By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – As far as rematches go, it’s one St. Charles coach Frank Monica said he’d have rather seen put off a little bit.

But that hope was not to be. When St. Charles (10-1) and Farmerville (9-2) square off in LaPlace in Friday’s Class 2A regional round playoff game, fans will be treated to a matchup that Monica feels is semifinal worthy.

“When we were looking at seedings and had a feeling we’d be at 3, we didn’t really want to see Farmerville fall where they fell,” said Monica. “They’re very physical and hardnosed, very capable in the secondary … they’re a legit contender. This game comes a little earlier than we wanted, but you have to play them eventually.”

The matchup is a familiar one. Last season St. Charles toppled the Farmers in the quarterfinals, 21-12, to advance to the state semifinals.

Farmerville was the first team in the ’09 postseason to truly push the Comets, trailing just 14-12 at halftime. St. Charles went on a 12-play drive in the fourth quarter, Lazedrick Thompson chewed up 50 yards on the ground and scored on a 1-yard run to put things out of reach.

Monica expects a veteran Farmerville squad to remember that outcome.

“They’re the same type of team, just more experienced. They’re supposed to be even better,” said Monica. “A lot of their guys remember playing in that game. Meanwhile, we start a lot of players who didn’t play in it. I hope our players aren’t underestimating the intensity level that they’ll be seeing. We’re going to see their A-game.”

Farmerville can put points on the board, to say the least. The Farmers put 83 up in a victory over Springhill. They’ve scored 30 or more in nine games, 40 or more in seven. Its two losses have come to Calvary Baptist (42-30) and Ferriday (32-22), both top 10 seeded teams in Class 2A.

Farmerville blanked Northlake Christian 23-0 in the bi-district round, rolling to a physical victory on the back of 260 rushing yards. The Farmers rushed 44 times to only six passes in the game. D’Mardrei Richardson led Farmerville with 112 rushing yards on 19 carries.

Monica said that he sees a team that can run and pass with proficiency in Farmerville and that his own team must follow suit.

“I don’t know that we can just run, and I know that we can’t just come out and pass,” said Monica. “We’ll have to pick our spots, try to be smart, and control the ball with the short passing game.”

He also said that his defense must be ready to bear down and play an extremely physical, hard-hitting game.

“They’re going to come out and try to pound our defense, and we can’t let it happen,” said Monica. “If they do, then sooner or later they’re going to break one. It happened last year.”

Marcus Hall scored four times in St. Charles’ 51-6 win over Jeanerette in the first round.

Thompson scored twice and Brandon Zimmer also scored in the rout.

But as far as Farmerville goes, Monica has no illusions that the Farmers will be giving anything away.

“This is a team that’s lost three games in two years,” said Monica. “It tells you that they know how to win.”

That stat also describes Monica’s own team, which has lost just three games in that span – all to John Curtis. In a game where both teams know how to win, something has to give.