Monica wins 150th as SCC gets its third win of season

By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

One way or the other, those attending Friday night’s game between West St. John and host St. Charles were going to see a milestone.

Rams Coach Laury Dupont was chasing his 200th career coaching victory. Meanwhile, St. Charles Coach Frank Monica was attempting to win his 150th career game, in front of the home fans.

On this night, the Comet faithful were rewarded. St. Charles overcame an early 6-0 deficit and defeated West St. John, 21-12.

&#8220(The milestone) snuck up on us,” Monica said. &#8220It’s a credit to the kids I’ve had over the years. Of course, all glory to the Lord.”

&#8220I just try to help put the kids in position to succeed. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. But I’m happy for them.”

Said Comets quarterback Vincent Rollo, &#8220It feels great. I’m so excited to see him get that win, and to be a part of it. He’s great to play for.”

The victory was key for St. Charles (3-2) as it allowed the team to go into its district opener at Lutcher on a high note.

For West St. John (0-5), the team will enter district play by traveling to White Castle, hoping its luck will change. The Rams have been shorthanded this season largely due to injury, but challenged both Riverside and St. Charles throughout each game in the past two weeks.

&#8220These kids played real hard tonight, they showed lots of character,” Dupont said. &#8220I’m proud of them.”

St. Charles had to earn the victory despite seeing top-notch running back Jonathan Cancienne on the sideline, resting an injury. Jason Ray led the team in rushing in his absence with 68 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Courtland Taylor ran for 49 yards on 13 carries.

Rollo was 10-19 for 98 yards and two touchdowns.

&#8220We had a real good week of practice,” said Rollo. &#8220We knew West St. John was going to be tough. We stuck to our assignments.”

For West St. John, quarterback Dray Joseph was 13-30 with 205 yards and two touchdowns. Joseph had three interceptions. Kenneth Dabney led the team in rushing with 78 yards on 11 carries. Jessie Silas had four catches for 116 yards and a touchdown.

Matt Murphy, Corey Crowder and Corey Reed each intercepted passes for St. Charles.

Joseph’s 26-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to Terrance Nathan gave the Rams a 6-0 lead.

St. Charles would not answer until the second quarter. First, Rollo found Alex Marse from six yards away to put the Comets ahead, 7-6. Then, Rollo found T.J. Landry for a 15-yard score before halftime to make it 14-6.

In the fourth quarter, Ray’s three yard touchdown run seemingly put the game away at 21-6.

But Joseph and the Rams were not done – he found Jessie Silas down the sideline for a 56-yard touchdown pass, and momentarily it looked like a Rams comeback was on. But St. Charles stopped West St. John’s two point conversion attempt, keeping it a two score game.

Monica was not completely happy with the effort, saying his team still needs to learn to take care of the football. The Comets turned the ball over three times, all on fumbles.

&#8220We’ve got a young team here,” Monica said. &#8220There is still such room for improvement.”