e are officially back in school, which only means one thing… Jesuit football is also back. Your Rangers have been a cornerstone in the Jesuit community for decades, and now they are here again for another season. This year’s seniors chose the motto, “SET THE STANDARD”, in the hopes of establishing a winning standard here for Jesuit Dallas football.
Last Season Recap
In the 2024 season, the Rangers finished with an overall record of 6-5 and with a divisional record of 5-2. The 2024 Rangers were loaded with senior talent, led by star quarterback Charlie Peters ’25 (now playing at Dartmouth) and three speedy receivers in Blake Bodnar ’25 (now playing at WashU), Jaeger Krauss ’25 (now playing at Johns Hopkins), and Jack Yeskie ’25 (now also playing at Johns Hopkins). In the playoffs, the Rangers fought hard in the first round but couldn’t come out with a victory, losing to Arlington Bowie 42-56. With the loss of so many Senior starters the Rangers will need to forge themselves a path to success this season and start the new era of Jesuit Dallas football.
This Season: What’s New
This year the Rangers are starting with a clean slate with only 8 returning Varsity starters, meaning you will be seeing a lot of new players this year during Friday Night Lights. Three of these new faces to the Varsity team include Offensive Tackle Ben Bumgardner ’28, Wide Receiver Corson Lindley ’28, and Quarterback JP Livingstone ’28.
Corson Lindley ’28 #18 (credit: shots_by.andy on Instagram)
For the Freshman Gold team last season Ben Bumgardner ’28 was an imposing force on the offensive line standing at 6’3 and weighing in at 275 pounds. Corson Lindley ’28 led the Freshman Gold team on the offensive side of the ball with approximately 1,200 receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns in only 10 games, making him a dangerous threat to look out for this year on offense. JP Livingstone ’28 was the starting quarterback for the 2024 Freshman Gold team, but he ended up suffering a collarbone injury in the Week 3 game vs Highland Park on a QB designed run which sidelined him for the rest of the season. Now, fully healthy, JP is looking to bounce back strong as he is a quarterback on Varsity.
The Rangers have also made three new additions this summer to the already incredible coaching staff. The first new addition to the football coaching staff is Greg Meek who will coach the defensive backs. Coach Meek has great football experience himself as he played receiver for the USA National Flag Football team, which they won a gold medal in 2018 and Coach Meekwas named MVP.
The second new addition to the football coaching staff is J.D. Waggoner ’13 who will coach the defensive line. Coach Waggoner is a Jesuit graduate himself, graduating in 2013. While playing for the football team he earned himself the District 9-5A Defensive MVP honors and the team’s Best Defensive Lineman award. Coach Waggoner then went on to play football at Iowa State from 2013-2017. During his senior season, Coach Waggoner led the Cyclones and finished seventh in the Big 12 with 13.5 tackles for loss and led all defensive lineman with 42 total tackles. He helped lead Iowa State to several big-time wins, including a road win over third-ranked Oklahoma and a 21-20 victory over No. 19 Memphis in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
And the third newest hire to the football coaching staff is David Farris who will assist in coaching the defense. Coach Farris has a plethora amount of coaching knowledge, as he is entering is 46th season coaching Texas High School Football;previously serving as the Head Coach for Wolfe City HS from ‘90-‘92, North Garland HS from ’01-‘11, and serving as the Defensive Coordinator for John Paull II HS for 4+ years. Coach Farris also has playing experience himself, having played football at Hillcrest HS from ‘71-‘73, and then at East Texas State from ‘74-‘77.
Roster Overview: Offense
With previous quarterback Charlie Peters ’25 having just graduated a couple of months prior, a new quarterback is needed to lead the offense and Beck Berry ’26 is the perfect man for the job. In the past Berry played both quarterback and receiver for the Rangers offense using his speed to create separation from the defense, clocking in a 4.62 40 time. But now with the absence of Peters, Berry is solely focused on quarterback and has been able to show off his impressive dual-threat skills such as his arm talent and quickness outside the pocket which Coach Hickman and the rest of the coaching staff plan to make very good use of this season.
On the offensive line returning Varsity starter Luke Cutler ’26 is back for vengeance this season. Cutler, the right guard for Jesuit’s “HAWGS” was named to the All-District Honorable Mention team this past season. Cutler has also had a very impressive summer lifting ridiculous numbers including setting his bench and squat maxes at 360 lbs and 535 lbs respectively. Cutler has also picked up attention from college coaches this summer as he currently holds an offer from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia.
