DALLAS –
Cooper McGough made a 36-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter and the Jesuit defense got a big stop to preserve a 17-14 wild victory over J.J. Pearce at Ranger Stadium on Friday night.
Jesuit (2-3, 2-0 7-6A) won its second-consecutive game while overcoming three interceptions and a muffed kickoff. The Rangers did respond from last year's road loss to Pearce with their sixth-straight home win over the Mustangs.
The Rangers compiled 155 rushing yards and 151 through the air, while holding the Mustangs to a season-low 179 total yards.
Jesuit scored on its first possession after Jack Bourett intercepted Evan Roseberry two minutes into the game.
Shane Parker capped a 12-play drive with a score from six yards out for an early lead.
The teams traded empty possessions for much of the rest of the half before Jesuit churned out a 15-play drive that saw Beck berry connect with
Cade Kirby for a 23-yard score. A 2-point conversion to Kirby gave the Rangers a 14-0 lead.
But Pearce got its offense going just before halftime as backup Coton Waddle found Tate Anchikoski in the end zone from 15 yards out with eight seconds on the clock.
The Mustangs tied it at 14 when Nate Kinder intercepted Berry on the fourth play of the quarter and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown.
That was the way things stood until midway through the final period when Jesuit produced another long drive. This time it was a 17-play trek that ended with McGough's third field goal in four tries this season.
Berry was 16-of-29 with 142 yards with a touchdown pass and 90 rushing yards on the night. He was 6-of-6 for 44 yards on the 92-yard drive that setup McGough's kick.
In a series that has seen the teams average 72 points over the previous 12 meetings, this went down as the lowest scoring matchup by 21 points.
Jesuit will face Lake Highlands (4-1, 2-0) next Friday at night at Ranger Stadium. The team will honor its 24 seniors prior to the 7 p.m. kickoff.
