Holy Heartbreak!

Posted October 5, 2015 / Last updated October 9, 2015

Jays Leave It All on the Field in Double OT, Skinned by the Tigers in a Rivalry Nail-biter, 28-21

Kalija Lipscomb fumbles on the first series, and it’s recovered by the Tigers, ending a promising drive by the Jays.

View the Photo Gallery of the Jesuit – Holy Cross Rivalry Game

When it was all said and done between Jesuit and Holy Cross on Friday night (Oct. 2) , the 96^th meeting between this pair of crosstown Catholic rivals — truly two Great American rivals — would be etched into memories and history books as one of the most exciting football games played at Tad Gormley Stadium.

That one team had to take home a bitter loss, well that’s prep football, and a slice of life. Unfortunately for the Jays, the outcome of Friday night’s nail-biter was perhaps more gut-wrenching for Jesuit than the Tigers’ lopsided 56-14 loss in last season’s Rivalry game.

The defending state champion Blue Jays are 2-3 overall after Week 5, and a dismal 0-2 in the Catholic League following their stunning double overtime loss to Holy Cross, 28-21, in this year’s Rivalry game, coupled with the unexpected defeat, 26-20, by St. Augustine in Week 4.

Connor Prouet scored three TDs and ran well all night.

It’s a little bit of a miracle that among the estimated 12,000 fans in the stadium, many of whom were parents, grandparents, and alumni, no one suffered a heart attack. But there are plenty of sore throats. The game was televised live on WHNO (Cox Channel 20/1020) with Ken Berthelot and former Jesuit head coach Wayde Keiser calling the action, much of it breathlessly over a three-hour span.

“We had all sorts of opportunities, but we kept shooting ourselves in the foot,” said one astute observer on Jesuit’s sideline. “We just made too many mistakes. I really feel bad for our players. They played their hearts out and left them on the field.”

Mistakes, karma, turnovers, lucky, or a combo thereof. Consider the following:

With the score tied at 14-14, the Jays move the ball into Tiger territory. On third and six, Hontas connects with Zach Young for a huge first down at the Tigers’ 29-yard line.

In five games this season, this was the first one in which the Blue Jays won the coin toss, electing to receive.
On the second play, Jesuit’s senior center, John Sewell, injured his knee. Although he limped off the field unaided, he didn’t return (junior Nick Gauthé filled in admirably). By the end of the game, Sewell was on crutches.
On their first possession, the Jays gave Connor Prouet, their workhorse, the ball four times. He picked up about 25 yards.
On third and eight from the Tigers’ 35-yard line, quarterback Peter Hontas hit wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb with a quick pass near the line of scrimmage. Lipscomb tacked on several yards, but the ball looked like it was cradled precariously. Lipscomb was tackled from behind and stripped of the ball, which bounced once and fell into the hands of a Tiger.
Holy Cross proceeded to consume more than seven minutes off the clock in driving all the way down the field to score a touchdown with three minutes left in the first quarter.
Senior kicker Crew Jacobs attempted a 40-yard field goal with a stiff wind to his back in the second quarter, but it was blocked and the Tigers had a 7-0 lead at halftime.
In the third quarter, Jesuit took the lead, 14-7, when Connor Prouet scored two touchdowns five minutes apart on runs of five yards and two yards. Jacobs kicked the PATs through the middle of the uprights.
Holy Cross ties the game at 14 apiece with just over four minutes left in the game, aided by a penalty on a missed field goal. The Jays were flagged for roughing the center after he snapped the ball. The Tigers got a first down and were suddenly in business on the 10-yard line.
The Blue Jays listen to Coach Mark Songy address them after a nail-biter of a game. The Jays play John Curtis on Friday, Oct. 9 at Joe Yenni Stadium.
After the Tigers score, the Jays march down the field as the minutes tick off. Prouet picks up 20 yards on a carry and Hontas hits a wide-open Zach Young at the Tigers’ 20-yard line.
With the ball on the Holy Cross four-yard line, Jesuit runs the clock down to three seconds and calls a time out. What will be little more than a chip shot for Jacobs, about a 21-yard field goal attempt, is against a stiff wind. The kick will win the game for Jesuit, if it’s good. But the ball ricochets off his right foot at a crazy 45-degree angle and sails wide left.

“That young man is totally dejected,” said Berthelot. As teammates patted Jacobs on the helmet, Keiser explained the miss. “It looks like his plant foot was not in the right direction,” he said. “It looks like he planted his plant foot a little bit more to the left, so thus he hooked the ball to his left.”

In overtime, the ball is placed on the 10-yard line and each team has four downs to score. Prouet scored on Jesuit’s first possession and Jacobs kicked the PAT. Jesuit led 21-14. Holy Cross now had its chance and could do nothing on the first three downs. Facing fourth and 11, the Tiger quarterback rolls right and looks in the end zone. Jesuit defensive back Matt McMahon blitzes and gets an arm around the Tiger QB, who slips out of the jam. He tosses the ball… and it’s caught in the far reach of the end zone. With the PAT, the score is 21-21.

