On Friday, March 31st, at 4 PM, the annual Jesuit Roundup Expository Bowl versus the Varsity Football team was on at Ranger Stadium. With the possibility of rain on Friday afternoon, The Roundup was not sure whether or not this game was going to be on. However, they were determined to win in a great fashion and replicate last year’s monumental win with a score of 79-77 in nail-biting fashion. With our very own EIC Logan Thompson ’24 at quarterback with three years of experience, we knew that it could be done as a team.
First Half
The rules are you start at the 50-yard line and get 5 downs. You can go for 1 point or 2 points on the 10-yard line. This year, the same goal was in mind, to win, and play until the buzzer sounded off. After not much preparation and practice, the Roundup was faced with a challenge, however, the game opened up and in the first play of the game, Varsity Football received the ball and immediately scored a 60-yard passing touchdown from Roark Holman ’23 to Adam Kelly ’23.
The Roundup was caught sleeping and did not expect a large play to start off the game. The Roundup received the ball and went turnover on downs. And through the next drive, the football team put up another 7 points, making it 14-0. Not defeated and surely optimistic, the Roundup knew that it could be done and start this comeback. Next, a few minutes before the first half ended, the Roundup put up a quick score by Griffin Taber ’24 in the end zone and failed to make the 1-point try, making it 6-14 football team. Then, the football team executed and scored on their last possession. They also converted the 2-point try to make it possibly a three-score game.
“It was a really competive game and I’m proud of everyone for their effort and the close game we managed. Couldn’t be more proud of that impressive comeback” – Logan Thompson ’24, EIC
2nd Half
After some talk with Coach Hickman and Woods, the Roundup, although down possibly three touchdowns, was certain to get back in this ball game. They deferred at kick-off and now had a chance to make some magic happen. At around 10 minutes left to go in the game, Thomas Fino ‘25 caught a heavily contested ball against Tyler Baxley ’23, securing the catch. The Roundup now down by 8. On the next drive, the Football Team threw a tough interception, off the hands of Sebastian Rubio ’23 to Griffin Taber ’24 to score a quick go-ahead pick-six touchdown to possibly tie the ball game. With only about 7 minutes to go, the game was just a two-point game. The Football team drove down the field to score a touchdown and convert the two-point conversion.
Result
The Roundup had quite a turnaround with Fino, once again with a clutch catch from about 25 yards from Logan. The game came down to the last minute or two, where the Roundup was on the 10-yard line needing a crucial 2-point conversion. However, the football team brought pressure and swamped quarterback Logan Thompson ’24 before he had time to throw the ball. The football team took a knee and the game ended in a narrow football victory.
Check back to The Roundup for more coverage in the future for the annual Expository Bowl.