FRANKLINTON – The St. Charles Comets were on the road again this week as they traveled to face the Franklinton Demons on Thursday night. The Comets were challenged with stopping a very productive Demon offense. Coming into the week seven game, quarterback Jasper LaSalle passed for over 1,000 yards in six games. Running back Mike Martin had 538 yards rushing and 14 rushing touchdowns in only three games played this season, and Demon wide receiver Caleb Brown had 24 catches for 482 yards and three touchdowns for the season.

St. Charles and a stifling defense stuffed the run and the pass all night long and came up with four turnovers in a decisive 35 – 6 victory over Franklinton. St. Charles started their first possession on the Franklinton 14-yard line after a 1-yard punt. The Comets scored on an 8-yard touchdown run by Phillip Tran to take a 7-0 lead. Later in the first quarter, a Franklinton drive was stopped when Eli Ory made a tackle, forced a fumble and recovered the fumble. Samuel Joyce added an interception in the second quarter for the second Comet takeaway.

St. Charles scored again on an 11 play, 75-yard drive that was capped off by an 11-yard touchdown run on a quarterback keeper by Zack Vicknair. The Comet defense halted another Franklinton drive with an interception by Josh Tamplain. The defense held the Franklinton offense to only 3 first downs and 50 yards of total offense in the first half to take a 14 – 0 lead at halftime.

The St. Charles offense started rolling in the second half with a 60-yard drive and a 19-yard touchdown run by Vicknair. The Comets scored again in the third quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by Tran for the 28 – 0 lead. The Comets gathered up their fourth turnover of the evening as Mandel Eugene forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, and Bryce Bertucci recovered the fumble. The offense scored again a few plays later on a 1-yard touchdown run by Kaiden Jones for the 35-0 lead late in the third quarter. Franklinton added a late touchdown for the 35 – 6 final score. The Comets controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. A few players that were injured previously saw some game action as the Comets seem to be getting healthy at some key positions before district play.

St. Charles will return home next week for a district battle against Newman.