The Jesuit Blue Jays Win the 100th Game in this storied series 20-14·
We were present (naturally) for this really thrilling game with some good (old) friends. The tailgating experience is growing bigger and better every year. We sampled some delicious Cajun Vietnamese delicacies. You should have been there! (if you weren't).
This particular game was worthy of its name. Really, really good! The teams were evenly matched. Both quarterbacks played outstanding football. Defense was tenacious on both sides. We copied the story (below) from Will Peneguy of the Advocate/Times Picayune from Saturday morning. Great story; however, it can't capture the excitement of actually being there.
The Jesuit offense couldn't get it going in the second half. The Tigers came alive and got the game tied at 14-14. Then Jesuit was able to go ahead 20-14 with about two minutes remaining. Virtually all of the sixteen (!) thousand fans present expected the Tigers to march down the field and get the winning TD with their potent passing attack; however, Quarterback Wooton had the ball knocked loose and the Jays fell on it, cinching the victory.
We may have more to add later if there are any more published news reports. The Advocate/T-P story is here:
GROUND ATTACK
Jordan's feet carry Jesuit past Holy Cross
By Will Penegay
Contributing writer
Quarterback Grant Jordan expertly led Jesuit 70 yards in the final four minutes, then scored the game-winning touchdown as Jesuit defeated Holy Cross, 20-14 on Friday night in a District 9 5A game at Tad Gormley Stadium.
Jesuit's defense closed the 100th meeting between the two schools with a sack that led to a fumble by Holy Cross quarterback John Wade Wooton and a Jesuit recovery . Sonny Hazard tackled Wooton, knocking the ball free and Max Jubenville recovering for the Jays.
The game is part of the national Great American Rivalry Series. Jesuit (3-2, 1-1) now leads the series, which began in 1922, 58-40-1. The 1937 game was played, but declared no contest by the LHSAA.
Jordan, who was named the game's Most Valuable Player, was responsible for all three Jesuit touchdowns and produced 280 yards of total offense. The game-winner was a 6-yard effort right up the middle in heavy traffic.
After Holy Cross (3-2, 1-1) stormed back from a 14-0 halftime deficit to tie the game at 14 at the end of the third quarter, Jordan took over with his running in the final quarter, gaining 136 yards on 21 carries.
Jesuit's final drive began with four minutes remaining at their own 30. Jordan produced 61 of the final 70 yards all on the ground. He began the decisive drive with a 30-yard run and then gained another 14 yards on a critical third-and-eight run at midfield.
With less than two minutes left and facing another critical third and long, Jordan found Luke Bash tucked in along the sideline for a 19-yard gain to the Tigers' 6-yard line.
Jesuit's defense and passing attack flexed enough muscle for the Jays to enjoy a 14-0 lead by halftime. Jordan threw a pair of touchdown passes and threw for 122 yards in the opening two quarters, completing nine of 14 attempts.
Jesuit drove 72 yards on its first possession in seven snappy plays, scoring on a n 11-yard pass from Jordan to LaForge to take a 7-0 lead with 4:52 left in the opening quarter.
Jordan and LaForge connected on a 7-yard touchdown pass with less than four minutes left in the second quarter for a 14-0 lead. The 68-yard, 11-play march was kept alive at the Tigers' 26 yard-line when LaForge beat coverage in the middle on a fourth and nine play for 11 yards.
Holy Cross roared back in the third period with drives of 70 and 52 yards. A 42-yard pass from Wooton to Jalen Johnson set up a 5-yard touchdown pass to Alondre Wells.
The Tigers needed only two plays to score their other touchdown. Wooton, who threw for 244 yards while completing 16 of 24 passes, found Johnson for 43 yards and a touchdown.
Jesuit 20, Holy Cross 14
Team
Jesuit
Holy Cross
First Downs
17
14
Yards Rushing
143
77
Yards Passing
144
244
Passes (C-A-H) 11-21-0
17-24-0
Punts-avg.
5-29.2
7-40.3
Fumbles-lost
0-0
1-1
Penalties-yards
3-27
12-131
SCORING SUMMARY
Jesuit
7 7
0 6-20
Holy Cross
0 0
14
0-14
J:Luke LaForge 11 pass
from Grant
Jordan (Aiden Corbello kick)
J: LaForge 7 pass from Joerdan (Corbello kick)
HC: Alondre Wells 5 pass from John Wade
Wooton (Eli LaFrance kick)
HC: Jalen Johnson 43 pass from Wooton (LaFrance
kick)
J: Jordan 6 run (kick failed)