The Ranger rugby team opened the 2020 season with a pair of strong performances, winning the annual Bishop's Cup with a 47-17 win over St. Thomas in Houston on Friday after opening the year with a 24-13, pre-season win over Katy at Postell Stadium on Jan. 18.
 
"It was a great team effort," commented Jesuit Dallas head rugby coach Matthew Upton '02. "I was really impressed with how the guys came together to handle adversity at the beginning of both halves, especially given the stress that comes with a long road trip."
 
"St. Thomas came out well prepared, and we had to adjust our game plan on the fly, by communicating and working together. It was great to see so many new players get their first varsity game time and rise to the occasion with the help of the more experienced players.
 
Jesuit erupted for 19 unanswered points after St. Thomas scored the opening try, dominating a majority of the opening half to take a commanding lead into the break. Senior Mitchell Campbell scored Jesuit's first try of the day and added a conversion kick off of a try from junior Alex Triantos to spot Jesuit a nine-point lead.
 
Junior Sy Mendenhall powered his way through the St. Thomas defense, then uploaded to Campbell for a try right prior to the halftime buzzer to send Jesuit into the locker room with a 14-point lead.
 
In the second half, St. Thomas scored early to snap the Jesuit run, but once again the Rangers withstood the salvo and quickly put the game away. Mendenhall and Campbell scored again to build a 21-point lead before junior Peter Melle raced in off of a free kick and classmate Chris Cook scored on a broken line out to build a 47-12 lead late.
 
Jesuit opened the year with a 24-13 win over Katy in the preseason. Campbell scored a try as Melle added two scores alongside tries from Brad Silver and Freddie Bowhill.
 
The Rangers will travel to Austin, Texas on Saturday for a 7 p.m. kickoff against Lake Travis. Jesuit will welcome Strake Jesuit to Postell Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 15 for the team's first regular season home game.