By GEORGE MAHL, Sports Editor

The St. Charles Catholic Comets are a team that is facing some challenges going into the 2004 season. The Comets, which scrimmaged Ellender last Thursday, began practicing on August 2.

In the scrimmage game, St. Charles Catholic running back Tyrell Fenroy looked like he could not be stopped. During the Comets first play from scrimmage, Fenroy ran the ball for an 80-yard touchdown.

SCC defensive back David Rollo then got the ball and picked off a pass to give the ball back to St. Charles Catholic. The Comets second score would come after a first down completion from Jesse Martin to Bryan Matus. A touchdown pass from Martin to Rollo gave SCC a two touchdown lead.

An interception by SCC DB Jared Nowell was returned for a touchdown. Fenroy then scored his second touchdown of the scrimmage. This time a 70-yard run by Fenroy opened up the lead for the Comets.

In addition, SCC scored on their first three possessions.

“I would say that we not as far along as I would have hoped,” Comets Head Football Coach Frank Monica said recently. “We’ll use the scrimmage and the jamboree as sort of a measuring stick.”

So far, Comets starting quarterback Jesse Martin, who threw for over 1,500 yards in 2003, has been very consistent, according to Monica.

“It is always good to have experience,” he added.

It is hard to tell, Monica said, how far along his defense is so far.

The fifth-year coach said it is hard to determine how advanced his defense is until they actually line-up and hit somebody.

“I don’t think we’ll know until we play somebody,” he said.

The Comets have seven new starters on defense, something that Monica is a little bit concerned about.

“It is always interesting to see how the chemistry comes together for a defense,” he said.

When asked if he has any concerns going into the season, Monica said “our schedule.”

The Comets open up the regular season at Terrebonne on September 3.

“I think just the general things concern me. Our size and the ability to block and tackle.”

The biggest probable starter on defense this year, Brody Leake and Roland Ricca, both stand 6-foot-1.

The Comets will play Destrehan August 27 in the Ed Reed River Parish Jamboree.

“There (Destrehan) always well coached. Playing a good like that will only make us better,” he said.