By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LAPLACE — If only.

Two words you’ll never hear St. Charles coach Frank Monica utter, nor anyone on his staff, and likely not from anyone suited up on the Comets roster.

But from those who surround the program, those on the outside, those words aren’t so unfamiliar.

For a team, for a program that’s been so remarkably consistent — and downright dominant — at times — SCC supporters and prep followers in general have wondered what the St. Charles trophy case might look like, if only the Comets had not had its top teams engaged in a classification that included state superpowers John Curtis and Evangel. Some feel it’s not a question of if there would be a state crown … but how many.

In 2005 and 2006, the Comets reached the Superdome under Monica, only to bow out to Curtis in the 2A title game. SCC fell in the state semifinals in 2A in each of the last two seasons, once to Curtis, once to Evangel. In fact, St. Charles is 38-4 over its last 42 games — the only losses coming to Curtis and Evangel.

Few would argue that St. Charles has been anything less than elite during Monica’s tenure, as the Comets have turned out top-level teams year in and year out regardless of its number of seniors, departing stars or returning starters.

But Saturday offers a chance to stamp what has already been a remarkable run with that elusive championship. St. Charles (14-0) will face Amite (13-1) in the Class 3A championship game at 3 p.m. at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

“It’s always a good thing to know that you’ll be playing in that last game,” said St. Charles quarterback Donnie Savoie. “We expected to be there. But it’s what we’ve worked so hard all year for. And there’s no other feeling that compares to knowing you’re on your way to play in that game.”

SCC will be attempting to nail down the first state championship in school history.

Monica said that after such a dramatic victory on Friday against Parkview Baptist, his team must “put it in the archives” for now. More importantly, it must play with emotion.

“We have to play with what we call ‘the juice,’ he said. “If we don’t, what we’ve already done and worked so hard for … those long practices, in camp, in the weight room, on weekends … it will not matter.’”

The school — and the community — is buzzing.

“Even people that normally aren’t interested in talking football, they’re all talking about the big game this weekend,” said St. Charles linebacker Nick Montagut, who has scored three defensive touchdowns this season.

While there will have been no Curtis or Evangel on the docket, nobody will ever accuse this Comets team of not earning their way into the championship game — or earning a championship, if things fall in their favor Saturday.

Though not challenged any foe during the regular season — SCC won all games by 28 or more — St. Charles lost two of its most productive players just before the postseason in Marcus Hall and Lazedrick Thompson, an issue exacerbated by the fact that both are tailbacks, and that the duo accounted for a large percentage of the team’s touchdown

Compounding matters was the draw. Getting to the Dome is never easy, but St. Charles’ road included a slate of Patterson in round two and Parkview Baptist in the semifinals; Patterson spent the season ranked No. 2 in the LSWA 3A poll, just behind SCC, but was seeded just 15th thanks partially to an open date. The Comets won that game 31-6. SCC’s semifinal win involved wresting Parkview’s chance to defend its 3A state championship away, coming back from deficits of 14-0 and 21-14 to capture a 24-21 victory.

“The score might leave you with a little doubt (there), but everyone was behind one another. It was just, ‘Let’s go, let’s go.’ Nobody was willing to lose,” said Savoie.”

Those big wins may have prepared this Comets team a bit better for the bright lights, but its players aren’t taking anything for granted.

“I think it helps a little, but we know it’s about Amite now,” said Montagut. “We don’t worry about the past, because none of that matters if we don’t win Saturday.”

There’s one more state power on the docket. The Warriors have lost but a single game this season, a 17-16 decision to 5A Ponchatoula, a team that shocked a powerful Dutchtown team in the state playoffs.

Amite is also one of the very few teams that can boast comparable defensive numbers to St. Charles. The Comets allowed just 25 total points during the regular season and recorded six shutouts — seven, if you count a 55-2 victory over McCoy in which the only points allowed came on a safety allowed by SCC’s second team offense.

“Coach Wayne (Stein) prepares us each and every day,” said Montagut. “It all starts 0on the practice field.”

Amite also shut out six teams and allowed just 49 points. One of those was a 27-0 shutout of Loranger, 3A’s No. 3 seed. Last week, it allowed just 188 total yards to Marksville in the state semifinals

Amite quarterback Reginald Porter can beat teams with the run or the pass, and that versatility is mirrored by the Warriors’ offense, which operates primarily from the spread but can also go to a power game, as it did in its 29-6 win over McMain, operating largely from a three-back I-formation. James Oden and Jermaine Jolla are the primary threats when Amite hands off.

“We have to prevent the big play. That’s the key … really, it’s a key every week, but especially against a team like this,” said Monica. “We have to make them drive.”

Amite has won 11 straight. It’s other playoff wins have come over North Vermilion, 34-6, and Westlake, 22-13.

A fifth postseason win would mean a fifth state crown for the Warriors.

But rarely is anything ever as sweet as the first.

“I’ve told our players, if you want a Christmas present for life, here’s your chance,” said Monica. “But to have that, you’ve got to earn it at practice. We have to work for it this week.”