The teams go into double overtime with the Tigers on offense first. On first down, another pass into the end zone is caught for a TD. The PAT is good and Holy Cross is out front, 28-21. Jesuit has four downs to tie it. The Jays rely on Prouet, who battles to get the Jays down to the three-yard line. But it’s fourth down. The Jays have one last shot. Prouet takes the hand-off from Hontas and there is daylight on the left side. Hontas jumps up and must have felt that Prouet would score easily. But daylight quickly turns to darkness as the Tigers’ defense swarms Prouet at the one-yard line. He is shoved back to the five or six yard line. As Berthelot puts it: “In a rugby scrum, Connor Prouet is stuffed.”

The New Orleans Advocate: Rod Walker: Fields of dreams? Holy Cross freshman quarterback creates fresh memories in 28-21 thriller over Jesuit

The New Orleans Advocate: Holy Cross topples Jesuit 28-21 in double overtime

Galleries

Football 2015 (Week 5, The Rivalry): Jesuit (21) vs. Holy Cross (28); Friday, October 2

Zach Young blocks for running back Kai Rozas (24), who escapes from this Tiger defender.
The Jesuit side of the field erupts in cheers after Zach Young's catch breathes new life into the Jays with two minutes remaining in regulation.
With the score tied at 14-14, the Jays move the ball into Tiger territory. On third and six, Hontas connects with Zach Young for a huge first down at the Tigers' 29-yard line.
Mark Beebe's herculean effort succeeds in keeping this Tiger runner out of the end zone, temporarily. The Tigers score a TD with three minutes on the clock to tie the game at 14.
The Blue Jay Booster section comes alive as the Jays jump out to a 14-7 lead.
Kai Rozas rushed seven times and gained 39 yards.
... Kai Rozas gains 13 yards on this play, his longest run of the night.
Kai Rozas on another of his seven rushes in the Holy Cross game...
A pass to Evan Slattery is broken up by a Tiger defensive back.
After Connor Prouet gets the Jays closer to the goal line, a time out is called with nine seconds on the clock. Crew Jacobs, who earlier had an attempt at 40 yards blocked, can win the game if his 21-yard field goal splits the uprights...
With blocking by Nick Gauthé and Austin Reed on the right side, Connor Prouet is able to average 5.1 yards per carry.
Sometimes, Jayson allows fans to tweak his beak.
After the Jays tie the game at 7-7 with a five-yard run by Connor Prouet, they kick off to the Tigers. Jandon Briscoe (3) is in hot pursuit of the runner and brings him down quickly.
When the Jays get the ball in the third quarter, they give it to Connor Prouet, who refuses to go down easily.
The Blue Jay Marching Band and the Jayettes perform at halftime.
Players from the 2005 Katrina team receive special coins minted just for this occasion.
Holy Cross president Charles DiGange and Jesuit president Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J. with the "Legend" trophies accepted on behalf of their schools.
Retired athletic director Frank Misuraca checks out the "Legend of the Game" trophy held by Vic Eumont, who was head coach of Blue Jay football from 2001 - 2005.
The 28-21 final score stuns the Jesuit crowd.
The Blue Jays listen to Coach Songy address them after the nail-biter of a game.
Coach Mark Songy talks to the Blue Jays at the south end of the stadium.
The Blue Jays sing the Alma Mater.
Holy Cross athletic director Barry Wilson accepts the "Golden Football" trophy from Dave Moreau, his counterpart at Jesuit, where the trophy resided since the 2014 season. The Tigers will now keep the trophy at Holy Cross and will bring it to next year's Rivalry game.
Tim Falter '02, who coaches the running backs, tries to pick up the spirits of the Blue Jays.
Holy Cross quarterback Chandler Fields, a freshman, is selected as the game's outstanding player.
The Blue Jays and the Tigers meet on the field afterwards.
John Sewell, who was hurt on the first play from scrimmage, can only wonder "what if."
More than two dozen Blue Jays who were members of the 2005 Katrina team were recognized as this year's "Legend of the Game" during the halftime ceremony. Players from Holy Cross's Katrina team were similarly recognized.
The Tiger side goes nuts while the Blue Jays have their heads down.
... The look on Connor Prouet says it all. One yard shy.
... The Tigers put up a fierce goal line stance and shove Connor Prouet back to preserve the win in double overtime.
The Jays have one shot left. On fourth and one from the one-yard line, Connor Prouet is given the ball. Quarterback Peter Hontas leaps in the air because there is a hole that Prouet could drive a truck through. But the hole closes fast...
After the Tigers get the ball and score two touchdowns on two successive plays, the Jays have four downs to tie the score at 28. But on second down, Peter Hontas is caught and dragged down at the 10-yard line.
In overtime, the Blue Jays have the ball first. Connor Prouet scores and thanks offensive lineman Cameron Maheu (66).
Connor Prouet (32), along with Richard Besselman (63) and Denny McGinnis, head back to the sideline.
