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Right from the opening kickoff, Jesuit controlled every facet of its UIL Bi-District Playoff game against J.J. Pearce, played in front of a home crowd at Postell Stadium Friday. Max Loughborough's 73-yard kickoff return set up a 1-yard touchdown run, and Jesuit had a 7-0 lead just 15 seconds into the game. A few hours later, Jesuit had secured its third straight UIL Bi-District trophy, and advanced to play Rockwall in the Area Round for the second year in a row.
Loughborough's early TD was immediately followed by a shut-down defensive performance, as Jesuit forced the Mustangs to punt after just four plays. On Jesuit's second drive, Bo Schneider hit Charlie Eikenberg for an 85-yard strike, and less than two minutes into the game Jesuit led 14-0. The Rangers would add a field goal and another touchdown before the end of the first quarter, and the early onslaught held up through the contest.
Loughborough scored three touchdowns in the game, two on the ground and one through the air. Eikenberg had two of his own, finishing the night with 115 yards on three catches. Senior Matt Slovak also scored twice, as he registered 119 yards on the ground on 14 carries. The Rangers also had a touchdown from senior Peter Lynch, while junior kicker John Wengierski went 7-for-7 on PATs in addition to his 30-yard field goal in the first quarter.
"I'm very proud of our team, and I'm really excited for our seniors who got to win a Bi-District Championships on their home field," head coach Brandon Hickman said after the game. "This time of year is all about momentum, and our boys were focused and prepared well all week.  It really showed  in all phases of the game tonight."
Schneider was 10-18 at the helm, totaling 236 yards and 14 TDs. The UCF-bound senior leads the area with 42 touchdown passes this year, and Friday's totals put him at 3,023 passing yards on the season, good enough for fourth in the area. Schneider has also thrown just four interceptions, fewest of any quarterback with more than 200 attempts.
Jesuit's defensive effort was certainly not lost in the shuffle. Seven points matches the lowest opponent point total of the season, despite Pearce's strong offense led by quarterback Hank Hughes, who was held to 9-of-30 passing and just one yard rushing. Senior captain Taylor Stine led the defensive line up front, while Zack Walker, Peyton Long, and Josh Cummings boosted the secondary. Each was recognized as a Player of the Week.
The Rangers will advance to the Area Round for the third consecutive season, and for the fourth time in UIL play. Jesuit has reached the playoffs eight times in its 11 seasons of UIL competition. The second round game against Rockwall will take place Saturday, November 22, at Wylie High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on KXEZ 92.1 FM andwww.jesuitrangerfootball.com.
