By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – St. Charles Catholic’s David Bleakley beamed with pride Wednesday morning.

“Man, it’s just amazing,” he said, “I know it’s kind of cliché, but it feels like seeing all your dreams come true.”

The hopes of Bleakley and three of his St. Charles classmates to compete at the collegiate level were officially reached Wednesday, as he, Brandon Zimmer, Sam McMahon and Gage Alleman each signed letters of intent at a special ceremony held in the Comets’ fieldhouse.

Bleakley and McMahon respectively a defensive tackle and defensive back on the Comet football team, signed with Mississippi College. Zimmer, the Comets fullback, is moving on to Louisiana College. And swimmer Gage Alleman signed with Cleveland State.

“It’s a testament to the type of kids we have here,” said St. Charles football coach and athletic director Frank Monica. “The schools they’ve chosen are great academic schools. We’re excited that they not only get to move on to further pursue their athletic careers, but they’re headed to fine academic institutions.”

All four athletes helped to lead their teams to state championships. As juniors, McMahon, Zimmer and Bleakley helped lift SCC to the school’s first ever state football championship in 2011. Meanwhile, Alleman helped push the Comet swim team to two state championship victories, as a senior and a sophomore.

At 6-0 and 225 pounds, Bleakley doesn’t have prototypical size for a defensive tackle. But St. Charles coach Frank Monica said Bleakley’s been able to make up for it through his determination and skill.

“He lacks size, but David’s always been a good technician,” said Monica. “He’s been one of our most consistent guys throughout his career here and one of the pillars of our defense.”

Bleakley said his mind was all but made up upon his visit.

“I fell in love with the school,” he said. “It has an amazing campus and the football facilities are top notch. I talked to the coaches and even a few of the players there. It felt like a perfect fit.”

The son of New Orleans Saints special teams’ coach Greg McMahon, the 5-8, 165 pound Sam McMahon was one of the Comets true playmakers in the secondary.

Monica said he was a complete player.

“He’s always had a nose for the ball and for the big play,” said Monica. “He’s also a very good tackler.”

McMahon said he felt “blessed” to have the opportunity to move on to the next level and that he plans on putting in the effort needed to succeed.

He said his collegiate position hasn’t been set yet – and that he’s not too picky about where he’ll line up.

“Anywhere,” he said with a smile. “As long as I get on the field.”

He also noted how much he liked the school’s defensive scheme, which was a factor in his decision.

“They blitz a lot,” said McMahon. “And I love that.”

At 6-3, 190 pounds, Zimmer has the measurables that excite coaches on the next level, said Monica.

“He has tremendous upside,” said Monica. “He’s a 6-3 kid who runs well. The sky’s the limit for him. He has a chance to be a big time player.”

Zimmer was the Comets’ starting fullback last season, though that undersells the many different roles Monica employed him in – Zimmer was a strong lead blocker and rusher, but also a dangerous downfield receiver. He said LA College coaches are looking at him as a tight end or defensive end.

“He was very versatile,” said Monica. “We used him as a blocking back and as a wide receiver down the middle of the field.”

Zimmer said he saw a lot of similarities between how things are done at Louisiana College and at St. Charles Catholic.

“I really liked their coaches. They approach things like Coach Monica does,” said Zimmer. “They’re hard on you and push you to your limit. They’ll get you to perform to your max potential.”

Alleman leaves St. Charles as one of its most accomplished athletes. He finished his swimming career in style at the Division III state swimming championship meet: not only did he break the standing record in the Division III 200 individual medley, but he swam the final leg of the 400 yard freestyle relay, pulling ahead of E.D. White’s final swimmer in dramatic fashion to net the Comets a narrow victory over the Cardinals – that was the day’s final event, deciding the state crown.

“I knew I couldn’t let my team down,” Alleman said.

Despite offers from a number of schools, including Alabama and Wright State, he said Cleveland State was the best fit.

“Their swimming facility really blew me away,” said Alleman. “It’s it’s a chance to set some new goals and become the best I can be.”

Said Monica, “He swims faster than a lot of us can run. He was the leader of our swimming team. Every year, he was so consistent and so good. And he led a state champion, which says a lot.”

Naturally, all four recounted their state championships as a memory of their high school days that would last forever.

Bleakley said there were many more.

“There’s nothing like playing here. To this point, it’s been the best experience of my life,” he said. “I couldn’t think of a better high school to go to.”