By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Defense was the order of the day at St. Charles Catholic’s spring game Thursday night.

The intrasquad scrimmage was largely dominated by the first team defense, which allowed no points and scored the only touchdown of the day between the first teams on Eric Lewis’ 33-yard touchdown return.

“I liked the way we ran to the ball on defense,” said St. Charles coach Frank Monica. “Right now, I see some good things. I think we’ve solidified a couple positions.

“I think we flew up there and made a number of defensive plays. That was good. Offensively, we’re light years from where we need to be. 

Wide receiver Dane Authement and running back Tajh Smith also scored touchdowns Thursday for the second team.

Early in the scrimmage, Lewis picked off an errant Jemel Baptiste throw and took it the distance.

“I was out there waiting for the ball. My teammates got out in front of me and gave me the chance to score.

“It felt real good being out there today. I felt like I was wanted and needed out there. It was like I felt back in Little League … We got to go against each other today, but I really can’t wait to get out there with these guys and get after some other people.”

Monica said he was more displeased with the offense’s reaction after the interception – there wasn’t enough of an effort to stop the score, he noted. But he praised the effort of the secondary in the game, a unit breaking in a number of new starters, Lewis among them.

“The secondary is where we’ve been a little light (this spring), but they did a nice job. Everyone was in the right spots in coverage,” said Monica. “(Safety) Conner Western’s our headhunter, he was flying up and making plays. I was very impressed with that aspect of our defense.”

Authement, who is vying for playing time at receiver after the departures of starters Chad McNeil and Garrett Lubin, made three impressive catches in the scrimmage. That included including his 15-yard score, hauled in from Kevin Flynn.

“I got inside the cornerback and found myself open. Kevin made a  good throw to get it to me,” said Authement. “There’s a lot of competition right now, with all of us trying to get a spot.”

Smith scored the day’s third touchdown on a 25-yard run.

St. Charles’ first team offense had its best chance to tie the defense after driving into the redzone late on a Baptiste 10-yard pass to Corey Haney. Baptiste scrambled to the 9-yard line on first down, but the Comet defense stiffened from there, ending the threat when linebacker Cody Duhe stopped Baptiste behind the line on a rollout.

Duhe and his fellow linebackers each had their turns to shine Thursday. Monica said that the linebacking corps could be a real strength this season, noting Connor Smith and Sage Mulkey have each been strong through the spring.

“We haven’t had that kind of tandem at linebacker, two linebackers that fly to the ball like these two can,” he said.

Offensively, Monica said the team must still find the right mix of lineman. But he did credit Tyson Arceneaux for his play up front.

“I liked what I saw from him. He’s tenacious,” said Monica.