LAPLACE – A season of uncertainties will unfold later this month as the St. Charles Catholic High School Comets begin a new football season with a new, young lineup.

Head Coach Frank Monica joked about feeding of the players baby food during halftime, but admitted the young team will give the Comets a chance to be even more athletic than last year’s squad.

“We’re not going to change our philosophy,” said Monica. “There’s got to be some consistency in the program so the kids know what to expect. We put a standard out there they have to reach.”

Only two Comets starters will return on the offensive side of the ball and only three on defense, as a result of 27 seniors who graduated in May. The coach explained the seniors lost were not simply starters this past season, but players who had started for the team over the past three years.

Among the Comets lost, were the team’s two All-State kickers, Jason Waguespack and Kevin Blank.

Twenty players will step up as seniors this season, but overall, few players on the team have actual game experience.

“Those players took their lumps early and matured. This is a new squad and they’ve got to show their own personality,” said Monica. “What we did last year doesn’t count for anything, we’ve got to create a new attitude. Of the 22 starters, 18 will be in new positions. But we’re a platoon team,” continued Monica, and as he explained how he liberally rotates players on the field.

Still, with the shifting of the young players, the Comets will have to contend with a new offensive line.

“That’s my biggest concern,” admitted Monica. “There’s maybe one guy on the line with experience. But it will give us a chance to be more athletic than last year on the offensive line, because the kids are smaller and more athletic.”

Monica said he will be looking to returning players Travis Trapagnier and Jamall Singleton on offense, and Daniel LeBlanc, Chris Cancienne and Brandon Levet on defense to lead. Jeremy Catoire, Matt Heltz and Jesse Martin will compete for the quarterback spot, which should push all three to give their all.

“They’re all good athletes, but I don’t know who will emerge as the starters. We have a good nucleus of young kids. We look good in the locker room, and they listen well in meetings,” explained Monica.

He said he hopes the Comets will get some early wins.

Last season’s first game against St. Paul’s of Covington was a boost to the Comets morale. The team faces St. Paul’s again for the first regular game this season and hope to have the same result.

“We don’t have much size, so it will be important to take the pre-district wins to build confidence because the district is so tough. Pre-district is not a slam dunk either,” Monica said. “If we are going to win, we have to have a good defense.

“Offensively we are going to try to throw as much as we can. There are so many unknown entities, we could be surprised. I just hope it’s positive surprises.”