We are officially back in the most spirited time of the year: football season. The Jesuit Rangers football team has served as a staple in the Jesuit community for many years, and has been a source of common investment from all community members. On August 30, 2024, the team officially kicked off their season with aspirations of a deep playoff run for the first time since 2019. This year the captains adopted the motto, “Why not us?” in hopes to inspire the team to achieve such a feat. This dream, however, started off a bit rocky with a 48-31 home loss against a beatable Hebron team, a team looking to repeat their success found in the season opener of last night.
Offense
The Rangers opened the year boldly, utilizing a cannon of an arm from wide receiver Jaeger Krauss ‘25 on a fake screen pass, Krauss hitting Jack Yeskie ‘25 wide open for an 87-yard passing touchdown, matching the opening score of Hebron. Unable to replicate the initial success, however, the Rangers had a 3-and-out the next drive on three straight incomplete passes, and then an interception from Charlie Peters ‘25. On their next drive, helped with a pass interference call, they strung together big runs capped with a shifty run from Henry Bourret ’25 to score the Rangers six.
As the Rangers were hoping to pull momentum, receiver Jack Yeskie sustained an injury, producing a long break for both teams as medical professionals attended to Yeskie. Seemingly and understandably shaken up by the serious injury to a vital piece of their offense, the Rangers failed to put up any points to end the half.
To open the second half, Jesuit pieced together a solid drive working their way downfield, culminating in baseball standout returning to football, Shane Parker ‘26, catching a pass from Peters for the touchdown. Keeping the momentum, Jesuit scored in just one play the next drive, Peters connecting to Krauss on a 36-yard dime.
After the touchdown, the Rangers struggled to score, sustaining another 3-and-out the next drive and then Peters throwing a 52-yard pick six, what seemed like the nail in the coffin. Will Naughton ‘25 was able to lead a drive downfield to score a field goal near the end of the game, however, it was too little too late.
“Looking over the film, there were a lot of good things we did on certain plays. The energy on the sidelines was exactly how we wanted it. We just lacked execution on the little things: blocking full effort on the backside, wide receiver blocking, and running routes full speed as far as the offense goes. The little things like that are what the leaders of the team need to harp on this week to take care of business in NOLA.” -Captain Michael Martin ’25
Overall the offense, despite some very impressive drives, struggled a bit. Peters only completed eight passes for 100 yards. The offense as a whole reached a net total rushing of 98-yards. The uncertain loss of Yeskie and temporary loss of Martin certainly did not help matters. Four touchdowns and a field goal drive is nothing to scoff at by any means, however there was hope of more left unseen.
Defense
Jesuit struggled early on defense, allowing Hebron to score 28 points in the first half. Overall it was a combination of mistakes from the Rangers, but more importantly a dominant showing from the Hawks. A big weakness for the Rangers was shown through the run game, allowing 316 rushing yards. One touchdown drive for the Hawks consisted of only runs. There was no super big break away run to score, but rather run after run grinding the Rangers down.
“it is just a bunch of mistakes. Hebron looked really good. They weren’t just good athletes, but the reason I think they bit us was they made zero mistakes and we just have to eliminate those.”- Captain Cade Gill ’25
Because of the pressure to stop the run, Hebron could catch the Rangers off guard, able to grab large gains in big passes to open receivers several times.
“I felt like the effort was there. It was just a lot of mistakes that can’t happen.” -Captain Robert Prager ’25
Jesuit was able to pull together some solid defensive drives that stopped the Hawks, however most of the drives ended in a Hebron score. The defense does not have to be very impressive this year to go far with a great offense. Despite this, the defense really can be great this year, pairing the two sides together very well. Ultimately though, both sides have to work well together to build momentum off of each other, and the offense and defense just could not get hot at the right times together.
“We have alot of season left so I am excited to see where this team ends up.” -Cooper Smith ’25
Special Teams
A huge positive from the night was the special teams units. Noah McGough ‘25 went 4/4 on extra points and hit a 29-yard field goal as the game winded down. He also went 6-6 on kickoff touchbacks.
Perhaps the biggest potential upside of the team is the return unit. Jesuit’s return team is dangerous this year. During the game four different players returned the ball: Jaeger Krauss, Shane Parker, Blake Bodnar ‘25, and Jake Fults ‘25, each stacking one impressive return after the next. Krauss held the longest kick return of the night, returning for 49 yards. The statistics do not tell the whole story though as Parker’s shiftiness was mesmerizing to watch, breaking and juking many tackles in every return. The return unit’s elusiveness, combined with great physicality, will prove very helpful for the team this year. I predict at least one return touchdown before district play starts.
“Overall the effort and energy of the team was great and although the game obviously didn’t go our way, we will use it as a lesson for the season ahead of us. We still have full faith that we can accomplish our goals and we are going into each week with a chip on our shoulder.” -Captain Jaeger Krauss ’25
Other Notes
Despite an early loss in a winnable game, there are many positives to watch for. Plagued by injuries last year, much of the offense has valuable game experience. Although the count is six “official” returning starters by captains’ count, many more players, especially receivers, earned starts and serious minutes when others went down. That chemistry, especially with Peters in year two under center, should prove very valuable as the year goes on.
In addition to the key pieces returning from last year, there are some new faces who look promising. On the offensive side of the ball juniors Beck Berry ‘26 and Shane Parker both look like great options for Peters to throw the ball too, adding more depth to an already very impressive list of pass catchers, and will make great substitutions for the time Yeskie is out. On the defensive side, juniors Parker Sherman, Gabe James, and Tanner Krug had good outings, with Sherman and James both etching seven tackles as well as James and Krug adding a sack each.
The last point I will hit on a list that could include many things is the reliability of the special teams unit. Jesuit achieved the statistical best special teams unit in all of Texas football last year, making 17 field-goals and scoring 96 points. And the big three all return again. The lethal trio of long snapper Phoenix Derichsweiler ‘25, holder Jaeger Krauss, and kicker Noah McGough will remain consistent and dependable as the year progresses. While hopefully, they do not break the Jesuit record again because of a great offense, it is relieving knowing that once the team reaches the 30-yard line, it is almost guaranteed points.
Looking Ahead
This week the Rangers will travel to New Orleans to play Jesuit NOLA for the first time since 2000. A common opponent in sports such as lacrosse and rugby, the Rangers know they can find community with our Jesuit brothers in Louisiana. Kickoff is set for 6:00p.m., and for those that cannot make the drive, a live stream will be available.
“Being 0-1 doesn’t define us. It’s what we do after we’re 0-1 that defines us.” -Luke Cutler ’26
Stay tuned to The Roundup for more football coverage!
