Jesuit Closes 2015 Regular Season Play Against Brother Martin on Friday, Nov. 6, at Tad Gormley Stadium with a 7 PM Kickoff

Malachi Hull peels off the yardage on a punt return.

View the Photo Gallery of the Jesuit – Franklinton Game

On the eve of Halloween, the Blue Jays went trick or treating in the dairy country of Washington Parish.  In Franklinton, some 70 miles from Carrollton and Banks, the Jays ignored ghosts, goonies, and gremlins. They steered clear of imps, phantoms, and moon pies. They did find an abundance of spirits – of the Blue Jay type – and plenty of Demons, lots of those devilish, daring, daunting Demons.

Bryce Musso catches a pass from Peter Hontas for Jesuit’s third touchdown. It was his second TD catch of the game.

In playing Jesuit for only the third time, the Franklinton Demons were hoping to avenge two previous losses to the Jays in 2011 (40-6) and 2012 (35-3). The Demons, a team that is expected to win or share the District 8-4A prize, own a potent offense that averages 33 points per game. Their defense holds opponents to about 13 points per game, no doubt due to large linemen who are as difficult to push around as stubborn mules.

To their chagrin, the Demons discovered that the Blue Jays also can be as cantankerous as bulls in a cow pasture. The Jays made it 3-0 against Franklinton after winning Friday night’s game, 19-14. Jesuit quarterback Peter Hontas threw three touchdown passes, including a pair to wide receiver Bryce Musso and one to Kalija Lipscomb. Just as importantly as putting up points, the Jays’ defense did its job and corked the Demons’ high-scoring offense machine. The victory against Franklinton improves Jesuit’s overall record to 4-5.

Owen Melville, a big freshman lineman, gets in the face of the Demons’ quarterback on this pass play.

Hontas said afterwards that Franklinton’s defense was a little different from the ones that Jesuit is used to seeing when playing teams in the Catholic League. “They’re a tough defense, did a lot of blitzing, they schemed us well, and they’re well-coached,” said the Jays’ senior quarterback. “Our offensive squad did a good job of picking up those blitzes and they gave us enough time to make plays on the outside.”

Coach Mark Songy echoed Hontas in noting that the Demons are a very talented team. “We’re getting a little better and hitting our stride,” said Coach Songy. “I think our guys did everything they were supposed to do tonight to win. To hold Franklinton to 14 points, as explosive as they are, is a credit to our defense. Offensively, we certainly controlled the first half. They have a good defense and we had some trouble in the second half. We put all three phases of the game together and got a little bit better.”

Crew Jacobs may have been robbed of an extra point after the first touchdown. Referees ruled his kick no good, but the video should tell the real story. After Jesuit’s second touchdown, they failed in attempting a two-point conversion. Jacobs kicked the only PAT after the third touchdown, hence the 19 points.

Kalija Lipscomb catches a pass and runs untouched into the end zone for a touchdown.

The Blue Jays close out regular season play Friday, Nov. 6, against Brother Martin. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Tad Gormley Stadium. As the home team, Jesuit will be on the Marconi Drive side of the stadium. Student and faculty IDs will be accepted for admission. Otherwise, cost of tickets purchased before the game is $6 for adults and $3 for children (ages 6-11). Jesuit’s switchboard will be selling tickets all week from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tickets purchased at the gate are $8 each for adults and children.

“As for Brother Martin, we’ll worry about them tomorrow,” said Coach Songy. “They’re obviously a really fine football team. Their loss to Rummel (59-27) is not indicative of the type of team the Crusaders are. We’ll have our hands full, but we’re excited to be playing them.”

Read More…

The New Orleans Advocate: Jesuit holds off Franklinton 19-14 in non-district play