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Written by Ken Trahan, President--NewOrleans.Com/Sports | Thursday, 26 November 2009 22:33 Prep Sports
All season long, the focal point of 2A on a state-wide basis has been on John Curtis and Evangel, and why not? The super powers are the dominant programs in the class, if not the state, overall. Last year, they met for the state championship with John Curtis winning convincingly. Most people feel that they will meet again, with Curtis on one side of the bracket as the top-seed and Evangel on the other side as the two-seed. There are some who have espoused the quality of Capitol Academy as a team that could upset Evangel to face Curtis.
Before that happens, excellent teams such as Farmerville, Holy Savior Menard, Many and Riverside will have something to say. One school that few outside of the immediate New Orleans area are talking about is St. Charles Catholic. They should be.
The fourth-seeded Comets have played great football this season. Their only loss was a thrilling, highly disappointing 19-18 loss to John Curtis on October 23 in LaPlace. The Patriots drove the length of the field to win it with just 57 seconds remaining in the game.
Any team that plays Curtis in that fashion has to garner respect. Of course, history would suggest that the Comets command respect in 2A. Both in 2005 and 2006, St. Charles Catholic reached the championship game, losing on both occasions to John Curtis.
The 2009 Comets are 11-1. Their defense has been stellar, allowing only 88 points all season long. The offense has scored 49 points in each of its last three games and has scored 40 or more points in eight of its last nine games. This is a very good football team.
The Comets offense is led by junior quarterback Henri Faucheux, who throws an outstanding ball. He has gotten better as the season has progressed.
Running back Jeffery Hall, a gifted sophomore, is our current NewOrleans.Com/Sports, R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, WGSO, 990 AM and WGNO-TV Prep Player of the Week for the Metro New Orleans area. Hall rushed for 201 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-0 St. Charles regional round playoff thrashing of Springfield. The Comets whipped Homer 49-6 in the opening round of the playoffs.
Sophomore Lazedrick Thompson has been an outstanding runner for Frank Monica’s Comets as well, providing a solid one-two punch. Wide receivers Zach Goodwin and Cameron Singleton have come up big while tight end Brandon Becker is a dangerous target as well. What makes the Comets so tough to defend is their balance.
Linebacker Johnny Fisse had a pair of interceptions in the victory over Springfield. Defensive backs Brady Hitt, Dylan Kliebert, Grant Authement, along with defensive lineman Lajaylin Smith and Nick Reine are standouts for the St. Charles defense. Kliebert had a pair of interceptions against Curtis.
The kicking game is good with James Krawczyk having an excellent season booting field goals.
Fifth-seeded Farmerville has been impressive, going 11-1 on the season. Their only loss was a close 28-26 defeat at the hands of 3A quarterfinalist Rayville back in week five. In the playoffs, Joe Spatafora’s Farmers whipped University Lab 51-7 before shutting out Ferriday 21-0 in a rematch game a week ago.
The 2-2A champions are led by DePaul Elliott, who keys a very potent running attack. Elliott has rushed for 1,331 yards and 15 touchdowns. Keontae Fields provides a good second threat. He has rushed for 785 yards and four touchdowns.
Quarterback Caleb Kelly has thrown for 1,176 yards and 11 touchdowns while Carl Pearson is the top receiver with five touchdown receptions.
This is an intriguing matchup of a good team from northern Louisiana against a good team from southern Louisiana. Both are playing a high level. Whoever wins will certainly join the conversation with John Curtis and Evangel as being worthy contenders for state honors.