At the wide receiver position there are five top guys but the one I want to focus on in this article is Harlan Beucler ’26 and there is one main reason… his speed. This summer during one of the football testing days Harlan ran a 4.31 40-yard dash. The average 40 time for an NFL wide receiver is a 4.48. Harlan is also on the track team, running the 100 and 200 meter dashes. Harlan made State and at the state meet he ran a 21.06 200 meter dash, finishing fourth in the state of Texas. I know the coaches are excited to be able to use someone with his caliber of speed in the offensive scheme so it will be interesting to see the various ways he is utilized.
Roster Overview: Defense
On the other side of the line of scrimmage is the defense and one guy who is looking to wreck havoc this season is Nose Guard Parker Sherman ’26. Sherman is a returning Varsity starter who last year finished the season with 61 tackles, two tackles for loss and three sacks, while also being selected to the All-District Second Team. Sherman, along with Jackson Waguespack ’27 is one of the team’s long snappers, Sherman was recently graded a 3.5-star long snapper on a 5-star scale by Kohl’s Kicking. Like Luke Cutler, Sherman has also started to receive attention from college coaches as he has attended many college camps, along with attaining offers to play football from Catholic University and Dordt University.
The most important position on defense? The middle linebacker. The middle linebacker is the quarterback of the defense making reads and calling out formations for the rest of the defense. Jesuit’s middle linebacker is Gabriel James ’26. Gabe is used to playing important positions on the defensive side of the ball as he is also the goalie for Jesuit’s stellar lacrosse team. Last season Gabe led the Ranger’s defense in tackles with 96 and also earned All-District First Team honors. James has received attention from college coaches, but for lacrosse, as Gabe is an Ohio State Lacrosse commit.
Another defensive lineman who is looking to make some noise this season is Tanner Krug ’26. Krug is very athletic at the EDGE rusher position boasting a 4.62 40-yard dash while standing at an towering 6’6 and weighing in at 215 pounds. Krug has recently started to receive looks from colleges, this past June, Krug received his first offer from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.
Season Preparations: Summer
This summer all of the Jesuit football players put in the work and put fourth outstanding effort in the team workouts and practices. Many players achieved great things this summer, such as, putting their name on the ‘Dell’s Bell’, breaking school records (Luke Cutler ’26 broke the Jesuit bench press record by benching 360 pounds), or even making it to 27 of 31 workouts. Thats the message this year’s senior football players are trying to send with the ‘SET THE STANDARD MOTTO’, that you need to put in the energy and time as a team to reach your collective goals.
Interview With Coach Hickman
Recently I had the opportunity to ask Coach Hickman some questions on the upcoming season.
Q1: What are your expectations for this season for the team?
A: “Every season our expectations are high. Every one of our teams over the years have its own identity. That starts with our coaching staffs standards of doing things the right way and our players eager to work hard while having a get better mindset. I really like our 2025 team’s make up and leaders. These guys have put in the work all spring and summer real excited to go on this journey accomplishing our team goals. Our expectations are to play extremely hard and represent Jesuit the right way on and off the field.”
Q2: What are the team’s biggest goals for the season?
A: “After talking with our players during the spring and summer it’s the same goal…win the district and make a playoff run. That’s the standard every year. If your goal [is to] win the district you’re going to typically make the playoffs wherever you finish. Having team goals are great, but our approach is always focus on the process first by getting better…if we can do that then the team goals typically take care of themselves.”
Q3: Who would you consider as the leaders of the team?
A: “Every season my goal is to have 65-70 leaders on our team. That’s very hard to accomplish because everyone brings different unique qualities to our program. Some are vocal some are quiet and that’s ok. The key to identifying our leaders is by their actions not words. Are you there putting in the work being consistent? Are you a builder helping build team chemistry and lifting your teammates up? Our leadership committee consist of 8 seniors and 4 juniors. These guys were selected by their teammates. Out of the 12 guys 4 senior players are captains. We are a player led team. Player led teams tend to play harder for each other because they are well connected and don’t want to let their teammate down. It just means more coming from your teammates. As a staff we are always searching for better ways to develop leaders, great teammates, and young men. That’s one of the many things I love about Jesuit. We are all trying to develop young men that are Men for Others. In our program that’s our biggest focus.”
Q4: What improvements has the team made since last year?
A: “We have improved in certain areas on both sides of the ball especially like our team speed defensively and skill on offense. I feel we are stronger up front on the OL going into this season. Coach Lefevbre, Coach Hari, and our football staff worked hard with our players this summer and did an excellent job with them. We added 3 coaches JD Waggoner, Greg Meek, and David Farris to our defensive staff that have been outstanding additions for our team.”
Q5: Which opponents will be our toughest tests and why?
