On a sun-soaked Monday afternoon at Lesley Field, the Jesuit Dallas Rangers captured their fifth Texas High School Lacrosse League Class AA State Championship with a 9-8 victory over The Woodlands, capping off one of the most memorable postseason runs in program history. Trailing 3-0 early, the Rangers rallied behind standout senior performances to reclaim the lead and never look back, winning eight of their final nine games. The victory further cementing Head Coach Chris Surran’s remarkable legacy at Jesuit, where he has now led the program to five state titles across his 18-year tenure, reaffirming the Rangers as one of the premier lacrosse programs in the state of Texas.
History Under Coach Surran
For nearly two decades, the success of Jesuit Dallas lacrosse has been closely tied to the leadership and vision of Head Coach Chris Surran. Now entering his 18th season on the Rangers’ sideline, Surran has helped transform Jesuit into one of the premier lacrosse programs in Texas, building a culture defined by consistency, postseason success, and championship expectations.
Under Surran’s leadership, Jesuit has captured five Texas High School Lacrosse League (THSLL) State Championships, winning titles in 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, and 2026. His 226-74 career record reflects one of the most successful coaching tenures in program history, and the Rangers’ continued playoff appearances have established Jesuit as a continuous state contender.
The Rangers’ rise began quickly after Surran’s arrival in 2006. In his first season as head coach, he guided a team that had finished 2-9 the year before to an impressive 16-4 record, earning Dallas Morning News Lacrosse Coach of the Year honors. Since then, Jesuit has posted double-digit wins in all but three seasons under his leadership and has sent more than 20 former Rangers to compete at the collegiate level.
Jesuit’s breakthrough moment came on May 15, 2016, when the Rangers secured their first lacrosse state championship in school history with a 9-4 victory over Highland Park. The program followed that accomplishment with another title in 2017, defeating Episcopal School of Dallas 9-8 in a thrilling championship game. More recently, Jesuit captured back-to-back championships in 2021 and 2022, cementing the Rangers as one of the dominant programs in the THSLL era.
Beyond the championships, the Rangers have become a hallmark in the postseason. Jesuit has reached the state semifinals in 10 of the last 12 seasons and consistently competes against the top programs in Texas. The 2022 championship run showcased the program’s resilience, as the Rangers closed the season on an eight-game winning streak and defeated ESD 11-10 in the state final after a commanding semifinal win over St. Mark’s.
Surran’s impact extends beyond Jesuit Dallas. Before arriving in Dallas, he coached at Naval Academy Preparatory School in Rhode Island and later became deeply involved in growing the sport across North Texas. He founded Iron Horse Lacrosse and the Dallas Deuces Lacrosse Organization, while also serving on the board of Bridge Lacrosse Dallas, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to lacrosse throughout the metroplex.
As a player, Surran starred at Syracuse University, where he was an All-American goalie and member of the Orange’s 1993 NCAA National Championship team. He remains one of the top goalkeepers in program history, ranking ninth all-time at Syracuse with 476 career saves.
Through sustained success, championship performances, and a commitment to developing student athletes both on and off the field, Surran has helped establish Jesuit Dallas lacrosse as one of the most respected high school programs in Texas.
“Winning a state championship means a lot because of everything this team went through together throughout the season. Everyone stepped up when it mattered most, and it’s special to be part of a program with so much history and tradition.” – Jackson Gair ’27
Outstanding Performance and Playmaking
The Jesuit Rangers capped off a dominant postseason run Monday afternoon, capturing the Texas High School Lacrosse League Class AA State Championship with a thrilling 9-8 victory over The Woodlands at Lesley Field.
Trailing 3-0 early, Jesuit responded with intensity behind standout performances from several senior leaders. Offensive MVP David Atwell ’26 sparked the comeback, scoring three of the Rangers’ first five goals. His powerful strike with just 3.8 seconds remaining in the first half gave Jesuit a 5-4 lead heading into halftime, a momentum-shifting moment that proved crucial to the game’s outcome.
Jesuit continued to control the pace in the third quarter as Marshall Sorokwasz ’26 scored twice and Hudson Yeskie ’27 added a late goal in the final 20 seconds of the period to extend the Rangers’ lead to 8-5.
When The Woodlands threatened to rally in the fourth quarter, Senior Andrew Ditchman ’26 delivered another clutch moment, finishing a difficult off hand shot from a sharp angle to push Jesuit ahead 9-6 with just over seven minutes remaining.
Defensively, the Rangers were anchored by Senior Goalie Gabriel James ’26, who earned Defensive Most Valuable Player honors after recording 11 saves under constant pressure. Thompson Haddock ’26 helped Jesuit maintain possession throughout the game, winning nine faceoffs as the Rangers claimed 12 of 21 overall.
“This championship was the result of the work this team put in every single day. We stayed close as a group all season, and being able to finish it together with a state title is something none of us will forget.” – JC Fife ’27
Despite a late push from The Woodlands, Jesuit stayed composed in the final seconds, forcing a turnover after the last faceoff and clearing the ball to secure the championship victory.
