By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LAPLACE — For defending Class 3A state football champion St. Charles Catholic, the past few weeks represented a crucial time for retooling.

The Comets boasted a dominating, veteran team last season. But the price for experience is often paid the next year through the graduation of key seniors, and the cupboard must be restocked quickly if a program is to maintain its success.

St. Charles recently wrapped up its summer 7-on-7 work, the Comets completing a six-week season in a local weekly league that ran from early June to July 11.

Comets’ coach Frank Monica was pleased with the overall progression of his team and the results that the annual league yielded.

“We had 12 teams out each week and we got some really, really good work out of it,” said Monica. “With the talent you’d see in any given week, it provided for a real solid measuring stick for where your team is at.”

Each participating team at the league would play three 30-minute games a week.

Monica said that he and his staff were able to answer some important personnel questions through the six weeks of work.

“I think we resolved a lot of things and established a final depth chart,” said Monica. “Our offense is still dealing with issues. We lack experience there. We’re hoping our defense can be close to as effective as last year, because our offense won’t be close to that.”

While lacking significant game-experience, the team’s offensive weapons don’t lack for potential. Monica noted that running back Erron Lewis has made plays throughout the summer. Fullback Brandon Zimmer and receiver Chad McNeil have also put in good work.

At quarterback, Austin Weber and Jemal Baptiste are vying to succeed departed senior Donnie Savoie.

Monica said that ideally, he’d like to see both on the field at the same time, with Weber continuing in the running back role the then-freshman excelled in during the postseason in 2011.  

But Monica said that if the season started today, Weber would likely get the call at quarterback.

“(Weber) has a little more experience in terms of what we’ve done, playing in JV games, ” said Monica. “Jemal has the ability to do it and a lot of the things you certainly look for, but he needs more reps.”

Baptiste missed much of spring practice with an injury, but returned for the start of 7-on-7.

Defensively, Monica was very pleased with the development of his secondary, as Sam McMahon and Jordan Favorite have both seized their opportunity to play at the cornerback position.

“I’m very pleased with their performance,” said Monica. “I feel really good about that. If our secondary solidifies itself, it will be a big boost for our front seven.”

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