A: “We preach to not focus on our opponent, [and let them] focus on us. Yes, we have to game plan our opponent but as a staff we talk very little about the other team. We focus on us and how we operate daily aiming to get 1% better. Playing 6A football is no joke in Texas and something that’s unique about us having that opportunity. It’s big boy football so if you want to be the best you have to play the best. I love to schedule tough non district games that are challenging. We’ve competed well with most of them which gives our kids confidence. We have to see that speed and size so when you get to district play the game slows down some. If you schedule easy non district games, you’re not seeing that speed and size so when district approaches it can become a challenge.”
Q6: What game are you most exited for this season?
A: “I’m excited for all our games on the schedule. Every season you only get 10 guaranteed games. The first one is Hebron so that’s our only focus. Sounds like your typical coaches spea[ch]… but our guys will approach it 1 play at a time, 1 practice at a time, and 1 game at a time.
Schedule Outlook:
Week 1 at Hebron on 8/29 at 7pm 
Considered a season defining game because the outcome of this game will set the tone for the Rangers for the remainder of the season.
Last Season Result: L, 31-48
Link To Last Year’s Game Recap – https://jesuitrangers.org/news/2024/8/30/jesuit-drops-season-opener-to-hebron.aspx
Week 2 vs Jesuit New Orleans on 9/6 at 7pm
Last Season Result: W, 28-20
Link To Last Year’s Game Recap –https://jesuitrangers.org/news/2024/9/8/football-varsity-jesuit-football-scores-big-win-in-the-big-easy-upends-jesuit-new-orleans.aspx
Week 3 at Highland Park on 9/13 at 7pm 
Considered a season defining game because Highland Park is our biggest rival and easily our toughest opponent of the season as they made the 5A State Championship this past season. Highland Park is also one of the all time best high school football programs in Texas. All in all making this easily the biggest game of the season.
Last Season Result: L, 20-43
RIVALRY GAME: “The Tollway Tussle”
Link To Last Year’s Game Recap – https://jesuitrangers.org/news/2024/9/15/football-varsity-football-falls-to-highland-park-to-close-non-district-play.aspx
Week 4 at Irving on 9/20 at 7pm
Last Season Result: W, 49-20
Link To Last Year’s Game Recap –https://jesuitrangers.org/news/2024/9/28/football-varsity-first-quarter-salvo-catapults-jesuit-to-dominant-win-over-irving.aspx
Week 5 vs J.J. Pearce on 10/3 at 7pm
Last Season Result: L, 42-48
Link To Last Year’s Game Recap –https://jesuitrangers.org/news/2024/10/5/football-varsity-pearce-scores-in-final-minute-to-hand-jesuit-first-district-loss.aspx
Week 6 vs Lake Highlands on 10/10 at 7pm (Senior Night)
Considered a season defining game because in recent years Lake Highlands has been the Rangers toughest district opponent for football in recent years, as they have won the district the past two years. The Wildcats are led by Aaden Little ’26 who plays outside linebacker and Chuck Smith ’26 who is a transfer quarterback from Highland Park.
Last Season Result: L, 10-38
Link To Last Year’s Game Recap – https://jesuitrangers.org/news/2024/10/10/football-varsity-football-drops-thursday-night-bout-to-lake-highlands.aspx
Week 7 at MacArthur on 10/16 at 7pm
Last Season Result: W, 41-27
Link To Last Year’s Game Recap – https://jesuitrangers.org/news/2024/10/19/football-varsity-football-powers-past-macarthur.aspx
Week 8 vs Richardson on 10/24 at 7pm (Homecoming Game)
Last Season Result: W, 42-28
Link To Last Year’s Game Recap – https://jesuitrangers.org/news/2024/10/27/football-varsity-jesuit-races-past-richardson-for-key-district-victory.aspx
Week 9 at Berkner on 10/31 at 7pm
Last Season Result: W, 33-18
Link To Last Year’s Game Recap – https://jesuitrangers.org/news/2024/11/4/football-varsity-football-wins-homecoming-game-over-berkner.aspx
Week 10 at Nimitz on 11/7 at 7pm
Last Season Result: W, 56-14
Link To Last Year’s Game Recap – https://jesuitrangers.org/news/2024/11/9/football-varsity-rangers-secure-regular-season-closing-win-over-nimitz-on-soggy-senior-night.aspx
Conclusion:
Ranger Fans! I am sure that after reading this you are more exited than ever for the Rangers to kickoff the 2025 Football Season… so come watch our Jesuit Rangers battle it out against Jesuit New Orleans in the first home game at Ranger Stadium on September 6th at 7pm.
Stay Tuned into The Roundup for coverage of the 2025-26 Season!
