Jesuit Wins Fourth Straight in 99th Meeting vs. Holy Cross, 28-7

Posted October 1, 2018 / Last updated October 5, 2018

The Golden Football trophy is back at Carrollton and Banks.

By a score of 28-7, Jesuit football won its 99th meeting against Holy Cross on Friday night at Tad Gormley Stadium to secure the 2018 Great American Rivalry Series. The Blue Jays (4-1, 2-0) snagged their fourth consecutive victory in front of approximately 15,000 people who came to witness the historic district rivalry. Jesuit improved its lead in the series that started in 1922 to 57-40-1.

The Blue Jay defensive line arrived to the challenge as it has all season; and while senior Perry Ganci once again led the way, his sturdy counterparts Owen Melville (senior) and Sonny Hazard (junior) showed their strength as the defense held the Tigers to just 28 yards rushing and 104 passing. Together, the trio recorded 13 tackles and five sacks with Melville responsible for two sacks that pushed Holy Cross back 23 total yards. Player of the Game Perry Ganci was certainly deserving of the MVP award, but even he knows what served as the play of the game.

Without a doubt, it was Luke Besh’s 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that opened the second half, provided the game’s first score, and created breathing room for the Jays to finish what was clearly an overall team win.

The final Jesuit touchdown, and last score of the game, started on the ground but finished in the air as senior tailback Willie Robinson ran 15 yards along the sideline and flew across the goal line like his life depended on it. Robinson’s will to score was a reflection of Jesuit’s determination throughout the entirety of the district contest.

(WATCH) CrescentCitySports.com | Full-Game Replay

Through the Lens…

Senior running back Willie Robinson dives into the end zone for a 15-yard rushing touchdown, the final score of Jesuit’s 28-7 Rivalry Game victory.

View the Photo Gallery from the Jesuit-Holy Cross Football Game

View the Photo Gallery from the Rivalry Tailgate, Parade, and On-Field Ceremonies

By the Numbers…

Jesuit: 332 yards of total offense (217 rushing, 115 passing)
Holy Cross: 132 yards of total offense (216 rushing, 104 passing)

Passing: Robert McMahon, 8-16, 119 YDS
Rushing: Willie Robinson, 18 CAR, 103 YDS, 1 TD; Brayton Whittington, 15-85, 1 TD; Robert McMahon, 14-28
Receiving: Noah Varnado, 3 REC, 71 YDS; Brenden Berggren, 1-15; Will Moran, 1-8; Brayton Whittington, 2-11; Zach Charneco, 1-10

Scoring Summary

FIRST QUARTER		JHS	HC
	FG 7:25 Max Scheurich 36-yard Field Goal	3	0
SECOND QUARTER
	FG 1:44 Max Scheurich 44-yard Field Goal	6	0
THIRD QUARTER
	TD 11:46 Luke Besh 93-yard Kickoff Return Max Scheurich kick	13	0
	TD 8:44 Brayton Whittington 1-yd run Max Scheurich kick	20	0
	TD 1:50 Bryan Broussard 8-yard pass from Jalen Johnson Nolan Heitmeyer kick	20	7
FOURTH QUARTER
	TD 7:27 Willie Robinson 15-yd run Luke LaForge pass from Robert McMahon (2-pt. conversion)	28	7

In Their Words…

Senior Perry Ganci receives the Rivalry Game MVP Award.

Perry Ganci, who was selected by the Great American Rivalry as the game’s MVP, explained how well the defense played, saying, “It was a great game plan from the coaches. We reduced our mistakes, so we were able to show how great our defense was. The offense showed out in the second half, and we just did the job.”

Vote for Perry Ganci as the South Shore Player of Week 5

“When you have a strong senior class, and I’m not just talking about football players, the spirit of the school is high,” head football coach Mark Songy said humbly after the big win. “We’re so privileged to play in front of students and fans that love what we do. It’s such a pleasure, and that’s why I work here.”

On the Horizon…

Jesuit resumes Catholic League play against John Curtis on Friday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at Yulman Stadium.

Galleries

Week 5 (Rivalry Game): Jesuit (28) vs. Holy Cross (7), Tad Gormley Stadium, Sept. 28, 2018

Davis Edwards and Luke Eccles cheer during a big play.
Receiver Brenden Berggren catches a pass along the sideline.
Running back Brayton Whittington sheds a tackle and gains extra yardage for a first down.
Running back Willie Robinson follows his hard-working blockers Jack Juge and Jacob Kieff.
Defensive end Perry Ganci closes in on the Holy Cross quarterback.
The band performs at halftime with the...
...Jayettes, who formed a creative single file line out of which they broke into dance.
Senior class president Langston Goldenberg joins the drumline as he plays on his own.
BIG PLAY: Sophomore wide receiver Luke Besh returns the 2nd half kickoff.
What looks like a normal kickoff return...
...turns into a huge hole for Besh, who escapes the last Tiger defender. He runs...
... the ball past midfield to the 30-yard line, then the 15, 10, 5, ...
...and it's a 93-yard touchdown!
Besh and his teammates celebrate the huge play that started the second half.
Brayton Whittington runs all the way to the 1-yard line.
On the following play, Whittington scores a touchdown and is lifted up by...
...senior captain and offensive lineman Jacob Kieff.
The cheerleaders lead the crowd in the kickoff cheer.
Senior safety Cameron Helm makes a strong defensive play along the sideline.
After sacking the quarterback,...
...defensive tackle Owen Melville celebrates the huge stop.
Quarterback Robert McMahon lines up in shotgun.
Defensive end Perry Ganci dives to catch the Tiger tailback from...
...crossing the line of scrimmage.
As Blue Jay defenders follow to assist the tackle, linebacker Ethan Branch stops the ball carrier from reaching the corner.
McMahon finds some open space and scrambles toward...
...the sideline, where he stiff-arms the Tiger defender.
Receiver Noah Varnado watches the ball into his hands for a gain of 40 yards.
Willie Robinson bounces outside, beats the first defender,...
...follows a great block from Varnado, ...
...and dives into the end zone for a 15-rad rushing touchdown.
Kieff is there again to celebrate the score.
Catching the two-point conversion is sophomore receiver Luke LaForge.
Head coach Mark Songy flashes a winning smile as he celebrates the Rivalry Game victory with his players and fellow coaches.
Senior defensive end Perry Ganci wins the Most Valuable Player award.
Coach Songy accepts the Rivalry Game Championship Trophy and quickly hands it to...
...tight end Zach Charneco.
Quarterback Robert McMahon holds the Golden Football trophy.
Rivalry Game Marines stand on the outside of Scholar-Athlete Neehar Desai, Community Service Award winner Payton Hedrick, and MVP Perry Ganci.
The Blue Jays celebrate with their Rivalry Game Championship hats and the winning trophies.
The team runs to celebrate the win with the loyal student section.

Jesuit High School of New Orleans