Junior Jacob Whitlow takes in a pitch and heads up field in the Blue Jays’ 31-19 loss to the Bayou Hurricane Club on Saturday, Feb. 27.

Blue Jay Rugby faced off against a strong Bayou Hurricane Club team in Raceland on Saturday, Feb. 27. Regarded as this season’s two elite teams the season, the face-off ended with the Jays on the wrong end of the 31-19 score. The Blue Jays came out flat and handled the ball poorly early, allowing the Hurricanes to take full advantage.

The Hurricanes took the opening kick and drove the field to score a try and conversion to put them ahead, 7-0. The Blue Jays were inspired by a strong hit on a Hurricane player by junior Jack Gab, which resulted in a Jesuit possession. Senior Scott Derbes took a pitch and ran through a host of Hurricanes to score a try. The conversion was missed.

The Hurricanes quickly countered with two scores, increasing their lead to 24-7 at the half. Poor ball handling and tackling put the Jays in a big hole.

The Hurricanes scored first again in the second half when one of their players stole a Blue Jay line out and took it 50 yards. With conversion, the Hurricanes were up, 31-5.

The Jays countered with two scores, the first off of a Hurricane turnover that put the ball in the hands of junior Jacob Whitlow. Whitlow evaded a Hurricane tackler to score a try. Taking advantage of another Hurricane turnover, sophomore Gabe Massey used some tough inside running to score the other try. Derbes’ conversion was good, bringing final score to 31-19.

The Blue Jay rugby team looks to improve upon their 3-1 record when they travel to Dallas to participate in the Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas Tournament on Saturday and Sunday, March 5-6.