The Rangers didn’t have to travel far as they visited neighbor W.T. White for the annual “Battle for the Saddle” rivalry game, beating the Longhorns 66-27 to clinch a second straight district title.
Jesuit (6-3, 6-0) scored the first 28 points of the game, propelled by an 11-13, 309 yard, and 3 touchdown performance from quarterback Jacob Palisch ‘17 and John Wunderlick’s ‘17 131 net yards and two touchdowns on 13 touches.
The defense also turned in a strong performance, forcing 5 fumbles and holding W.T. White (2-7, 1-5) to 271 yards as the Rangers won their sixth straight, sealing back-to-back UIL district 9-6A championships in the process.
During the week leading up to the matchup, the Postell Stadium scoreboard read “ATTN TO DETAIL,” which defensive end Jordan Rice ‘17 commented, “meant that we needed to focus on the little things in practice, such as playing fast, not dropping passes, and tackling. We knew we could beat WT White,” he said. “It was just about us playing like every other game and staying focused and not beating ourselves.”
Palisch echoed this focus, saying, “we, as a team, have to focus more and more each week on the little things, the details, so they don’t grow into big problems, especially through the rest of the season and into the postseason.”
The Rangers started strong, scoring the game’s first 28 points including an 85 yard touchdown pass from Palisch to receiver Connor Jackson ‘17 on the game’s first play from scrimmage. After forcing a three-and-out, Wunderlick and running back Evan Jackson ‘17 combined for 59 yards on the next drive as Wunderlick rushed for a 17-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 14-0. The defense continued their strong play, as Rice forced a fumble, recovered by linebacker Michael Schoettmer ‘17 to give the Rangers possession at the 27-yard line, setting up a Wunderlick 31-yard touchdown catch.
W.T. White’s offense continued to falter against the Ranger pass rush, as cornerback Pierce strong forced a fumble on the Jesuit 2-yard line. This turnover was followed by an 89-yard scoring strike from Palisch to wideout Fletcher Rosenbleeth ‘18 to put the Rangers up by four scores.
The Longhorns scored their first points of the game to start the second quarter, but the Rangers answered as Palisch found receiver Jack Tabor ‘18 for 29 yards before running it in himself from the two. After the defense forced another 3-and-out, Evan Jackson broke away for a 28-yard touchdown.
The teams again traded scores as W.T. White passed for a touchdown, but missed the point after, before Jackson punched in a 1-yard run. With under a minute remaining in the half, the Rangers surprised White’s return squad with an onside kick, recovering the kick and moving the ball to the Longhorn 21, before Israel Ollarzabal ‘18 booted a 38-yard field goal to end the half.
Carrying a 39-point lead into the second half, the Rangers pounded the ground game, as Hank Clements ‘18 rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown and quarterback Parker Towns ‘18 completed his only pass attempt for an 8-yard touchdown to Grayson Hassell ‘18, en route to a fourth consecutive 50-point performance, a 66-27 victory that kept the Rangers undefeated in district play.
On the key to defeating W.T. White, Palisch said, “I think it was really all the focus and attention to details that we harped on all week… We play the game not the opponent. So when we came out, all the hard work came together; the offensive line had a great push up front, our running backs did a great job of selling the run, and then our receivers ran sharp routes, which all came together for success.”
Coach Brandon Hickman praised the team’s preparation. “Our guys have done a great job staying focused and winning the play or rep in practice. When we prepare each week with great energy and focus that gives our team a better chance to win on Friday.”
“We are continuing to focus on improving each week in all three phases of the game,” Hickman continued. “We want to be clicking heading into postseason play. Our team has improved weekly and I feel good about competing at a high level in the playoffs because our kids are hungry and have worked very hard this season. I’m very proud of our players and coaches now it’s time to finish regular season play and have some fun in the playoffs.”
“Coach tells us every week not to get complacent, to “stay hungry,” so that we continue our success,” said Palisch. “We can’t think ahead, we have to take everything one play at a time because nothing’s really guaranteed at this point.”
Looking forward, Rice stressed a one-game-at-a-time mentality: “We need to focus on beating Berkner and becoming the Undefeated District Champs and take that momentum into playoffs. And in the playoffs we just need to focus on the teams we play that week. We can’t look ahead, just have to focus on the team we play that week and the rest will take care of itself.”
With the win, Jesuit clinched first place in their district and the first seed for the Division II bracket, setting up a bi-district round matchup with the second DII seed in district 10-6A, the loser of the Garland Naaman Forest and Garland Lakeview game this Friday. The Rangers end their regular season on Friday, taking on Richardson Berkner for their Homecoming game.
Photos by Jowdy Photography
