In Spring Practice Game, Blue Jays Put on a Show, But Have a Long Way to Go
Photo by Mike McMahon ’85
Rising senior tailback Charles Jackson (7) takes a handoff from quarterback Trey LaForge in a spring practice game the Jays played at Tad Gormley Stadium on Tuesday, May 14 against Northshore.
A spring practice game that Jesuit played on Tuesday, May 14 against the Northshore Panthers yielded a variety of reactions — not all of them wrapped in grimaces and frowns — from Blue Jay head coach Wayde Keiser ’78.
One of the more positive outcomes from the two-hour glorified scrimmage was rising senior tailback Charles Jackson, whose hard running was duly noted by the coaches as well as the parents in the spectators’ gallery. Jackson finished with 68 yards rushing and an additional 48 yards in receptions.
Trey LaForge, the Blue Jays’ rising senior quarterback, completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Zimmer, another rising senior, during the timed period of the game. LaForge threw for more than 150 yards.
“We did some things well and found some areas where we need work,” said Keiser at the conclusion of the game. “That is what spring training is all about. If we’re going to compete in the fall, we’re going to have to get better, and with hard work this summer, we will.”
On National Signing Day, Senior Tanner Lee Commits to Tulane University
With his parents, Kimberly and Phillip, and Head Football Coach Wayde Keiser looking on, senior Tanner Lee signs his National Letter of Intent to play football at Tulane University.
Surrounded by family and friends, Tanner Lee – one of Louisiana’s top quarterbacks – signed a scholarship Wednesday, February 6, 2013, to play football at Tulane.
Over a three year period, the 6’-4” 192 lb. signal caller helped lead the Blue Jays to a combined 30-8 overall record, which includes a 9-3 district mark and three trips to the state playoffs. During that period Lee completed 245-of-415 passes (.590) for 3,984 yards, 39 touchdowns and nine interceptions. The team won the District 9-5A title in 2011, Lee’s junior season.
“Tulane is getting a young man who has the physical and mental tools to succeed at the next level,” said Jesuit Head Coach Wayde Keiser, a 1978 Jesuit alumnus. “He was an outstanding leader for Jesuit and I have no doubt he will be an outstanding leader for Coach Curtis Johnson at Tulane.”
The three-year letterman won numerous awards in 2012 after completing 118-of-218 passes (.541) for 2,364 yards during a season in which Lee threw 25 touchdowns and only two interceptions. He completed 23-of-32 passes for a school-record 552 yards and seven touchdowns in a 56-49 victory over Archbishop Shaw on September 17, 2012.
Lee is rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com and a two-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com, and Scout.com.
Blue Jay Shines at 2013 Lake Pontchartrain All-Star Football Classic
Senior Tanner Lee
Congratulations to senior Tanner Lee for his strong performance this past Saturday night (February 2) at the 2013 Lake Pontchartrain All-Star Football Classic at the newly refurbished Joe Brown Park in New Orleans East.
Tanner threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns to lead Orleans Parish to victory over Jefferson Parish, 28-19.
Joining Tanner in Orleans Parish’s win were fellow teammates and classmates seniors Jacob Campos, Andrew Joseph, and Patrick Tullier.
Four Blue Jays Named to the Orleans - Jefferson Parish All-Star Football Game
Senior Tanner Lee to Receive Recognition at Super Bowl Activity
Senior Jacob Campos
Senior Andrew Joseph
Senior Tanner Lee
Senior Patrick Tullier
Congratulations to seniors Jacob Campos, Andrew Joseph, Tanner Lee, and Patrick Tullier for being named to the 2013 Orleans vs. Jefferson Parish All-Star Football Game. The game will played this Saturday, February 2.
Also, congratulates to senior Tanner Lee for being for receiving one of the 14 Fritz Pollard Alliance-Johnnie L. Cochran Salute to Excellence Awards that will be given this week during the Super Bowl activities. Tanner will receive this award this Thursday night at the Fritz Pollard award ceremonies.
Jesuit Football Athletes Recognized by Louisiana Sports Writers
Senior Mitchell Alexander (1) Honorable Mention: Wide Receiver
Senior Andrew Joseph (48) Honorable Mention: Defensive Line
Senior Tanner Lee (12) Honorable Mention: Quarterback
Senior Patrick Tullier (70) Honorable Mention: Offensive Guard
Congratulations to these senior Varsity Football players for being selected to the Louisiana Sports Writers 5-A All state Football team. All were selected Honorable Mention all state.
Mitch Alexander (Wide Receiver), Andrew Joseph (Defensive Line), Tanner Lee (Quarterback), and Patrick Tullier (Offensive Line)
In a Defensive Battle, Blue Jays Are Dealt a Tough Loss on the Road by the Vikings of Airline, 10-7
2012 Season Finale Arrives Before Its Time: Thanks for the Memories, Blue Jays!
The Blue Jays, players and fans alike, sing the Jesuit Alma Mater for the final time this football season, which came to an abrupt end some 328 miles away in Bossier City on Friday evening (November 16). The Jays had their backs to the wall against the Airline Vikings and were dealt a tough loss, 10-7, perhaps made more acute by simply thinking about the possibilities during the long road trip back home. Shutout 10-0 midway through the fourth quarter, Jesuit finally scored when senior running back Kalan Minnard scampered four yards for his — and the team’s — final touchdown of the season. The Jays ended their 2012 season with an 8-3 record. Congratulations to the team for all of the great memories!
