The football team emerged victorious in its first-round matchup against 17th-ranked C.E. Byrd, scoring 23 points over the Yellow Jacket’s two points at the Shrine on Airline with a live broadcast by Crescent City Sports. Alongside an exceptional defensive effort, the game was carried in part by the running performance of senior Patrick Berrigan. The number-16-seeded Blue Jay football team is now on a two-victory streak.

Berrigan, who amassed 260 yards during the regular season, nearly matched that figure on the rainy Friday night, rushing 23 times and covering 184 yards. His first-half touchdown runs of 22 and 7 yards contributed to Jesuit’s early 13-0 lead.

The lead was further extended by a 30-yard field goal from Ethan Cabos in the third quarter and an 11-yard touchdown pass from senior Beau Perez to sophomore Roman Larré early in the fourth quarter. Byrd’s only points came as a result of a high punt snap from center that went through the end zone.

The Jesuit defense successfully thwarted Byrd’s running game, keeping the Yellow Jackets scoreless on offense. The student section, dressed in camo, added some levity and energy to the contest with a playful “Byrd hunting” theme.

Up next, Jesuit will face its long-standing rival, top-seeded Holy Cross, at Tad Gormley on Friday, November 17. Although these two teams have faced each other for 102 consecutive years, this will only be their third postseason meeting and the first since the 1963 state championship game.