The Jesuit Ranger football team returned to Ranger Stadium this week to play JJ Pearce in their first, annual, district game this season. Going into the game, the fans were hopeful, for a Ranger victory as Jesuit has not lost to Pearce since 2011. Jesuit football was hopeful to comeback from a loss to ranked Rockwall, with hopes still alive for a district championship and a playoff berth.
First Half
Jesuit started the game hot, leading 21-0 after the first quarter. Jesuit scored three touchdowns on three rushes, Jake Musso ’23, Charlie Schmidt ’23, and Cameron Martin ’23 each got a touchdown. In the second quarter, Charlie Schmidt hit Matty Wagner ’23 in stride for a touchdown on their first drive of the quarter. JJ Pearce finally stopped Jesuit on the next drive however, forcing Jesuit to miss a long field goal. Thankfully Jesuit forced Pearce to a three-and-out on the Mustang’s next offensive drive to close out the half, 28-0.
Second Half
Jesuit’s defense forced JJ Pearce to punt to open the half. Pearce then forced Jesuit to attempt a field goal which was blocked. Jesuit got another stop on defense before scoring on another touchdown run from Schmidt. Schmidt’s touchdown run was the only score in the third. Pearce finally scored their first score of the game on a 39-yard touchdown pass, which Jesuit blocked the extra kick for. Tristen Bird ’24 recovered the blocked extrapoint and returned it for a Jesuit score to make it 40-6. With just over five minutes in the fourth, JJ Pearce scored another touchdown, but that was not enough to win the game 40-13.
Recap
Quarterback Charlie Schmidt went 19/26 passing for 181 yards and 1 passing while rushing for 83 yards and 2 touchdowns. Cameron Martin finished with 106 yards and a rushing touchdown, as well as 3 receptions for 27 yards. Jake Musso finished with 6 receptions for 40 yards, as well as 5 rushes for 22 yards and a touchdown. Landon Polk ’24 had 3 receptions for 40 yards, and Matty Wagner had 2 catches for 27 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, Grant Peters ’23 had 2 solo and 5 assisted tackles, including 2 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Luke Buckner finished with 3 total tackles and a tackle for loss. Grayson Wombacher ’24 and Sean Watson ’24 each had 7 total tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss.
What’s Next?
Jesuit is set to play Lake Highlands at Lake Highlands. Kickoff is for 6:50. The theme is set for neon. It will prove to be a tough game and the winner of the game will likely be in contention for the district champion along with Highland Park.
Stay tuned to The Roundup for more Jesuit football news!