Seniors Robert McMahon and Willie Robinson play first-team quarterback and running back.

The Blue Jays scrimmaged the McDonogh 35 Roneagles on Thursday afternoon, August 16 at Tad Gormley Stadium, giving football fans a tasty preview of the upcoming season. While Mother Nature prevented both teams from their final possessions, the 90-minute scrimmage allowed first-, second-, and third-team players to show their best on the home turf.

View the Photo Gallery from the Jesuit-McDonogh Scrimmage

The first touchdown came 40 minutes into the scrimmage when Will Moran caught an over-the-shoulder pass from senior Robert McMahon about 15 yards out. Moran, along with fellow seniors Noah Varnado and Brenden Berggren, is expected to be a starter. All three receivers played on first team offense with McMahon, a former receiver, at quarterback. Indeed, it was the the first time fans of Blue Jay football got a good look at a throwing McMahon. Last season as a junior receiver, McMahon scored a handful of times and contributed big gains every game with deep catches downfield.

The big men upfront, protecting McMahon and creating holes for running backs, are senior tackles Jacob Kieff and Max Juge, senior guards Cole Roy and Patrick Motes, and junior Brian Balestra.

Senior Perry Ganci, DE

Defensively, senior lineman Perry Ganci and his junior counterpart Sonny Hazard proved themselves as major threats, pressuring the quarterback and tackling the ball-carrier before he could get back to the line of scrimmage. The most notable defensive play came from cornerback Austin Robert, who picked off the Roneagles’ quarterback along the sideline. Senior strong safety Cameron Helm continued to prevent the defense from giving up big plays, covering the deep ball and assisting tackles all over the field.

With the coaches from both teams on the field and watching their charges closely, the scrimmage generated numerous plays that were met with cheers and jeers. If one thing is certain, there are plenty of seniors and returning starters who continue to prove their experience and show leadership on and off the field.

The varsity football team will face Hahnville in the Hahnville Jamboree on Thursday night with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m.  The JV portion of the jamboree will begin at 5:30. Tickets will be on sale at the switchboard on Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. Both pre-sale tickets and tickets purchased at the gate are $8.00 each for adults, students, and children.

Game 1 of the regular season against Warren Easton will be on the following Thursday, Aug. 30, at 7:00 p.m. at Tad Gormley.

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NOLA.com | McDonogh 35 and Jesuit get things rolling at Tad Gormley in football scrimmage

—Scroll through the photos below to see all the action from the scrimmage.