Quarterback Bo Schneider ’15 receives the snap, shuffles his feet, and scans the field for an open receiver. The crowd noise is deafening, yet Bo manages to maintain his composure and locks onto his target, Garrett Amy ‘15 sprinting down the field. Bo fires the football, and Garrett leaps into the air with his hands stretched over the defender’s helmet. Touchdown Jesuit Rangers!
Remembering this scene from last year, Jesuit hopes to emulate these successful plays in the coming season. The arrival of the 2014-2015 season brings a new mentality and game plan to the field. This year, as a result of University Interscholastic League (UIL), high schools across the metroplex are witnessing changes to their districts. For some schools, their long time rivals have been moved to new districts. Others, like Jesuit have managed to keep almost an identical schedule.
All Jesuit related athletics have been moved up to level 6A, and with this increase in competition, Jesuit football will be one of eight, challenging competitors in district 9. These schools, which include last years competitors Dallas Skyline (11 wins – 2 losses), Dallas Sunset (0 wins – 10 losses), and W.T. White (1 win – 9 losses) will be joined with new schools Carrolton Turner (0 wins – 10 losses), Irving (6 wins – 5 losses), Irving MacArthur (3 wins – 7 losses), and Irving Nimitz (4 wins – 6 losses).
During their regular season last year, Jesuit finished with an outstanding record of six wins and one loss. They continued this impressive journey into the semifinal rounds of playoffs, ending with a final record of nine wins and four losses.
With high hopes and a confident group of upperclassmen leading the way, Jesuit plans to overcome the competition. Varsity Head Coach Brandon Hickman says that “our biggest opponent is Dallas Skyline,” and he hopes that the team will “play together as one and play hard each week.” Echoing Coach Hickman, Offensive Coordinator Jonathan Short adds that “our seniors chose Unfinished Business as this season motto because they weren’t satisfied with how last season ended. Their goal is to battle for a District Championship, return to the playoffs, and get past where our season ended last year.” With fire in their stomachs and determined to “take Ranger football to a new level,” the Jesuit football team returns for another season of heart-stopping, action-packed, Texas football.