By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Have you ever been curious as to how a defense would go about defending a rushing duo like St. Charles’ Jonathan Cancienne and Riverside’s Jarid Caesar?

How about seeing how lethal a pairing of Lutcher’s Blaine Gautier and St. James’ Luther Ambrose would be?

Think it might give an opposing defensive coordinator headaches? Could you even imagine?

Well, stop trying – on Friday, we get to see it for real.

The Lion’s Club Bayou vs. River Region All-Star game will be held this Friday at John L. Guidry Stadium on the Nicholls State campus.

Tickets will be sold at the gate for $6 each.

The event is taking place for the second year in a row. The River region team will be coached by St. Charles’ Frank Monica, who was an assistant on the team last year.

The Bayou region will be coached by E.D. White assistant Chris Bergeron.

“This is nice timing for an event like this,” said Monica. “It’s right after the title games, when everyone is still in a football mindset.”

All players involved are entitled to a $500 scholarship, supplied by Nicholls State.

It also provides a chance for the players to showcase their ability one last time – while also competing for pride in their region.

“The college guys come out, see them practice. It adds exposure. They get to play together, and play for River Parish pride,” said Monica.

The River region team is practicing this week at St. Charles, and its hard to not be impressed by the sheer talent on the practice field – with all eight region teams represented, and each player wearing the helmets of their own team, it looks like a Pro Bowl like atmosphere.

As Monica put it, “it’s the most talent our field has ever had.” And he’s excited to not only coach these players together, but also work with the other coaches – each team is represented on the staff.

“It’s always fun to coach speed,” Monica said. “You get to meet these kids for the first time, after only coaching against them. You get to see their ability up close, but more importantly get to know them personally.

“It’s rewarding for them, and also for the coaches, we get to put a bunch of our ideas together. It’s a great experience.”