Punched in Ponchatoula: Rogue Green Wave Slaps Blue Jays

Posted September 6, 2014 / Last updated September 12, 2014

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Ponchatoula’s Christian Campbell gave the Jays fits throughout the game and proved elusive as ever, as safety Dillon Knight discovers.

View the Photo Gallery of the Jesuit – Ponchatoula Game

It took eight games scattered over many years but the Green Wave of Ponchatoula finally notched a first win over the Blue Jays, 24-21, in a typical Friday night thriller on the Northshore.

The game was the season-opener for both teams (for the record, Jesuit’s Jamboree win last week and scrimmage the week before are ignored) and marked the second consecutive year the Jays have played Ponchatoula. Last year’s encounter at Tad Gormley Stadium that Jesuit won, 28-23, was not as close or nearly as exciting as Friday night’s meeting in Ponchatoula’s so-called Swamp.

The Blue Jays were, indeed, “swamped” in a plethora of uncharacteristic mistakes, miscues, penalties, and missed tackles.

“Take away one-third of the mistakes, one-third, and we win by two touchdowns,” said Coach Mark Songy. “We had enough opportunities to get it done but we end up kicking ourselves time after time.”

With a nod towards the Green Wave, Coach Songy said Ponchatoula is a good football team, but not as good as some of the teams Jesuit will play during the season.

“More mistakes like tonight and those teams are gonna stick it right to you,” he said. “If (tonight) doesn’t hurt, you’re on the wrong planet, and you’re certainly around the wrong guy.”

Nola.com: Christian Campbell lifts Ponchatoula to a 24-21 victory against Jesuit

Galleries

Football 2014 (Week 1): Jesuit vs. Ponchatoula; Friday, September 5

Jayson says hello to a young fan who doesn't quite know what to make of the Blue & White mascot.
Coach Mark Songy talks to the team afterwards, telling them that if they could have eliminated one-third of their mistakes, the Jays would have won by two touchdowns. Jesuit's second game of the season will be against St. Paul's in Covington on Friday, September 12. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
The outcome of the Jays' season opener can be seen in the eyes of Dillon Knight.
Blue Jays cheered their hearts out and sing the alma mater. From left are Austin Schott, Bobby Comeaux, Harrison Bond, and Peyton Markey.
The traditional singing of the alma mater takes place after the game.
The teams meet in the middle of the Swamp.
Kalija Lipscomb hauls in a Trey LaForge pass at mid-field. Try as they might, the Blue Jays couldn't move the ball within field goal range and the game ended with Ponchatoula on top, 24-21.
Jesuit's rally in the final two minutes of play excites Blue Jay fans who traveled to the Swamp in Ponchatoula.
The 4 Horsemen are a big part of Jesuit's offense. From left are wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb and running backs Malcolm Ben, Chris Mills, and Charles Jackson.
Zack Robert takes down Ponchatoula quarterback Christian Campbell.
Jesuit cheerleaders standing tall are Riley Reynolds (left) and Maddie Cvitanovich, a junior and senior, respectively, at Mt. Carmel Academy.
Tight end Foster Moreau hauls in a short pass from Trey LaForge and gets into the end zone untouched. It was Moreau's second touchdown of the game and, with less than three minutes remaining, the Jays pull to within three points of the Green Wave, 24-21.
Quarterback Trey LaForge goes long and finds Kalija Lipscomb, who makes a leaping catch in the red zone.
After sitting out a couple of weeks with an injury, Michael McMahon returns to action, and on this play picks up a first down.
Linebacker Robert Lobrano (55) and Dillon Knight team up to bring down quarterback Christian Campbell.
Ponchatoula's quarterback is bottled up on this play by a gang of Blue Jays, including Dillon Knight and Hunter Robert (51).
Five of 11: Jesuit's defense includes, from left, safety Dillon Knight; linebackers Robert Lobrano, Mitchell Melito, and Jonathan Giardina; and Zack Robert, who is the right defensive end.
Hunter Robert usually can be found on the defensive line in the right tackle slot But in certain situations requiring a bulldozer, the senior takes up residence in the backfield. On this play from two yards out, Robert waltzes his bulldozer into the end zone for the Jays' second touchdown of the game.
With the Jays in the red zone and trying to close a 21-7 deficit, Chris Mills churns those legs and is taken down short of the goalline.
Kalija Lipscomb gets the Jays a first down and almost breaks loose..
Blue Jays in the student section whoop it up in the 3rd quarter.
Crew Jacobs kicks off for the Jays to start the second half.
Ponchatoula's quarterback gave the Jays fits throughout the game and proved elusive as ever, as safety Dillon Knight discovers.
Linebackers Mitchell Melito (38) and Robert Lobrano chase Ponchatoula's quarterback, Christian Campbell.
With Corey Dublin looking to block anybody who tries to get close, running back Chris Mills scampers through a hole for a pickup of a few yards.
Jakirai Wiley returns a punt some 35 yards to give Jesuit excellent field position midway through the 1st quarter.
Wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb picks up short yardage on this pass from quarterback Trey LaForge.