St. Charles Catholic to play up to Class 4A

The move has been made.

For years, St. Charles Catholic has spoken about the ambition of playing up in classification to compete with larger schools in most sports. The Comets are poised to do so in 2024.

St. Charles Catholic has elected to play up to Class 4A and compete in Division II playoff action next school year. Schools had to decide Tuesday where they would be for 2024.

“I think it is part of the progression to say that one day we can travel up to Division I,” St. Charles Catholic athletic director and head football coach Wayne Stein said. “This is the next step. I cannot say if it is temporary or permanent. We are committed for two years. We really hashed it out as a group. At the last minute, we felt it was something we can do.”

Speaking from a football perspective with other sports in mind as well, Stein spoke of the vision for making the move.

“We hope to be in a district with Lutcher and Archbishop Shaw and have a larger district,” Stein said. “With the playoff format now, there are great teams in all brackets. You cannot duck anyone. No one knows who will play where annually.”

The competition will most certainly be more difficult in some sports for the Comets.

“We feel Division II basketball is a huge step up for our programs,” Stein said. “I do feel we will compete well in baseball and softball. We feel like there is not much difference in competition between the two classes, otherwise. I wish all sports would be divisions to allow you to play where you want in specific sports. We play up in golf. You can do so in swimming, soccer, wrestling.”

St. Charles Catholic has won back-to-back state championships in Select Division III football and baseball.

The Comets have proven they can compete with higher classification schools in football, baseball and softball, in particular.

“In football, our first five opponents have been 4A schools,” Stein said. “We regularly play higher classification teams in baseball.”

There is one mitigating factor in the decision.

“Of course, we are hoping for increased enrollment,” Stein said. “By moving up, we feel it may make our athletic programs more attractive to prospective student-athletes as well.”