The Football Tradition of the Catholic League in
1997
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Jays manhandle archrival Tigers By Dan De Leo, Staff writer Game date: Friday, September 26, 1997 So much for the 75th anniversary pleasantries. Jesuit took little merch on its most enduring rival, Holy Cross, on Friday night at Tad Gormley Stadium, defeating the Tigers, 42-0 in both schools’ District 9-5A opener. After pregame festivities honoring both school’s past players frpom decades recent and long ago, Jesuit scored the Blue Jays’ 44th victory in the rivalry’s 78th meeting (the two met twice in the postseason.) “It’s a big game, opening district, and it feels great,” said Jesuit quarterback Lance Hecker, who threw three touchdown passes. “Coaches put in the right plays and we executed We jelled.” Jesuit (4-0) piled up 350 yards of offense. Running back Brandt Hocke rushed for 143 yards on 13 carries. And the defense was formidable, holding the Tigers (1-3) to 58 total yards and five first downs. “That was the best I’ve seen Jesuit play,” Holy Cross coach George Scheaffer said, “We were outmanned, outplayed and obviously outcoached. Now that’s two butt-kickings in a row for us.” Jesuit plays St. Augustine next, who Jays coach Jay Pittman described as “the best kept secret in district. Holy Cross plays its next best rival, Chalmette. Jesuit playing conservatively in the second half with a 35-0 lead, scored for the fifth and final time after a Holy Cross fumble. Trey Snow ran it in for a 3-yard score. But the game was long over by then. Jesuit’s defense smothered the Tigers in the first half, allowing just 8 yards offense. The only first downs for Holy Cross came via Jesuit penalties and quarterback Kevin Preau, badgered in the pocket all game and did not complete a pass. On the Jays’ final scoring drive of the half, they took advantage of a botched Holy Cross punt attempt to gain field position at the Tigers’ 36. Five plays later, the Jays scored on a 5-yard run by Gerald Discon. Hocke had three carries for 28 yards to set up the score. Jeffrey kicked his fifth extra point of the half to give Jesuit a 35-0 lead. Another punt attempt by the Tigers led to a Jays score. Pushed back to their 28, the Tigers were forced to punt, and a high snap spiraled over Chris Coombs’ head. The Blue Jays Brett Wynne fell on it in the end zone to pad the score to 21-0. Jesuit used its running attack to set up a proficient passing game by Hecker, who was 6-of-10 for Yards. He completed two passes to Robbie Craft, a 50-yarder on a timing pattern and a -yarder to beat man-to-man coverage. Hecker’s other touchdown pass was to Jason Shields, a 5-yarder to open the scoring.
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