By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

VILLE PLATTE — Since suffering its first loss of the season two weeks ago, St. Charles Catholic has taken out its frustrations on its ensuing two foes.

The Comets handily defeated host Ville Platte Friday night, 49-0, in the final predistrict game of the season for St. Charles.

SCC (4-1) has outscored its last two opponents by a combined margin of 98-6. The Comets leaned on the run, primarily doing the damage via quarterback Austin Weber and tailback Tahj Smith. Weber rushed 10 times for 90 yards, while Smith added 70 yards on 10 carries. Erron Lewis started the game for SCC, but was lifted early once the Comets built a lead.

“The game started the way you’d like it to,” St. Charles coach Frank Monica said. “We had good coverage on the kickoff, forced a three-and-out and got the ball on a short field. We had a couple of early possessions like that, which helped. Once we got the big halftime lead, we were able to get our younger kids some experience in the second half. We played more than 80 kids tonight and got them some varsity experience.”

Monica said some absences along the Ville Platte (1-4) defensive line opened up some opportunities for the Comets to run the ball efficiently and effectively.

“They’ve got a couple of 300-pound defensive tackles, and we expected to see them tonight,” Monica said. “But they were inactive.”

Defensively, Monica said the Comets “bent” but didn’t “break.” The return of Eian Mitchell from injury at defensive tackle was a boon for SCC, as well as the play of end Jonathan Scarpero.

“We didn’t give up anything big,” Monica said. “It was a good win for us to go out on the road and get it done. We solidified some things.”

But with national power John Curtis looming next week, as well as the rest of St. Charles’ district schedule, Monica wouldn’t say he was completely satisfied with the win, noting the performance as sluggish at times.

He’s confident his players understand the challenge ahead of them.

“They know we need to turn it up 10 notches,” Monica said. “I’m happy to leave with the win, but we can’t play at this same level and have success in our district.”