LAPLACE — The Comets started strong and took all the drama out of their playoff game, rolling to a 28-0 halftime lead and eventually topping St. Louis 42-10 Friday night.

With the win, SCC (9-2) advances to the Division II state playoff semifinals against University Lab.

The Comets played a familiar script to get there, using a dominant defense and strong running game to maul another opponent.

After stoning the Saints (4-8), who received the opening kickoff, the Comets took their first possession and quickly scored with running back Joseph Chiarella capping the drive on a 13-yard touchdown run less than three minutes into the first quarter.

Fellow running back Narquez Jones took the ball from there, scoring on back-to-back possessions, each time from four yards out. Jones’ second score came with 8:44 left in the second quarter, putting the Comets up 21-0 and for all intents and purposes sealing the game’s eventual outcome.

One of the contest’s more athletic plays occurred in between Jones scores, as senior defensive back Trey Joseph picked off a Saints pass and returned it approximately 40 yards to set the Comets up deep in Saints territory.

The half’s final touchdown came via a Lloyd Nash scramble to his left that ended in a nifty scoring pass to Darrin Blystad along the sideline, all taking place while many Comets backers were yelling for Nash to throw the ball away.

Second half scoring continued for the Comets with running backs Phillip Tran and Chiarella each racking up touchdowns.

West St. John – 44, East Iberville – 2

“When you can’t score, you can’t win.”

That’s how Rams coach Brandon Walters put it following his team’s domination of East Iberville Friday night, his defense looking especially strong.

West St. John (9-2) won going away, 44-2. East Iberville’s only score came via a Rams offensive fumble and recovery in the their own endzone for a safety.

The Rams host Jonesboro-Hodge High next week in the third round of the 1A playoffs.

“We know we can hang our hat on that offensive line,” Walters said. “When we run the ball behind them and play solid defense on the flip side, we are a good team.”

Although near perfect on the scoreboard, WSJH coaches lamented too many Rams penalties and dropped balls, giving players and coaches plenty to focus on next week in practice.

“We need to stay focused and clean up some of those things,” Walters said.

Touchdowns from Niko Davis, Kylan Duhe, D’andre Gaudia and Aaron Moll were impressive, but not as impactful, according to coaches, as the play of the Rams’ defensive and offensive lines.

“As the running game and the offensive line goes, everything else clicks around them,” Walters said. “We had some guys that were hurt and some guys that played out of position. Up front on defense, our front four is still getting after people. Shout out to those guys who came over from the other side — Kyree Thorne and Kelon Gardner — with substitutions when needed. We are at the point of the year where we are going to put the best 11 on the field and the most healthy guys.

“It’s the guys in the trenches that make West St. John go.”

Riverside – 62, Dunham – 42

A transformer blew during the National Anthem, forcing Riverside Academy’s playoff game to move to the Parkview Baptist campus.

At 8:40 p.m., an hour and 40 minutes after its scheduled start, Riverside kicked off against Dunham High.

By the time the game ended around 11:30 p.m., the Rebels won a shootout, 62-42.

Quarterback Jordan Loving finished 25 of 31 for 358 yards and six touchdowns. Louis Cheneau ran 13 times for 106 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 36 yards and a touchdown.

Kash Foley led the Rebels with 12 receptions for 142 yards and two touchdowns.