Senior Jack Steinbach ’26 was named Championship MVP as the Rangers captured their fifth state title in program history and their first since back-to-back championships in 2021 and 2022. Jesuit previously won titles in 2016 and 2017. The victory followed an impressive 10-5 road win over highly ranked Highland Park in the state semifinals, capping off a strong finish in which Jesuit won eight of its final nine games.
Perspectives on the Game
Coach Matthew Upton ’02 stated, “The game was everything you could ask for in a championship, a true display of all the emotions that sport brings out in us. In the first quarter, when [The] Woodlands went up 3-0 mostly behind their top two players, the crowd grew a little quiet, but it was easy to see that we had a game plan. After a couple of timeouts, the score stood at 4-1 in favor of [The] Woodlands. While they were still ahead, that one goal let the fans know we could get through their defense. In the student section, that was all they needed. In the second and fourth quarters, [The] Woodlands [were] attacking the end zone where our student section stood, and they made sure [The] Woodlands felt the pressure and knew they were the away team. At halftime, the score was tied, and many of us felt the momentum had shifted. [The] Woodlands looked deflated. Our defense tightened up and shut them down, holding them to just one or two more goals for the rest of the game. The second-quarter adjustments made a huge difference for Jesuit, and [The] Woodlands had no answer.”
In the second half, fans were a little nervous, but in all honesty, Jesuit’s coaching staff made great adjustments and their players executed. One could tell in the second half that the Rangers were playing within a system, working to get the shot they wanted or the one they thought was most likely to go in. The Woodlands looked scattered, playing an isolation offense. Eventually they did make an adjustment in how they shot that got them their last goals, but Gabriel James responded and solidified his claim to Defensive MVP. David Atwell and Marshall Sorokwasz each answered the call with five goals between them. Atwell took home Offensive MVP with his hat trick, and Sorokwasz scored the go-ahead goal and the game-winner as well.
In the fourth quarter, The Woodlands attacked toward Jesuit’s fan section and the home-city advantage could be felt. The stands were shaking as the crowd jumped and cheered every time The Woodlands had the ball in Jesuit’s zone. It was electric. Before you knew it, it was just a matter of counting down the final seconds and then watching as shiny gold helmets and sticks launched into the air when the clock hit zero.
“This team showed a lot of resilience throughout the playoffs. No matter the situation, we trusted each other and kept fighting, and being able to bring another championship back to Jesuit makes it even more meaningful.” – Declan Kissock ’27
Head Coach Surran stated, “The Class A team beat Highland Park in the semifinal 10-5 at Highland Park. HP was the number two ranked public-school team in the country at the time, so it was a tremendous team win. The championship game was moved from Sunday to Monday at 1:30 p.m. due to weather. The school bused in our Class B and JV players, along with all of the seniors who wanted to attend. We went down early in the first half 4-1 but clawed our way back because of the great riding effort from our attack seniors Wil Fagan ’26, Jack Lynch ’26, and Andrew Ditchman. David Atwell scored four goals in the game, and Thompson Haddock won over 50 percent of his faceoffs. Our defense, led by a herculean effort from Jack Steinbach and Goalie Gabriel James, held off a potent Woodlands offense and kept them to eight goals for the win. Momentum-shifting goals from Marshall Sorokwasz and Andrew Ditchman were crucial in securing the victory. It was Jesuit’s fifth Class AA State Championship.”
Sports Information Director Brian Henry commented how, “It was very rewarding seeing the hard work of the season pay off with a state championship. The guys were playing so well at the end of the season, and even when The Woodlands went ahead in the first quarter of the title game, you could tell the boys did not panic. They listened to their coaches and did what they had to do to win the school’s fifth state championship. And then to see the emotion on their faces as they hugged one another in celebration, and to share that excitement with their brothers in the stands, was so special.”
“This team never stopped believing in each other. From the beginning of the playoffs, everyone bought into doing whatever it took to win, and ending the season with a state championship makes all the hard work worth it.” – Gabriel James ’26
Looking Ahead
While this year’s championship run marked another historic chapter for Jesuit Dallas lacrosse, it also signals the close of an era for a senior class that helped continue the program’s excellence. Leaders such as Offensive MVP David Atwell, Championship MVP Jack Steinbach, Defensive MVP Gabriel James, Andrew Ditchman, and several other seniors leave behind a legacy built on leadership, dedication, and postseason drive.
Their departures will create challenges for next season, but Jesuit’s recent history suggests the program is well positioned for continued success. Under the leadership of Coach Surran, the Rangers have consistently developed younger players and maintained one of the strongest lacrosse cultures in Texas. With state semifinal appearances in 10 of the last 12 seasons and five state championships overall, Jesuit has established itself as a program where expectations remain high every year.
The returning group will now have the opportunity to build on this season’s momentum while embracing larger leadership roles both on and off the field. As another talented group prepares to step up, the future of Jesuit lacrosse remains bright, with the Rangers once again expected to compete among the state’s elite programs.
“Underdogs got to eat too.” – Jack Steinbach ’26
Stay tuned into The Roundup for next year’s Jesuit lacrosse coverage!
Featured Image Credit: Francis Celii (@francissports_cpi & @jcplacrosse on Instagram)
