Junior Jacob Palisch scored on an 18-yard run with 1:06 remaining in regulation and the Rangers trailing against mighty Skyline, providing the margin that would allow Jesuit to topple the Raiders, 24-21, on Friday evening. 

Lauded as the kings of University Interscholastic League (UIL) District 9-6A, Skyline (3-2, 1-1 UIL 9-6A) was ranked No. 10 in the state and No. 4 in the area heading into Friday's battle. A 2014 UIL State Semifinalist, Skyline had not dropped a district game since the 2008 season, a dominating 49 consecutive wins over district foes.  However, Jesuit Dallas (4-1, 2-0 UIL 9-6A) electrified the Ranger faithful, returning from 14-0 deficit in the second quarter to pick up the first win over Skyline under the tenure of head coach Brandon Hickman.

Palisch finished the game with 141 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns through the air to go along with his game-winning run on a third-and-eight.  Jesuit converted 9-of-17 third downs, 2-of-3 fourth downs while forcing a pair of crucial Skyline turnovers that pushed momentum soundly in the Rangers' favor.

Senior Max Loughborough racked up 79 net yards of offense, including a team-high 57 rushing yards, scoring the squad's first receiving touchdown of the night.  Classmate Connor Lanpher snagged five receptions for 69 yards, also finding the end zone. 

Junior Jordan Rice provided the first spark for Jesuit Dallas with a second quarter interception that began to tilt the field back towards the home team.  Senior John Michael Priddy led the squad with 11 tackles, followed closely by classmate Mac Elliott, who racked up 10.  Junior Jack Metz made five tackles, but had a major impact by blocking a Skyline field goal attempt at the conclusion of the second quarter.

Jesuit opened the game with the football, moving inside the Skyline 30-yard line before the Raiders forced a turnover on downs.  Skyline responded with a 12-play, 72-yard drive resulting in the first touchdown of the evening, spotting the Raiders an early, 7-0 advantage.  Skyline's second touchdown came with 8:03 left in the 2nd quarter, giving the visitors a 14-0 lead, highlighted by the Raiders converting their first five third-downs.

Rice tipped the second quarter scales in the Rangers' favor, knocking a pass from the Skyline quarterback into the air, bobbling the tip before securing the interception, storming his way inside the Raiders red zone to set the stage for the Blue and Gold.  After a Skyline defensive holding penalty put the ball on the Raiders eight-yard line, Palisch found Loughborough on a screen and the senior dove inside the left pylon to get the Blue and Gold on the scoreboard with 1:05 left in the half.

With seven seconds remaining in the second quarter, Skyline looked to take a 17-6 lead into halftime, but Jack Metz broke through the blocking line and got a hand on the football, giving the Rangers clear momentum heading into the second half.

Skyline's first drive of the third quarter was quickly snuffed out by the Ranger defense, spanning four plays and negative five yards.  A 20-yard field goal by senior John Wengierski sliced the lead to 14-9 with 4:25 remaining in the third. Senior Nate Thompson secured a fumble on a bad snap during the ensuing Skyline possession, giving the Rangers the ball near midfield. 

Palisch found Lanpher on a slant route, as the senior wide receiver fought Raider defenders all the way to pay-dirt, giving the Rangers their first lead of the game, forged by 17 unanswered points, with 1:32 on the third quarter clock.

The Raiders took the lead back with 15 seconds left in the third, holding the advantage until the 6:11 mark in the fourth.  On second and 14, a roughing the passer penalty put the Rangers into Skyline territory, followed a few plays later with a 13-yard run by senior Adam Holtz that put the Blue and Gold into the red zone.  On third and eight, Palish dropped back into the shotgun formation, saw a gap in the middle of the field, and took off into the end zone, sending the sideline and the Ranger faithful into a frenzy with 1:06 on the clock.

Skyline had 54 seconds to tie or take the lead, but saw two attempted passes fail to stop the clock.  Seniors Dane Bender and Mac Elliot drove wide receiver LaDavion Washington into the ground for a loss of four, forcing a fourth and seven from the Skyline 27-yard line, prompting the Raiders to take a timeout with 15 seconds on the clock.  Skyline's final hopes were dashed as a last-second prayer fell unanswered, sending the Rangers into the victory formation.

Jesuit will next take on Irving on Friday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. inside Irving Schools Stadium.