Jesuit Dallas (5-1, 3-0 UIL 9-6A) at Nimitz (4-2, 2-1 UIL 9-6A)
Friday, Oct. 16 - 7:30 PM
Irving Schools Stadium
Game Preview with Coach Hickman
Game Notes
Live Stats
Live Audio (Web)
Live Audio (Mobile)
Rangers Keep Rolling: A decisive defensive effort led the Jesuit Dallas Rangers to their third shutout of the season, 50-0, over the Irving Tigers on Friday. The Ranger defense held the Tigers to 50 yards of total offense, 33 net rushing yards and caused a pair of turnovers, including a recovered fumble by Jack Metz and an interception by senior John Michael Priddy.  Seniors Nate Thompson and Peyton Long recorded five tackles each, while classmate Ryan Brooks scored a team-high three tackles for a loss of 14 yards. After punting on their opening series, the Rangers scored on eight consecutive drives en route to the victory. Jesuit Dallas finished the contest with 391 total yards, including 248 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Senior Adam Holtz found the end zone twice, finishing with 44 net yards, while sophomore Evan Jackson scored a touchdown while gaining a team-high 72 yards. Junior quarterback Jacob Palisch collected 54 yards and a rushing touchdown while passing for 143 yards and a pair of scores, one to senior Max Loughborough and the other to Rusty Landon.
Jesuit Dallas Stampede: The Ranger offense has dominated during the squad's five wins this season, outscoring opponents 199-48. On Friday, the Rangers matched a season-high in team rushing yardage, carrying the ball 44 times for 248 yards, tying the rushing output from the loss to Plano East on Sept. 4. Five different Rangers have led the team in rushing yardage throughout the current campaign, with seniors Adam Holtz, Max Loughborough and junior Jacob Palisch scoring four rushing touchdowns on the season while Loughborough (Aug. 28 vs. Bowie), Holtz (Oct. 9 vs. Irving) and junior Evan Jackson (Sept. 4 vs. Plano East) have tied for a single-game high two touchdowns. Senior Matt Smith has the longest touchdown run this season, striking from 19 yards out against Sunset on Sept. 24.
Eat, Sleep, Keep the Streak: Jesuit Dallas will return to Irving Schools Stadium on Friday with several streaks intact. The Rangers already own the best start in University Interscholastic League (UIL) play under Coach Hickman, as the 3-0 start has placed Jesuit Dallas in the driver's seat heading into the homestretch of the campaign. In addition, the Rangers' 5-1 start is the best since the 2012 squad that finished 9-3 overall, and a win on Friday will give Jesuit only its second five-game winning streak under the tutlage of Hickman, the other coming during the heart-stopping 2012 campaign.
Atop the Standings: Along with Jesuit Dallas' first place tie atop the 9-6A standings, the Rangers also lead the metroplex in total team defense. According to the most recent statistical leaderboards by the Dallas Morning News, the Rangers lead the area by only yielding 208.8 yards per game to opponents. The Jesuit Dallas pass defense has been dominant, allowing 92 yards on average while snagging six interceptions throughout the 2015 campaign.
Scouting Nimitz: The Vikings saw their three-game winning streak snapped by Skyline, 44-13, on Oct. 9, dropping Nimitz to 2-1 in the district after opening the UIL 9-6A slate with dominant wins over R.L. Turner (52-7, Sept. 24) and Sunset (4-0, Oct. 1). Friday's loss was only the second time that Nimitz has been held under 30 points this season, with both occurances resulting in losses. Runningback Mark Eugene ranks inside the Area Top 20 in net yardage, scoring nine touchdowns on 84 carries and 637 yards to rank 17th, while the Viking defense ranks sixth in the area, allowing only 255.3 yards per game.
Battle for the Saddle Arrives to Postell: After taking two weeks away from Postell Stadium, the Rangers will return home for senior night, where the annual "Battle for the Saddle" will take place against the W.T. White Longhorns at 7:30 p.m. In two weeks, the Rangers will return to Irving Schools Stadium for the final time this season to battle the MacArthur Cardinals on Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m. before closing out the regular season at home against R.L. Turner on Nov. 6 for homecoming.
