Jesuit Dallas rugby began the 2018 season with a 19-15 setback to Allen on Friday evening at Curtis Middle School. The Rangers battled valiantly under the leadership of new head coach Matthew Upton '02, but fell a few yards short of a stunning comeback in the waning moments of the contest.
 
Junior center Max Telfer was a key component for the Rangers, scoring a try en route to securing Man of the Match honors. Senior lock Alexander Kowalske and junior Niko Triantos added tries for Jesuit while juniors J.C. Erickson, Noah Villasana and Will Woodard made critical plays to place Jesuit into scoring position.
 
"Our defense and tackling let us down at times and Allen was great at capitalizing," Coach Upton commented. "The boys played with great heart, and we were the only team on the day really putting together phases and working through our offense."
 
The Rangers, trailing by four points, began to push down the field in the waning moments of the contest before the Eagles stopped Jesuit at the two-yard line as time expired to send the Rangers to the season-opening setback.
 
"Sometimes the ball does not roll your way when you are knocking the rust off against your first opponent of the year," continued Upton. "It is very exciting to see where this will go as we learn and grow from playing a good Allen team."
 
Jesuit Dallas will next take on St. Thomas at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3 in Houston, Texas.