GAME INFORMATION
Jesuit Dallas (3-1) at Sunset (1-3)
Sept. 24, 2015 - 7 p.m. - Sprague Stadium
Live Stats
Live Video
Live Audio (Web)
Live Audio (Mobile)
Game Notes
Game Preview with Head Coach Brandon Hickman
*Game can also be accessed on local radio at 95.3 KHYI FM
Dominant Opening Half Leads Rangers Past Crusaders: Closing out the non-district schedule in definitive fashion, Jesuit Dallas opened with 38 unanswered points to upend Houston Strake Jesuit, 38-27, on Sept. 11. Senior Adam Holtz led a determined Ranger ground game, recording 128 yards on 18 carries, averaging 7.0 yards per touch. Junior Jacob Palisch threw for 144 yards and three touchdowns, including a 63-yard strike to senior Rusty Landon in the third quarter that essentially clinched the game. Senior Connor Lanpher nabbed a pair of touchdown passes, as senior Max Loughborough added 99 all-purpose yards, including three receptions for 44 yards while also running for 45 yards and a touchdown.
Rangers Cool Under Pressure: Jesuit has opened the season on an unprecedented roll in situational football, converting on 53.4% percent of third-downs (22-of-41) while proving successful on all fourth down situations (5-for-5). In addition, the Rangers have only committed 12 penalties for 109 yards, compared to 24 penalties by opponents for a total of 219 yards. Jesuit is also 15-of-15 in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on every trip inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
Mad Max Making Major Moves: Senior wide receiver Max Loughborough has been a key dual threat for the Rangers through three games, rushing for three touchdowns while also snagging nine receptions for 96 yards. In the season opener against Arlington Bowie, Loughborough carried the ball nine times for 16 yards, logging a pair of touchdown runs from inside the five-yard line. Against Strake Jesuit, the senior found the end zone again, totaling 45 yards on the grounds, while averaging 14.7 yards per reception on three catches.
Jake the Great: Throughout his first three starts as the Jesuit starting quarterback, junior Jacob Palisch has found success leading the Jesuit offense. Compiling 460 yards, a 65.6 percent completion percentage and five touchdowns through the air in addition to 140 net yards and two touchdowns on the ground, Palisch is firing on all cylinders heading into district play. The Ranger offensive line has played a key role in Palisch's success, yielding just a pair of sacks this season.
Defensive Lockdown: In both of Jesuit's wins this season, the Blue and Gold have been able to dynamically control its opponent's offense. Jesuit's impact on the ground game has been significant, as the team allowed only 96 rushing yards to Bowie and 122 to Strake Jesuit, while also limiting Arlington Bowie to only 14 yards through the air in the season opener. Additionally, the Rangers have collected 24 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and a pair of interceptions.
District Play Begins: Thursday's battle between the Rangers and Bison will signal the beginning of UIL District 9-6A play for both teams. During Jesuit head coach Brandon Hickman's tenure, the Rangers are 22-6 against district competition, including 11-3 in 9-6A. Jesuit has made the playoffs in all four seasons under Hickman and looks to improve upon a 5-2 district finish last year that helped the Rangers finish second behind 2014 state semi-finalist and nationally-ranked top 10 Skyline.
Scounting the Bison: Sunset enters Thursday's matchup looking for its first victory of the season and the first win since joining UIL District 9-6A. Most recently, Sunset, under the leadership of head coach Armando Gutierrez, fell to North Side, 26-8, on Sept. 11. Quarterback Fabian Rosas has been the squad's leading rusher, averaging 9.5 yards per attempt, totaling 152 yards and finding the end zone in the squad's last game against North Side.
Up Next: The Rangers welcome Skyline to Postell Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. clash on Oct. 2 that will be broadcast on tape delay locally by TX21. The Raiders, ranked No. 10 in the state and No. 4 in the area, are 2-1 heading into a Friday clash with Irving.
