Triumphant Jays Tell St. Thomas No More

Posted November 22, 2014 / Last updated November 28, 2014

Here Come the Blue Jays, There Go the Cougars

Charles Jackson picks up a first down and gets picked up in the process.

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The Blue Jays, seeded 6 in the Division 1 state playoffs, came to Cougar Stadium ready and fired up to play third-seeded St. Thomas More. For four quarters, the two rivals gave fans their money’s worth, and more. But in the end, the Jays were the ones who cashed in, caging the Cougars, 20-13.

Jesuit’s defense had an outstanding game. Robert Lobrano (55), Harrison Daste (39), and Mark Beebe (22), along with two other Jays, trap this Cougar runner.

For St. Thomas More (9-2), there are no more… playoffs, that is. Jesuit (10-2) advances to the semifinals, a rematch against Archbishop Rummel next Saturday, November 29 at Tad Gormley Stadium. Kickoff is 6 p.m.

Towards the end of the first quarter, Jesuit’s Charles Jackson scored on a short run to put the Jays on the scoreboard first. Crew Jacobs hit two of three extra points. The Jays stifled the Cougars, a team used to scoring 40 or more points in their games, for nearly the entire first half. But the home team put up six (the PAT failed) just before the half.

The Jays took advantage of several Cougar miscues, including two fumble recoveries and an interception by safety Mark Beebe. Trey LaForge completed a long pass to Malachi Hull to set up the Jays’ second touchdown, a short burst up the middle by Hunt Robert, who crashed through the Cougars’ defensive line at the goal. Jacobs missed the PAT, but the Jays were leading, 13-6.

Faster than the stadium announcer could say “First down, COOOOOO-Gars,” the home team tied the game at 13-13.

The final drive by the Jays covered some 80 yards and was torn from the page of a football textbook. Perfect execution, big plays made at critical junctions, and playing smart – the Jays kept their poise through the entire game – fueled Jesuit. When it became crunch time, Trey LaForge handed off to Hunt Robert, who scored his second TD from a couple of yards out.

“Our offense executed well and our defense played great,” said Coach Mark Songy. “To come in here and hold this team to 13 points is quite an accomplishment. I couldn’t be prouder of our team. They gave it everything they had. They bounced back after making some mistakes. I’m real happy for them.”

LHSAA Division 1 Playoff Brackets

Nola.com: Fans react to Jesuit’s 20-13 victory against St. Thomas More

N.O. Advocate: Jesuit Topples St. Thomas More

Galleries

Football 2014 (Week 12, Quarterfinals State Playoffs); Jesuit vs. St. Thomas More in Lafayette, Friday, November 21

