Late Touchdown, Interception Seals Jesuit Dallas Victory
A pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes from senior Parker Towns to junior Jack Hajdu provided the difference for Jesuit Dallas in a 35-31 victory over Skyline on Oct. 12 at Forester Field. In another instant classic between the two long-time district rivals, Jesuit outlasted a determined Skyline offense with several critical defensive plays. Sophomore Jack Barton posted a team-leading 10 tackles, and a game-sealing interception by sophomore E.J. Smith send Jesuit to its second straight victory. Towns finished the game completing 25-of-33 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns. Smith added a pair of rushing touchdowns, finishing the game with 92 yards. Junior Matthew Priddy closed the scoring for Jesuit with 40 yards and a touchdown. Senior Fletcher Rosenbleeth impressed yet again with 12 catches for 168 yards. Defensively, senior Cade Brewer forced a fumble while classmates Nicky Prendergast and Phillip Villalba each recorded two tackles for loss.
Kings of the Metroplex
Several members of the Jesuit Dallas offense enter the fourth week of district play among the top offensive threats in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Junior Parker Towns ranks first in the area in passing with 1,799 yards. Towns also has an area-leading 150 pass completionst. Senior Fletcher Rosenbieeth ranks second in receiving with 816 yards and sophomore E.J. Smith is currently tied with Arlington Martin's Juma Otoviano for the second-highest scoring total in the Metroplex.With 542 yards per game to their credit, Jesuit Dallas currently leads the Metroplex in total offense, besting second-place Mesquite John Horn by over 60 yards per game.
Defense Rapidly Catching Stride
Friday's win against Skyline was clinched after several critical plays by the Jesuit Dallas defense. Sophomore Jack Barton concluded his season-high 10-tackle performance with a shoestring tackle of Skyline junior quarterback Velton Gardner, who had already scored three times in the contest. Barton's tackle total is the highest by a Jesuit defender this season, and set the stage for sophomore E.J. Smith's dramatic, game-sealing interception. In addition, senior Cade Brewer stripped Skyline of the ball late in the fourth, providing the opportunity for Jesuit to take the lead on Hajdu's second touchdown reception of the game.
Last Time They Met…
The Rangers and J.J. Pearce combined for 1,192 yards of offense and 126 points, but a third quarter swing by the Rangers and a historic offensive performance led to a 74-52 win on Oct. 14 at Postell Stadium. The Rangers scored the most points in program history during the win, besting the previous record of 71 obtained against W.T. White during the 2013 season. Jesuit recorded 670 total yards of offense, the most since November 15, 2013 against Plano East, adding 413 yards on the ground. Senior Evan Jackson scored five total touchdowns and Jacob Palisch completed 13-of-21 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns, adding 111 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. John Wunderlick completed the trio of Ranger runners above the century mark in rushing yards, recording 135 net yards and a rushing touchdown. Defensively, Pierce Strong and junior Hank Bitterman each snagged an interception, senior Billy Daly made 10 total tackles to lead the squad while Jack Metz '17 recorded seven tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss.
Efficient Offense Vaults J.J. Pearce Past Berkner
Mustang quarterback Bo Brewer posted a 14-for-14 night behind center, throwing a pair of touchdowns as J.J. Pearce earned a decisive, 52-6 win over Berkner on Oct. 13. The Mustangs dominated the Rams on both sides of the ball, shutting out Berkner in the first three quarters while scoring 49 points in the first half. Brewer completed touchdown passes of 10- and 45-yards in the first half and scored a five-yard rushing touchdown of his own before sitting in the second half. Pearce averaged 7.5 yards per rush and 13.8 yards per pass in the game, limiting Berkner to 4.5 yards per carry.
Thunder, Lightning Spark Mustang Rushing Game
The running back tandem of sophomore DeQuan Landon and senior Bo Garner have provided a charge to the Mustang offense this season, helping J.J. Pearce balance an offense that compliments its impressive defense. Serving as the primary back, Landon currently ranks second in the district with 872 yards and nine touchdowns, four of which have been recorded in the last three weeks. In district play, Landon has averaged 9.32 yards per carry and has averaged 164 yards per game. Fullback Gardner excelled last week in the red zone, scoring three touchdowns within the 10-yard line to push Pearce to the victory against Berkner.
Hold the Door!
During the first three weeks of district competition, J.J. Pearce has excelled defensively, limiting league foes to a district-best 18.3 points per game. The Mustang pass defense dominated against Berkner, holding the Rams to 84 yards passing while snagging three interceptions and forcing a fumble. Last Friday's performance marked the third time this season that the Mustangs have held an opponent to 21 points or less, and J.J. Pearce currently holds a +4 turnover differential against district foes.
Series History
Jesuit Dallas has won four consecutive matchups against J.J. Pearce dating back to the 2012 season. The Rangers are 3-2-0 against the Mustangs in the regular season and won a postseason bout in 2014. J.J. Pearce's last win over Jesuit came in the 2005 season in a 31-21 decision. The Rangers have won the last four games by an average of 38 points per game.
Up Next…
Jesuit Dallas will return to Postell Stadium to close the 2017 home schedule against Lake Highlands and W.T. White. The Rangers and Wildcats will battle on Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the team's annual homecoming contest before the "Battle for the Saddle" punctuates senior night on Nov. 3.
