By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

St. Charles made quick work of Lusher on Friday night, taking a 44-0 win in the District 9-2A opener for both teams.

“We got an early turnover, and took advantage of a short field on each of our first two scores,” said St. Charles coach Frank Monica. “I feel like got the momentum and broke their will early. It was the difference.”

The Comet defense held Lusher (1-3) to 15 total yards, including minus-47 yards rushing. SCC led 37-0 at halftime, and was able to empty the bench in the second half.

Eight rushers combined to gain 208 yards for St. Charles (4—0), led by Lazedrick Thompson’s 74 yards and two scores. Jeffery Hall, Marcus Hall, Stafford Jones and Michael Brock each added a rushing score.

SCC quarterback Henri Faucheux had a short night, completing three-of-six passes for 22 yards before taking the second half off.

A week after saying he was disappointed in his team’s offensive execution against West St. John, Monica said he was pleased with the way the unit rebounded on Friday. At the same time, he says there is still work to do.

“We would have liked to work on a few more things in the passing game, but once we jumped out we kept it on the ground,” Monica said.

The Comets rolled from the game’s second play, when SCC’s Robbie Eichhorn forced a fumble and LaJaylin Smith recovered at the Lusher 7. Two Jeffery Hall runs later, he was in for a 1-yard touchdown to make it 7-0.

The Comets forced a punt and took over at the Lusher 45. Brock capped a nine play drive with another 1-yard score.

The ensuing kickoff saw the Comets forced another fumble, this time recovered by Julian Landry at the Lusher 13. SCC came away with no points after failing to convert a fourth down. But SCC came up with a safety after Lusher’s next drive.

And after a good return on the safety punt by James Krawczyk to the Lion 16, Stafford Jones ran for 14, then two yards for another Comet score.

That made it 23-0 early in the second quarter. After a stop, Marcus Hall returned a punt 58-yards for a score to make it 30-0 early in the second quarter.

In all, SCC started its first five drives in Lusher territory, and four of those from inside the Lion 16.