By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LAPLACE — It was one of those odd scheduling flukes a season ago at this time that St. Charles host Patterson in just the second round of the Class 3A postseason. The teams were ranked one and two respectively all season in the LSWA poll.

Yet one year later, it’s happened again.

This time the Comets (8-2) will host Notre Dame (9-1) in a second round game and it stands as one of the state’s most attractive matchups; Notre Dame is ranked third and the Comets fourth in the LSWA poll.

“It’s a marquee game, no doubt,” said St. Charles coach Frank Monica. “Naturally, we’re very concerned. Our team has had to battled back in each of the last two weeks and shown tremendous resolve … but this week, we must play our best game of the year.”

The 18th seeded Comets rallied to defeat Westlake last week, 27-26. Notre Dame, Class 3A’s No. 2 seed, downed Patterson, 38-26.

The game pits the defending champion Comets against another recent 3A state titlist; Notre Dame captured the crown in 2009.

It also boasts a matchup between two of Louisiana’s most accomplished coaches, combining for nearly 500 career victories.  Monica won his 200th career game last season en route to his team’s undefeated finish; he boasts a career record of 211-63. Notre Dame’s Lewis Cook, meanwhile, boasts a record of 284-75 and has guided the Pioneers to two state titles.

Monica has built a program at St. Charles lauded for its consistency. But Notre Dame, he said, takes a backseat to nobody in terms of ability to contend year in and year out.

“Their program is second to none. Notre Dame has been there,” said Monica. “Before we won last season, it seemed like it was always Notre Dame and Parkview there at the end.”

Like St. Charles, Notre Dame is no stranger to an early marquee playoff matchup — the Pioneers fell to eventual state semifinalist Parkview Baptist in round two a year ago.

This year’s team has won eight straight games and boasts victories over four teams with eight wins or more. Its lone loss came in its second game, 14-10 to a 10-1 Teurlings Catholic team. Notre Dame has been largely unchallenged in its win streak; its closest margin of victory was 12 in last week’s first round victory over Patterson.

That win showcased what the Pioneers like to do — they run the ball and do it well. Notre Dame rushed for 401 yards last week, led by Luke Broussard’s 205 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. He was one of three big producers. Austin Thibodaux rushed for 79 yards and a score on 12 attempts while John Michael Besse rushed for 94 yards and a score on three carries.

“They do it to everyone,” said Monica.

Notre Dame did not pass for yardage last week, but Monica cautioned that drawing the conclusion that the Pioneers are a one-dimensional team would be a fatal mistake.

“Offensively, they’re not fancy, but they’re never behind the chains,” he said. “They’re always within reach of the first down and they execute very well. Their play action game is deadly because they run it so well. When they catch your safety in the box, they’ll go over the top and manufacture the big play … and they’ve got two receivers who can really go and get it.”

While both teams have boasted healthy offensive production all season, this game could be more reminiscent of St. Charles’ 9-8 victory over Amite last season — both defenses are extremely stout. Notre Dame, despite a difficult schedule, has allowed more than 16 points just twice this season.

“I look at their team and wonder where is the weakness? If there is one, maybe it’s the maintenance man, because it’s not easy to find on the field,” said Monica. “Anyone would kill to have those three linebackers. It’s hard to block one great linebacker, and they’ve got three.”

St. Charles’ stop unit, conversely, struggled in the two weeks just following Hurricane Issac, allowing 62 combined points in those games. Since then, only Westlake has scored north of 19 points.

It’s likely, however, that for St. Charles to advance, it must make some headway in the passing game. Patterson gained 454 yards on 54 pass attempts last week.

SCC quarterback Austin Weber has grown into his position as the year has gone on, guiding the Comets to consecutive second half comeback victories in each of the last two weeks. Last week, he and receiver Chad McNeil combined for a pair of touchdowns and a game-clinching third-and-seven conversion late as the Comets were grinding down the clock.

Monica said that his team will enter as the underdog on Friday. But if there is a silver lining in the tough early draw, it’s that a semifinal or championship-level matchup will be played at St. Charles, and not on the road.

“It’s the one good thing about it. It’s an advantage, but there are no guarantees,” he said. “We escaped last week, and this week we get this juggernaut.

“But when we built this program, it was upon playing great competition. We don’t dodge anyone.”