Credit to Jaxx Rigelsky ’24 for the photo, (his Instagram is flicks.by.rigs for sports photos for Jesuit athletics.)
Last Friday, the 2nd of September, Labor Day weekend was in effect, Jesuit had its first away game versus the Rockwall Yellowjackets. In the game, Jesuit handled business against Hebron and single-handedly displayed the talent on both sides of the ball. The defense contributed massively last week, which allowed zero points in three of the 4 quarters, as a result of a shut-out. It was an electric and exhilarating game to witness from the stands beginning the 2022-2023 football season. The student section was rowdy and completely excited, and displayed its attention on the game, locked in, and involved in cheering the team on. Previously, last year Jesuit played Rockwall last year losing 28-75, and struggled in the first half.
Junior Bobby Musso ’24 and Senior Will Sahadaven ’23 waiting on the play (Credit to photographer Jaxx Rigelsky ’24)
Stats:
Offensively, Jake Musso ’23 had a day, with 11 receptions and 114 yards, tacking on a touchdown. Charlie Schmidt ’23 threw 22-29 passes for 160 yards, and a passing touchdown too. Will Greenwood ’23 led the team with rushing yards with 43, and also had one rushing touchdown too. Willis Zemanek ’23 also had one rushing touchdown. Senior Luke Fawcett ’23, was the second leadiing reciever catching roughly three catches for 32 yards. Jesuit had a total of 321 yards, compared to Rockwall’s 475 total yards, however Rockwall completed 26 of its first downs and completed roughly 50 percent of its completions and converting on third down. Jesuit, on the other hand, completed only 18 percent of its 3rd down conversions.
Defensively, nonetheless, Junior Roark Holman ’23 led the team with nine tackles in total from the ground, including one tackle for loss, along with Senior Adam Kelly, who had a game, primarily in the second half, completing 6 of his tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and safety in the 4th quarter. The linebacker core for the Rangers was spectacular as Grant Peters ’23, additionally added 6 tackles of his own, a pass break up, and an interception additionally. Senior Luke Buckner ’23 also tacked on 6 tackles, as Junior Bobby Musso ’24, was all over the ball against Rockwall, swatting two pass break-ups, and five tackles, including an assisted tackle for loss to add to the stat sheet.
Play-by-Play:
First Quarter:
In the first quarter, Rockwall scored the first points of the game in the 9th minute, in an 8 play 71 yard drive. Additionally, just a few minutes before the second quarter began, the Yellow Jackets scored another rushing touchdown in a long 10 play drive of their own.
Second Quarter:
Rockwall drove down the field for their first passing touchdown of the game thrown by K.Helton in the first few mintues of the second quarter. Just roughly a minute later, another 32 yard pass touchdown was caught, in just a one play drive.
Jesuit opened up the score, before the first few mintues of half time began, Charlie Schmidt targeting Jake Musso for the first score of the game for a long 11 play, 75 yard drive.
Rockwall responded in just a minute, with a long 63 yard pass from M. Marshall, in only a 4 play drive.
With only a few seconds left, Rockwall scored another rushing touchdown from an A. Cruz 3 yd run, making the score 48-7 Rockwall.
Third Quarter:
The only score of the game was a field goal from 29 yards, in the middle of the 3rd quarter.
Fourth Quarter:
Rockwall remained scoreless throughout the quarter, from being shut out by Jesuits’ stellar defense. The offense found its rhythm in the 4th quarter, as Jesuit marched down the field with a Willis Zemanek touchdown, in a 7 play drive. Senior linebacker Adam Kelly ’23 tacked on two points for a safety, half way to go in the 4th quarter. Lastly, quarterback Will Greenwood ’23, scored a rushing touchdown, to make the final 51-23 Rockwall.
Overall:
Jesuit had trouble against state-ranked No. 9 Rockwall in the first half, but it’s one game out of the season. The second quarter was out of hand, as Rockwall scored 34 points to Jesuits 7. However, the Jesuit defense shut out the high-caliber Rockwall offense in the final quarter of the game compared to the Jesuit’s 16 points. This second game against Pearce should be a good one at Ranger Stadium, as fall gets closer and closer.
Come out to the district opener against J.J. Pearce at Ranger Stadium @ 7 P.M. J.J. Pearce comes off a loss to Weatherford for the final non-district game 31-41. Currently, they are 0-2 at the moment. Last year, Jesuit demolished Pearce 47-21, and handled business efficiently away. Jesuit hopes to rebound and bounce back from this frustrating loss, hopefully bringing loads of energy and fanfare for the annual district opener.
Defense in the huddle. (Credit to Jaxx Rigelsky ’24 for taking more photos from the game).
