Jesuit running out of the tunnel
Source: Jaxx Rigelsky ’24 (flicks.by.rigs)
Defensive lineman Chris Simington ’24 said, “Throughout the year we’ve gotten closer as not just a football team but as a family and I feel that chemistry and bond will show greatly this friday night as we take on Arlington High in our first playoff game.”
Jesuit handled business in their last district game against Richardson and now look ahead to playoffs. Coming into this game, Jesuit beat Irving MacArthur in a gutsy ending off a last-second goal line interception by linebacker Grant Peters ’23, in the endzone in the pouring rain on the annual homecoming game. The game was originally supposed to start at 7 P.M., but with the heavy rain and lightning nearby; the game had to be paused until further notice. Then, around almost 8:30, the game began.
Most people avoided the rain and chose to watch the game at their house to stay warm, and support the Jesuit Ranger Broadcasters. However, due to this rain, it was tough for both teams to find a rhythm on offense. Jesuit looked to rebound off their slow offensive performance and beat Richardson 38-28 in good fashion on a questionable weather day.
Fellow Associate Editor and offensive lineman Ben Petroff ’24 said, “We executed well on defense.”
Stats:
Offense:
Senior quarterback Charlie Schmidt threw for a solid 258 yards and completed 22-33 of his passes, rushed for three rushing touchdowns, and also a passing touchdown to Matty Wagner. Running back Reed Pfaffenberger ’23 led the game on the ground for the Rangers, adding 114 all-purpose yards, and even a 26-yard rushing touchdown. And offensively Luke Fawcett ’23 finished the game with 114 receiving yards. Jesuit converted more first downs with 23 than Richardson with 18. The Rangers continue to pound the ball and continue to show that aspect of the offense and averaged about 5.5 yards per carry against Richardson.
Defense:
Linebackers Blake Miller ’23, Grayson Wombacher ’24, and Adam Kelly ’23 all contributed 10 tackles of their own. Kelly also had 1.5 TFL and 1.5 sacks, a huge game for him. Also, Roark Holman ’23 was right behind everyone with 8 tackles of his own too.
Special Teams:
Noah McGough ’25 also knocked in a field goal from 21 yards out near the last minute of the 4th quarter.
Defensive back Fred Lucky ’24 waiting on the snap
Source: Jaxx Rigelsky ’24 (flicks.by.rigs)
Play by Play:
1st Quarter:
First, the Rangers deferred, and McGough kicked off and bombed it to the endzone. The Eagles received the ball on the 25-yard line in their own territory. The Eagles made small increments and eventually scored, as their quarterback ran for 36 yards for the first score of the game.
After 2 failed drives all leading to punts, the Rangers received the ball at around 5 minutes, and Jesuit began to move the ball driving down the field. It led to a Charlie Schmidt 1-yard touchdown. Jesuit made 7-7 with a minute left on the clock in the 1st quarter.
2nd Quarter:
Richardson punted the ball away in their 8-play drive, as the defense only gave up 14 yards. Jesuit had the ball on the Richardson 45, and in only 4 plays, running back Reed Pfaffenberger ’23 found the endzone for 26 yards. Jesuit was up 14-7 with almost halfway to go in the second quarter.
McGough kicked it off, and the Richardson returner took it 21 yards to Richardson’s 31-yard line. Richardson threw a bomb to D. Lamendola for 44 yards in a 6-play drive. Now, Jesuit has the game tied at 14-14.
Jesuit got the ball back with 4 minutes left to go, and needed a large momentum swing entering the second half of the game. Fawcett took it to the 25-yard line. With another quick drive, Schmidt rallied in a 10-play drive, taking a keeper for 16 yards!
3rd Quarter:
Richardson received the ball back with a minute left to go on the clock before halftime, Richardson called a time-out on Jesuit’s own 9-yard line, with 14 seconds left on the clock. And Armstrong threw a pass to Farrar with 9 seconds left to go.
Going into the second half of the game, both teams were tied at 21. Jesuit received the ball, and Schmidt found the endzone for another keeper for 6 for another quick drive in less than two minutes. Richardson’s drive started at 10:20, and ran the ball for about four 8 plays, until Armstrong completed a pass for 40 yards, tieing the ball game up.
Jesuit had a longer possession this drive, with small dink and dunk runs/passes with some large passes and runs by running back Cameron Martin ’23 and wide receiver Luke Fawcett ’23. Eventually, Schmidt found Matty Wagner in the endzone with two minutes to go in the third.
4th Quarter:
Leading into the quarter, Jesuit up 35-28 looked to defend the pass from Armstrong and stop the run efficiently continued to huge plays on the ball, shutting out Richardson in the 4th quarter. Mainly in this quarter, it was a defensive battle between both teams, but the Rangers in the 4th quarter stepped up to the plate and managed to make Richardson punt two times and go for it on 4th down. Sophomore kicker Noah McGough scored the only points in the quarter by both teams to make the game 38-28 Rangers.
Quarterback Charlie Schmidt ’23 ready to receive the snap
Source: Jaxx Rigelsky ’24 (flicks.by.rigs)
Summary:
With the win over Richardson, Jesuit stands second in the 6A division 2 district at 8-2 and rallied 7-1 in district! Jesuit looks to capitalize against the Arlington Colts on Friday night @ Ranger Stadium(old Globe Life Park) in their Bi-District game. Originally, it was supposed to be @ Choctaw Stadium in Arlington on Thursday night but got pushed back. You don’t want to miss it! Arlington stands third in their Region I District 8 district behind South Grand Prarie, and the Arlington Martin Warriors, who stand number 1 in their district at 9-1.
This will be an exciting game for Jesuit, however, Jesuit looks forward to next week for their chance to advance in playoffs. Additionally, last year, Jesuit previously played Arlington in the playoffs last year and set the tone throughout the game with the offense exploding and contributing hugely with a 69-36 win. The Rangers look to bring the tempo next week on Friday on both sides of the ball, and the most wonderful time of the year is playoff season. I personally can’t wait for the exciting atmosphere on Friday night.
Stay tuned to the Roundup for more Jesuit football coverage and information!