Denny McGinnis (8) holds for Crew Jacobs, whose field goal attempt... sails wide left.
Ashton Ryan '65 wishes both teams "good luck" and shakes the hands of the co-captains from each side.
On Jesuit's first series, the Jays are at midfield when quarterback Peter Hontas throws to wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb...
Austin Reed (74) and Evan Slattery (47) open a hole for running back Connor Prouet as Zach Young (7) guards the left flank.
Jesuit’s Connor Prouet was given the ball 32 times against Holy Cross. He rushed for 162 yards and scored the Jays’ three touchdowns.
Fans and players sing the National Anthem.
Bill Furlong of the Class of 1952, who retired from the U.S. Army with the rank of lieutenant colonel, was honored, along with Holy Cross alumnus Victor Guillory '73, for his military service in a brief ceremony prior to the start of the National Anthem.
The wind whipping through Tad Gormley Stadium makes it a little difficult for the 31 cadets holding the over-sized American flag.
Prior to the National Anthem, two alumni veterans from each school are recognized on the field. Holy Cross’s alumnus veteran is Victor Guillory ’73 (second from left). Jesuit’s alumnus veteran is Bill Furlong ’52. Guillory and Furlong were honored with special plaques given to them by Great American Rivalry Army personnel.
A huge American flag is unfurled in front of the Blue Jays.
... Lipscomb picks up the first down and keeps on truckin'...
And heads it is. The coin appears to be sitting on top of Zack Robert's left shoe. Actually, it was still flopping around, the coin that is.
Ashton Ryan '65, president of First NBC Bank, flips the special coin in the air. As the visitors, Jesuit calls "heads."
The senior co-captains for the Jesuit - Holy Cross game are quarterback Peter Hontas (15), defensive lineman Zack Robert (92), center John Sewell (60), and safety Mark Beebe (22). Walking behind the quartet are alumni director Mat Grau '68 (left) and Ashton Ryan '65, president of First NBC Bank, which is the corporate sponsor of the Rivalry game.
The Blue Jay side of the stadium on the Roosevelt Mall side is beginning to fill up with enthusiastic fans. (Drone photos by D.J. Galiano '07.)
... Let this year's Rivalry game begin.
The Blue Jays are ready to take the field...
Carrying the JESUIT flags are seniors, from left, John Nimmo, Brandon Beck, Evan Dudenhefer, Dillon Fuchs, and Brady LeBlanc.
This photo of the Blue Jays getting pumped up before making their entrance onto the field was captured by free lance photographer Parker Waters, who used a fisheye lens and edited the photo using high dynamic range (HDR) imaging software.
Jakirai Wiley (4) holds on to defensive back Patrick Spiers, who holds on to this Tiger receiver.
On behalf of Jesuit and the 2005 Katrina football team, Fr. McGinn accepts a "Legend of the Game" trophy from a representative of the Great American Rivalry.
Jesuit alumni director Mat Grau '68 has the Blue Jay side of the halftime ceremony lined up and ready to convene at mid-field where the "Legends of the Game" will be recognized. This year's Legends are the Katrina football teams fielded in the 2005 season by Jesuit and Holy Cross. Waiting with Grau are Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J. '66, president of Jesuit High School, former head football coach Vic Eumont, former athletic director Frank Misuraca, and former principal Mike Giambelluca '82.
Kalija Lipscomb caught three passes in the game for a total of 33 yards. The Jays head into the locker room at halftime trailing the Tigers, 7-0.
Cameron Crozier (54) and Mark Beebe team up to take down this Tiger.
Crew Jacobs attempts to kick a 40-yard field goal, but a blocking assignment is blown and the ball is deflected by a Tiger.
... for a touchdown as Holy Cross draws first blood, 7-0 at the beginning of the second quarter.
Jacob Baxter pressures Tiger quarterback Chandler Fields, who throws to his wide receiver in the end zone...
At the end of the first quarter, the GAR Scholar Athlete Award is presented to the senior with the highest GPA on each team. Jesuit principal Peter Kernion '90 accepts on behalf of Evan Slattery (47). Holy Cross principal Dr. Joseph Murry accepts on behalf of Chris Bologna.
Two hours and three minutes before kickoff, Tad Gormley Stadium looked like this at 5:12 p.m. as the two schools begin a fantastic tailgate party on the Wisner Boulevard side of the arena.
Linebacker Cameron Crozier brings down this Tiger on one of his five solo tackles.
Nathan Farley (33), Mark Beebe (22), and Jacob Baxter (44) contain this loose Tiger.
The expression on the face of assistant Coach Benny Baptiste '81 screams that the Tigers have a first down as a result of this catch.
... Right into the hands of a Tiger defender, who is tackled near the Jesuit sideline.
... But Lipscomb goes one way and the ball bounces the other way...
... Lipscomb appears to be ready to fall on the ball...
... The ball pops loose from Lipscomb's grasp...
... At the Tigers' 35-yard line, Lipscomb is hit from behind...