This past Thursday, the boys in blue travelled out to Forester Stadium to take on the Skyline Raiders. The JV Rangers were looking to upset Skyline, a team the JV has yet to beat in past years. Despite lacking a winning history against the Raiders, the boys in blue came into the game with confidence with a 46-22 win.
Jordan Odulio ’17 recounted, “Our overall game plan going into the game was to play hard and hit them first,” causing the Rangers to gain the leverage they needed to hold their own against the power house of the Raiders.
Taking the field, the boys in blue had to make sure that they were focused in order to face the battle ahead. Once the game kicked off, the Rangers looked strong in their defense against the ruthless Raider offense, eventually holding them to bring the Jesuit offense out onto the field. Early on, the Ranger offense executed a speedy strike, with Eric Miller ’17 running the ball in for the first touchdown. But, the unrelenting press from Skyline’s defense eventually unsettled the Jesuit offense, causing a turnover. A few more turnovers by the offense happened throughout the first quarter, while the Ranger defense played well enough to make time for the offense to rest and regroup. The defense’s energy eventually woke up the offense, resulting in a Jesuit touchdown. But, the Raiders also managed to score as well, but in missing their extra point opportunity, Jesuit held a 7-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Going into the second quarter, both teams were ready for the battle to continue. A back and forth battle occurred between the teams, both on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Jordan Odulio ’17 stated, “I think the other team had the same game plan,” resulting in a well matched second quarter. Although the Ranger defense was holding them, the Raiders offense slipped past them and ran it in for the score. Shortly after, the Jesuit offense responded and after making a hard, long drive down the field, secured the goal. Shortly after though, the Rangers missed an extra point opportunity, causing the score going into the half to be 15-14, Skyline on top.
With the score so close going into the half, the boys in blue knew that if they could just keep their composure and get a leg up on Skyline, then the opportunity for the win might reveal itself. The third quarter started off with a great kick return by Jesuit, setting them up on the Raider’s 35 yard line. This stellar field position led to a quick Ranger touchdown. Again, the teams were pretty evenly matched, with one or the other trading turns back and forth in scoring. Along with the Jesuit offense gaining confidence throughout the third quarter, the defense still managed to hold Skyline at bay, when they could. The quarter eventually ended 29-22, in Jesuit’s favor.
The Rangers came into the fourth quarter ready to utilize their slight lead. Almost like the flip of a switch, the Ranger offense started to make multiple power drives down field, increasing the Jesuit lead even further. But once the fire started, Skyline couldn’t extinguish it. A pic six by Zach Harry ’18 started a rally that the Rangers wouldn’t stop for the rest of the game. Although the Ranger offense wasn’t playing to the best of their ability, the forced turnovers caused by the Jesuit defense meant the beginning of the end for the Raiders. Anderson concluded that “our defense played [unbelievably,]” evident in their ability to hold back the ravenous Raider offense. Odulio also concluded with stating, “overall, it was a very exciting game.” With the combined force of the driving Ranger offense and a tenacious defense, the time eventually expired with Jesuit coming out on top, 46-22, bring the “W” home to the 28.
Honorable mentions go out to all of the athletes who scored in the game, Eric Miller ’17, Grayson Hassell ’18, Alek McGlone ’18, Joey Preboy ’18, Zach Harry ’18, and Sean Maguire ’18. This truly outlined an important win for the boys blue because this is the “first time that JV has ever beaten Skyline,” remarks Anderson, an achievement well deserved by the team.
The Rangers look to play off this high going into their next game against the Irving Tigers, so come out to Postell Stadium to support your favorite boys in blue.
