. “We knew we had to do something on that first possession. We scored, and that gave us a shot.”

Then the Comets forced a turnover just two plays into the Rams’ next drive; SCC quickly took advantage, scoring on a 5-yard run by Weber to cut the lead to 26-21.

Martin shined for Westlake, rushing for 203 yards on 34 carries. SCC held him to just 31 second half yards, though, helping to key the comeback.

“We’ve talked to our seniors all year about leadership. Early on, they didn’t really take to it. But recently, they really have,” said Monica.

St. Charles will host Notre Dame next week. The Pioneers (8-1) are the second-seeded team in Class 3A, and advanced with a 38-26 win over Patterson.