Rare Nighttime Football Pep Rally Rocks the Birdcage

Posted December 4, 2014 / Last updated March 3, 2015

Billy Murphy, head coach of Jesuit’s 1978 state runner-up team, addresses the crowd at Thursday night’s pep rally.

Students, parents, alumni and friends of Jesuit poured into the Birdcage on Thursday night for a pep rally in advance of Friday night’s LHSAA Division I state championship football game against John Curtis. It was the first nighttime pep rally at Jesuit in 16 years.

Student Council President Joe Dupre and Senior Class President Harrison Bond co-moderated the evening’s festivities, which included performances by the Blue Jay Marching Band, the Jesuit cheerleading squad, and the Jayettes.

The gridiron heroes showed up just in time for the festivities after busing back from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, where they posed for their official team photo and ran through a brief practice.

Among those in attendance were several representatives from Jesuit’s state champion teams of 1953 and 1960, as well as players from the 1963 and 1978 teams, which finished as state runners up. The head coach of that 1978 team, Billy Murphy, who is widely credited for returning the Blue Jay football program to prominence after several mediocre campaigns, was the featured speaker for the evening. Current Head Coach Mark Songy also addressed the crowd.

Game time is Friday night at 8:30 p.m.

Galleries

Pep Rally, State Football, Dec. 4, 2014

Senior running back Charles Jackson flies out of the tunnel.
Billy Murphy, who coached the 1978 state runner up team, was the night's featured speaker.
The band brought its "A-game" out for the crowd.
Matthew Knight, younger brother of senior safety Dillon Knight, won a T-shirt by tossing a football through a hula hoop.
Practicing some cheers.
Students make some noise.
Sophomore offensive lineman Corey Dublin chats with former Jesuit gridiron greats.
Students break out the flags.
Will Billon, who played on Jesuit's 1953 state championship team, has some words of advice for senior tight end Alex Rabalais.
Coach Mark Songy addresses the crowd.
Members of the Jays' potent offense enjoy their moment in the spotlight.
Senior fullback Michael McMahon, sans crutches, gets a hand from the crowd.
The Jesuit cheerleaders pose for a picture prior to the pep rally.
The crowd reacts to the introduction of the football coaching staff.
Senior Class President Harrison Bond co-moderated the festivities.
Junior Student Council President Joe Dupre co-moderated the pep rally.
Seniors Thomas Gallagher, Francis Plough, and Jack Marzullo.
The band gets the crowd rolling.
There's no doubt who these folks are supporting.
Offensive line moms are as tight knit as their sons.
WGNO's News With A Twist was on hand to cover the festivities. The dapper senior trio of Francis Plough, Jack Marzullo, and Thomas Gallagher provided a blue and white backdrop.
Band members do their best Beatles impersonation crossing Banks on their way to the gym.
Jayson posed for pictures with fans of all ages.