Jays Lose a Close One to Rummel, 22-21
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Junior defensive back Cameron Helm tears through the offensive line to make a perfect goal-line tackle, preventing a touchdown on a 4th-and-1 attempt by Rummel.
The Jesuit football team put forward a strong performance against Archbishop Rummel in the historic game played at Yulman Stadium on Friday night. The first Catholic League football match-up on Tulane’s campus in nearly 40 years saw the Blue Jays play extremely well for the first 40 minutes.
View the Jesuit vs Rummel Football Game Photo Gallery
The game started with a rush a excitement for the Blue and White. Junior Ethan Kerrigan led the charge by hauling in an interception on the first drive of the game. The offense then quickly entered the red zone, and senior running back Michael Torry bounced outside the cadre of linemen to cross the goal line and put the Jays ahead, 7-0.
Senior running back Michael Torry crosses the goal line on the first of his two touchdowns against the Raiders.
The defense continued to hold the line for the Jays on the next Raider drive. Rummel tried to even the score with a methodical march down the field, taking the ball all the way down to Jesuit’s 1-yard line. Not to be intimidated on the 4th-and-1 attempt at the end zone, junior defensive back Cameron Helm tore through Rummel’s offensive line and delivered a hard-hitting tackle to force a turnover on downs.
Rummel would eventually even the score at seven before senior Michael Hull made a leaping interception along the Rummel sideline and ran for 52 yards to inside Rummel’s 10 yard line. A running play up the middle by junior Willie Robinson set up a diving reception by junior Noah Varnado for the score with just a few seconds left on the clock before halftime.
Just before Jesuit was able to hit the locker room leading by a touchdown, Rummel returned the kickoff after Varnado’s score for nearly 70 yards. Cameron Helm proved he was truly the goal-line protector by running down the kickoff returner and again making a tackle to save a touchdown. The Raiders settled for a field goal to make the score 14-10 at the half.
“I was really impressed by how well we played,” said head football coach Mark Songy. “For most of the game, we were physically dominant against a team that has exceptional athletes. Our defense played hard-nose football, especially in the red zone, and I couldn’t be prouder of our improvement in all aspects of the game.”
After a quiet third quarter for both teams, the Blue Jays broke the silence with an 86-yard reception by junior Robert McMahon to put them in striking distance. Michael Torry brought the ball across the goal line for the second time that night and improved Jesuit’s lead to 21-10 with just under eight minutes to play.
After Rummel narrowed the lead to 21-16, Cameron Helm prevents the 2-point conversion attempt with excellent coverage.
Unfortunately, a lot can happen in eight minutes. With a total of four turnovers in the fourth quarter, Rummel took advantage of the swings in momentum to score twice on 30-plus yard receptions.
The defense maintained their composure through the late-game surge by Rummel, interrupting both attempts at 2-point conversions. Junior Cameron Helm again showed his determination to keep the Raiders out of the end zone by perfectly timing his break on the ball and batting down a passing attempt for one of the conversions.
The Jays just couldn’t hold on as the clock expired, and Rummel escaped with a victory, 22-21.
After the game, Coach Songy said, “You don’t lose a football game because of a few mistakes. You lose because of a culmination of everything that happens from the beginning of the game until the end. I told the team that what counts is is how you handle yourself in every situation. That’s true for football, and it’s true in life.”
The Jays are back in action on Saturday night against Archbishop Shaw. Kickoff is set for 7 PM at Hoss Memstas Stadium.
Read More…
The Advocate – Rummel’s fourth-quarter surge powers Raiders past Jesuit
NOLA.com – Rummel 22, Jesuit 21: Chandler Fields tosses 2 TDs to JaMarr Chase as Raiders rally
Galleries
Jesuit (21) vs Rummel (22), Yulman Stadium, Oct. 13, 2017
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The Jesuit touchdown flags make a familiar lap at an unfamiliar environment in Yulman Stadium. -
Senior safety Wyatt Candies takes down the Rummel receiver. -
Cameron Helm breaks up this first down attempt to force a Rummel punt. -
Michael Torry looks to create some space in the backfield. -
Robert McMahon hauls in the pass... -
...and turns on the jets for an 86 yards gain. -
Michael Torry finishes the drive by powering through the Rummel line into the end zone. -
Blue Jay fans celebrate the score... -
...as the Jays go up 21-10. -
Tight end Dylan McKeough gets the offense going in the second half with this reception from Alex Watermeier. -
The Jays ride more momentum as Rummel fumbles the ensuing kickoff... -
...and Matthew Sauviac comes out of pile with the football. -
The student section goes wild after the big play. -
Sophomore lineman Marquis Martin puts pressure on the Rummel quarterback. -
After Rummel narrowed the lead to 21-16, Cameron Helm prevents the 2-point conversion attempt with excellent coverage. -
Once Rummel had gone up 22-21, the defense needed to contain the Rummel running game to reclaim possession. Matthew Frischhertz does his part on the drive... -
...as does Perry Ganci, forcing the Raiders to punt away. -
After a hard-fought game, the Blue Jay football team gathers to sing the Alma Mater. -
Junior receiver Robert McMahon turns upfield after pulling in a catch in the flat. -
Kicker Max Scheurich gets the game going with the opening kickoff. -
The defense keeps a lid on the Raiders from the start. Defensive back Michael Hull and linebacker Matthew Sauviac take down the Rummel receiver. -
Junior running back Willie Robinson finds a hole in the Rummel line. -
Senior running back Michael Torry crosses the goal line on the first of his two touchdowns against the Raiders. -
Junior defensive back Cameron Helm makes a perfect goal-line tackle to prevent the score on Rummel's 4th and 1. -
Junior kicker Max Scheurich punts the ball from the end zone. -
Sauviac and Helm maintain the defensive intensity in the first half. -
The student section makes some noise to encourage the defense. -
Members of the Jesuit MCJROTC color guard present the colors for the national anthem. -
Senior quarterback Alex Watermeier rolls out of the pocket looking for a receiver. -
Junior lineman Perry Ganci smothers the Rummel running back and gets the tackle for a loss. -
Senior defensive back Michael Hull pulls down the interception along the Rummel sideline... -
...and returns the ball 52 yards to inside the Rummel 10-yard line. -
Blue Jay bandsman Quinn Patron plays trumpet during the halftime performance. -
Flutist Dominic Stoner plays his part in the brass section. -
The Jesuit Jayettes join the band and perform their dance routine. -
Drum major Chris Vasquez maintains a steady tempo during the halftime perfomance.
