MARRERO — It was clear early on the St. Charles Catholic Comets were the better team in their 36-0 win over the Thomas Jefferson Jaguars.

The Comets scored on five straight drives and barely let the Jaguars pick up a first down on their way to a 29-0 lead before they finally turned the ball over on downs on a failed fourth-down-and-two with just over seven minutes left in the third quarter.

Leading the way for the Comets offense was tailback Justin Loupe.

Loupe started off the game with a 40-yard run on the first play and picked up three more carries on the opening drive before running in an 8-yard touchdown.

In the second quarter Loupe struck again when he found a corner and sped past Jaguars defenders for a 69-yard rushing score.

“I hadn’t had a rushing touchdown this year, so it felt pretty good to get one,” Loupe said.

Loupe finished the night with 9 rushes for 145 yard and 2 touchdowns but said he still sees room for improvement.

“Hopefully I can continue going forward and get better,” Loupe said.

St. Charles Catholic head coach Frank Monica also praised Loupe’s performance.

“I was pleased (Loupe) split that one run, because that is something we talked about trying to get him in the secondary and make a big play,” Monica said. “I think he did that because he’s got good speed and it is up to us to get him past the line of scrimmage. I was pleased. I think he had a good night.”

The Comets controlled the run game all night long with their other backs as well. Tailback Tahj Smith also picked up 2 touchdowns off 8 rushes for 63 yards. Tailback Tyler Sandefer also added a rushing touchdown.

The Comets also played well on special teams with a punt block in the first quarter by Trey Armstrong, and Nick Scioneaux boomed his only punt of the night, pinning the Jaguars on their own two-yard-line.

Despite the shutout, Monica said he was not pleased with the way his defensive unit performed, starting with a muffed punt near the end of the first quarter and a nine-minute drive by the Jaguars in the second quarter.

“I thought we played lazy and complacent and didn’t play with that swagger that you need to play with,” Monica said. “We are going to face some 4A and 5A opponents in the next three weeks. We are going to have to lift up our intensity and our hustle, and I am very disappointed with that part of it.”

Monica was so disappointed with his defense’s performance that he pulled the entire first team unit near the end of the Jaguars’ longest drive of the night before putting them back in to force a turnover on downs.

“It is just we got to get better,” Monica said. “You can’t allow a nine-minute drive. It must have been 14 or 15 plays, but it took the whole second quarter. I am not happy with that. A good defense has got to learn how to get off the field. I don’t think we played with the sense of urgency we should have had tonight.”

St. Charles Catholic will next take against Vandebilt Catholic at 7 p.m. Friday for their home opener.