A statement-making effort filled with determination and unyielding fervor fell one play short on Friday night as Jesuit Dallas pushed the reigning University Interscholastic League (UIL) Division II-6A Champion DeSoto to the limit on Friday night at Postell Stadium. The Eagles would edge the Rangers, 41-36, but Jesuit emerged with momentum after an incredible second half that saw the Blue and Gold out-score the reigning champs, 30-20, coming within 20 yards of stunning the Metroplex.
           
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
Sophomore E.J. Smith ended the contest with 134 all-purpose yards, three rushing touchdowns and a touchdown reception, capping his evening with a highlight-reel, 26-yard reception that positioned Jesuit within the DeSoto red zone with less than a minute left to go in the fourth. Senior Parker Towns completed 37-of-57 passes for 394 yards and two touchdowns, finding junior Nick Hafertepe for a touchdown in the second quarter to open the scoring for Jesuit.
 
With 1:09 remaining in the fourth, DeSoto aimed to run out the clock and secure a season-opening win. But sophomore Mitchell Campbell stripped Eagles quarterback Courtney Douglas, causing a fumble recovered by junior Jacob Jowdy to give Jesuit a last gasp for the win. Campbell would finish with four tackles and two forced fumbles, both of which were recovered by Jesuit. Senior Phillip Villalba recovered a fumble in the third quarter that resulted in a Jesuit touchdown.
 
Senior Fletcher Rosenbleeth caught 13 receptions for 178 yards. Junior Matthew Priddy fought in the trenches for 95 net yards on 21 carries. Fellow third year William Woodard added two tackles for loss, while sophomore Tommy Roy made three tackles, a tackle for loss and pass breakup.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
 

• Jesuit averaged 3.96 yards per carry and 10.6 yards per pass completion while converting 9-of-19 third down opportunities. One key component was a stellar effort from the offensive line. All five starters on the offensive line, Colin Johns, Connor Curreri, Wyatt Hummel, Branson Hickman and David Morales, logged their first varsity start on Friday.
   
• Smith's four all-purpose touchdowns are the most in a single game since Jesuit graduate and current Brown University football player Evan Jackson '17 scored four rushing touchdowns in a win over J.J. Pearce (Oct. 14, 2016).
   
• The 394-yard performance by Towns is a career-high and the highest single-game passing total for a Jesuit quarterback since Bo Schneider '15 completed 29-of-52 passes for 469 yards and three touchdowns in a UIL Area Round setback to Rockwall (Nov. 22, 2015).
   
• The Ranger defense held DeSoto to 1-of-6 on third down opportunities and only 390 yards of offense compared to the 584 yards posted by the Jesuit offense. Senior Nicky Prendergast and Villalba recorded sacks, while junior Will Woodard recorded a safety in the fourth quarter.
   
• Towns' 26-yard touchdown pass to Hafertepe marks the first time since in four seasons that Jesuit's first touchdown of the season has been through the air. Schneider found classmate Garrett Amy '15 from 54 yards out in Jesuit's 2014 season opener against Arlington Bowie on Aug. 29, 2014.

UP NEXT

Jesuit Dallas will next take on Plano East on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. as part of the Cotton Bowl Showcase in Fair Park, Texas.