... Robert's touchdown with 2 minutes left on the clock gives the Jays a 20-13 lead that holds up. Robert scores his second TD of the game and his ninth touchdown of the season.
... Hull catches the ball on the 15-yard line and sprints toward the goal line. A Cougar defender catches him at the last second...
... Hull lunges toward the goal and as he hits the turf, the ball pops out. The refs ruled Hull was down by contact and placed the ball on the goal line.
Hunt Robert takes the handoff from Trey LaForge and darts through the huge hole on the right side of the line opened by Emerson Wenzel (79) and Foster Moreau (82), The touchdown with three minutes left in the 3rd quarter puts the Jays ahead, 13-6.
Addie Arvidson, the mother of senior Braxton Callais, rings her cowbell to stir up the other Jesuit parents who made the trip to Lafayette.
Mark Beebe (22), Justin Helm (14), and Harrison Daste (39) triple-team the Cougar receiver...
... The coverage pays off as Beebe gets a hand on the ball and Daste hits the Cougar with timely precision...
... The Cougar can't hold on to the ball (barely seen over his shoulder), while Daste experiences the brunt of gravity pulling his teammates back to earth.
The Cougar quarterback escapes the initial rush, but is quickly surrounded by Mitchell Melito (38), Jakarai Wiley (4), Robert Lobrano (55), and Hunt Robert (51). Who ends up tackling him?...
... The Cougar QB is finally dragged down by linebacker Mitchell Melito (on the ground) with help from Dillon Knight (28), who comes up from his cornerback position.
With 3 minutes left to play and the score tied, 13-13, the Jays embark on an explosive 80-yard drive that brings them to the Cougars' 5-yard line. Who gets the call, but Hunt Robert. He bowls over one defender, but is not in the end zone just yet...
... Robert appears to be stopped shy of the goal line...
... But Robert is not yet finished as a huge second and third effort puts him over the goal line...
Trey LaForge throws a bomb to wide receiver Malachi Hull...
As the ref signals touchdown, the Jays celebrate.
Harrison Daste holds, Foster Moreau blocks, and Crew Jacobs splits the uprights for the extra point...
... The Cougars draw a roughing the kicker penalty which is assessed on the ensuing kickoff.
The clock ticks off the seconds and the Blue Jays begin to celebrate.
The two teams meet on the field after the game.
The Jays played a great game and amassed 402 yards in total offense, including 230 on the ground and 172 in the air. The Jays' defense held the Cougars to 249 yards total offense: 64 rushing and 185 passing.
The Jesuit Cheerleaders sing the Alma Mater.
The front line of the Jays stand tall, proud, and happy during the singing of the Alma Mater.
Dylan Knight (28) couldn't have asked for a better outcome on his 18th birthday. HBDK!
Blue Jay fans in the student section are proud of their team.
After the game, Coach Mark Songy congratulates the team. The Jays will play Archbishop Rummel on Saturday, Nov. 29 at Tad Gormley Stadium. Kickoff for the semifinal game is 6 p.m.
Chris Mills protects the ball on one of his 16 rushing attempts. The senior gained 94 yards on the ground and also caught one pass for 11 yards.
Flanked by referees from the Shreveport area, the Jesuit captains - quarterback Trey LaForge, defensive lineman/ fullback Hunter Robert, tight end Foster Moreau, and cornerback Dillon Knight - wait to walk to mid-field to meet their opponents for the coin toss... which the Jays won.
On the opening play from scrimmage, quarterback Trey LaForge throws a quick screen pass to wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb. who outfoxes the Cougar defenders and races down the sideline for a pick-up of 48 yards.
Charles Jackson picks up a first down before being stopped by one of the Cougar linebackers.
A scaled-down Blue Jay Marching Band cranks it up.
Charles Jackson hurdles a Cougar defender on one of his 17 attempts carrying the ball. He ran for 119 yards against the Cougars.
Tight end Alex Rabalais makes a nice catch for a 12-yard gain and a first down.
After Charles Jackson (9) skirts end for the Jays' first touchdown, he celebrates with Foster Moreau as offensive lineman Emerson Wenzel, who opened several holes on the drive, is next in line.
Facing fourth and long, the Cougars are forced to punt. But the ball is muffed, and before the Cougar kicker blinks, Chris Mills (25) and Mitchell Melito are all over him.
Jesuit's defense had an outstanding game. Robert Lobrano (55), Harrison Daste (39), and Mark Beebe (22), along with two other Jays, trap this Cougar runner.
Tight end Foster Moreau and his defender leap high for the ball...
... Instead, the ball is deflected into the waiting arms of another Cougar, who is eventually brought down by quarterback Trey LaForge.
Safety Mark Beebe (22) evens it up with an interception at the Blue Jays' goal line.
Minutes before the kickoff, Coach Mark Songy has the Blue Jays focused on the job at hand.
Robert Lobrano (55) and Jakirai Wiley team up to bring down this Cougar runner.
Chris Mills high-steps through an opening created by Alex Rabalais (left) and left guard Corey Dublin (74).
The Cougar cheerleaders pay a courtesy visit to the Jesuit side where some fun competition is staged for the crowd. Blue Jay cheerleader Tyrus Norcise '16 has a turn showing his gymnastic ability.
At halftime, senior Jack Burk spends a few minutes with Jesuit cheerleader Riley Reynolds, a junior at Mt. Carmel.
Cornerback Jakirai Wiley takes a stiff arm to his face mask, and with the arrival of Mitchell Melito (38), shoves the Cougar runner out of bounds.
Robert Lobrano takes down this Cougar behind the line of scrimmage and at the same time forces a fumble. Lobrano had 10 solo tackles and five assists. He caused this fumble and deflected a pass, all of which factored into Nola.com's decision to recognize the senior middle linebacker as a Player of the Week. Meanwhile...
... A mad scramble for the loose ball ensues at Jesuit's 20-yard line. The Jays - Osman Torres (91), Robert Lobrano (55), Mitchell Melito (38), Jonathan Giardina (43), and Mark Beebe (22) - all indicate it's their ball, but no official word yet...
... Last one up with the ball safely tucked away is the Blue Jays' defensive lineman/ fullback Hunt Robert (51). It's official: Jays' ball.
Foster Moreau had two receptions, including this one for 19 yards, before being ridden down by a couple of Cougars.
Trey LaForge attempted 19 passes and completed an even dozen for 172 yards. Here in the 3rd quarter, he throws a short one to Kalija Lipscomb...
... But Lipscomb can't shake this Cougar loose at mid-field. Lipscomb had 6 catches for 71 yards.