St. Charles getting healthier, getting better, ready for stiff challenge at U-High

It has been a whirlwind tour for St. Charles Catholic and veteran head coach Frank Monica.

While no one feels sorry for a team and its injuries, it has been a very tough year for the Comets, who lost its best players to injury early in the season, including Lloyd Nash, Dellary Oubre and Narquez Jones.

While Oubre is out for the year, Nash and Jones have returned and have made a difference.

The third-seeded Comets smashed 11th-seed St. Louis Catholic 42-10 Friday night at Thomas Dupuy Stadium to advance to the Division II semifinals.

Jones rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries while Nash was solid throughout, completing all four of his passes for 54 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown pass to Darrin Blystad. Joseph Chiarella and Phillip Tran added rushing touchdowns. The always tough Comets defense held the Saints to just 195 total yards.

Speaking on The Three Tailgaters Show on WGSO, 990 AM, Monica expressed satisfaction with his team’s effort.

“It was a nice effort all the way around,” Monica said. “It’s been one of those awkward years with so many years. It is great to have Lloyd back. He makes such a difference, just with his presence in the huddle.”

Now, the Comets (9-2) face a daunting challenge at unbeaten and second-seed University High (11-0) next Friday night.

The Cubs have been dominant, averaging 43.3 points per game while allowing just 8.3 points per contest.

The two teams are very familiar with each other, squaring off in scrimmages each August for several years now. By all accounts, the Cubs have had the better of those meetings and will be favored next Friday night.

“We scrimmage them every year and every year they come and kick our fanny. They are fast paced with athletes all over the field. They spread the field and do a phenomenal job of throwing to the flats and running the ball. Their quarterback is not a real runner but he is an excellent thrower. They never widen their feet on defense. They are very physical and they cover very well.”

University advanced with a solid 35-9 win over seventh-seed Teurlings Catholic.

As we have learned over an extended period of time, never sell a Frank Monica team short, though the odds are long.

“We’re not great in any phase but we’re pretty good all around,” Monica said. “We try to win hidden yards and special teams and try to play on a short field. Turnovers are important to us. We are truly the sum of our parts, a team. We have to stay inside the chains on offense. No one gave us a chance at Notre Dame last year and we won (21-10). It will take a monumental effort. It is a monumental task.”