Two incredible defensive stops continued Jesuit's incredible run through the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Region 2-6A Playoffs as the Rangers toppled Klein Collins, 28-21, on Friday night at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas. Friday's win brings the Rangers into uncharted territory as the Jesuit Dallas football program is headed to the regional finals for the first time in program history against either Waco Midway or Spring Westfield.
 
Senior EJ Smith accounted for all four Jesuit Dallas touchdowns, including the g-ahead score with 58 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Smith scored three rushing touchdowns and caught a 95-yard pass from fellow senior Rance Holman, which stands as Jesuit's longest scoring play of the season, to give Jesuit an early, 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Smith would finish the game with 62 rushing yards and 103 receiving yards. Holman would complete nine passes for 103 yards, helping Jesuit out-gain Klein Collins, 376-342.
 
The Rangers saw sophomore Robert Fitzgerald secure the game-ending interception in the final moments of the fourth quarter to secure the win. Jesuit additionally stopped Klein Collins on a fourth-and-two from the Jesuit five-yard line, helping the Blue and Gold take a 14-7 lead into halftime.
 
Jesuit jumped on the board early on a nine-yard touchdown run by Smith with 8:21 remaining and the Ranger defense forced a Klein Collins punt after its first drive of the game. The Tiger punt was downed at the Ranger five-yard line, but Holman found Smith with separation down the sideline for a 95-yard touchdown catch, spotting the Blue and Gold a 14-point lead with 4:18 remaining in the opening quarter.
 
Klein Collins scored with 12 seconds remaining in the first to cut Jesuit's lead to seven points, but after the teams traded drives, the Tigers mishandled a punt, giving Jesuit the ball at the Klein Collins three-yard line. Smith punched it in from the three-yard line to give Jesuit a 21-7 lead. Klein Collins went marching down the field over the final moments of the first half, but the Rangers jammed the Tigers in the red zone. Facing a fourth-and-two backed up on their own five-yard line, Jesuit stuffed the Tigers to enter halftime with a 14-point lead.
 
In the second half, the two teams traded drives before Klein Collins struck on a 30-yard pass to cut the lead to seven points. Similar to the patience exhibited last Friday against Longview, the Rangers pieced together several long drives, putting the pressure on Klein Collins in the fourth quarter. The Tigers used a 15-play drive to take the ball from their own 11-yard line into the end zone to tie the game, 21-21.
 
With the time ticking away in the fourth quarter, Jesuit faced a second-and-seven from their own 41-yard line. Senior Christian Allocco brought the Ranger fans out of their seats with a breakout on a screen pass, moving 37 yards downfield to bring the Rangers into the red zone. Smith broke through on second-and-goal to put the Rangers ahead with under a minute left.
 
Klein Collins tried to push down the field one final time, but the Tigers were unable to get the ball into the red zone. Tigers' quarterback Colby Powers attempted to throw a fade into the end zone, but Fitzgerald caught the ball and toe-tapped inbounds, turning the ball over with nine seconds remaining and sending the Ranger faithful into a frenzy.
 
Jesuit will play either Waco Midway or Spring Westfield in the UIL Region 2-6A Division II final. The Mustangs and Panthers square off on Saturday.