Senior Zac Creel was named the ABC 26 Scholar Athlete of the Week and featured on Ed Daniels’s Friday Night Football show (November 16).
Jesuit fans posted updates on the game via Twitter.
Week 1: Bi-District Playoffs Blue Jays Find Their Mojo and Dish It Right Back to West Jeff, Stopping the Bucs, 31-21
Jays Now Focus on Playing Airline in Bossier City Next Friday (November 16)
Jesuit sophomore running back Charles Jackson has some running room but is brought down short of the goal during third quarter action in Saturday’s (November 10) rematch against West Jeff at Tad Gormley Stadium. Jesuit defeated West Jeff, 31-21, avenging last week’s 24-17 loss while eliminating the Bucs from the playoffs. Jesuit must travel on Friday (November 16) to Bossier City to play Airline, the number six seed in the playoffs.
Week 9 Blue Jays Take It on the Chin Against the Buccaneers, But Fate May Have the Two Teams Meeting Again in the Playoffs
Senior wide receiver Mitch Alexander makes this terrific catch late in the Jesuit - West Jeff game that was played Saturday morning (November 3) at Tad Gormley Stadium. Two of Alexander’s catches from quarterback Tanner Lee were touchdowns. Jesuit freshman Crew Jacobs kicked two extra points and a field goal. (Photo by Jesuit parent and alumnus Ken Boe ’84)
The Blue Jays’ final district game of the regular season ended with Jesuit on the short end of the score, 24-17, marking the team’s second consecutive loss. As fate would have it, Jesuit may have the rare opportunity to avenge the loss when the first round of playoffs begin next weekend. The Jays are most likely the #11 seed and West Jeff the #22 seed, meaning that Jesuit, for a second consecutive week, will host the Bucs at Tad Gormley. Stay tuned!
Week 8 Two Unbeaten Rivals Slug It Out On the Gridiron, But Blue Jays Sustain an Ever So Slight Pummel by Rummel, 38-17
Raiders End Jesuit’s 17-Regular Game Winning Streak Before Large Crowd at Joe Yenni Stadium
On the first play from scrimmage for the Blue Jays, senior quarterback Tanner Lee throws a perfect strike to senior wide receiver Matt Hackney, who is off to the races, outrunning the Raiders’ secondary and scoring an 80-yard touchdown. The Jesuit fans went wild with excitement while the Rummel side of the field stood in stunned silence. The fifth-ranked Jays fought a valiant skirmish against Rummel on Saturday, October 27 at Joe Yenni Stadium, but the top-ranked Raiders won this battle, which was a lot closer than the final score of 38-17.
The Jesuit - Rummel game was recorded for a broadcast that will air on Tuesday (October 30) at 8 p.m. on WHNO-TV (Channel 20).
Week 7 In Their Homecoming Game Against Brother Martin, the Blue Jays Deliver a Whallop, 31-6
Jesuit senior running back Kalan Minnard scores in a third quarter touchdown against Brother Martin in the Blue Jays’ 31-6 Homecoming win on Saturday, October 20. Tanner Lee passed for 218 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense forced three turnovers. Other standouts that night included: freshman kicker Crew Jacobs, who made a 31-yard field goal as time expired in the first-half; senior cornerback William Wall, whose interception and return set up a touchdown run by sophomore running back Charles Jackson; and senior running back Mitchell Alexander, who had caught four passes for 163 yards and the two touchdowns in the first half.
The Blue Jays return to action on Saturday, October 27 when they take on the Rummel Raiders. Kickoff for that matchup is slated for 7 p.m. at Joe Yenni Stadium. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
Missed the Jesuit-Brother Martin Homecoming game? It will be broadcast on WHNO TV, Channel 20, on Tuesday, October 23 at 8 p.m.
Week 6 Blue Jays Travel to Franklinton and Return Home With a 35-3 Win
Photo by Ken Boe ’84
Jesuit senior running back Kalan Minnard picks up a chunk of yardage in the Blue Jays’ 35-3 win over Franklinton on Friday, October 12. Jesuit’s offensive line opened up canyons for its running backs to dart through while the defense stifled the Demons. The Jays now focus this coming week on 1st quarter exams and their Homecoming game Saturday night (October 20) against the Brother Martin Crusaders. Back-to-Banks, from 3-6 p.m. at Jesuit, precedes the kickoff between the rivals at 7:30 p.m. at Tad Gormley Stadium.
The game will be streamed live and broadcast on WHNO TV, Channel 20, on Tuesday, October 23 at 8 p.m.
Pre-sale ticket prices are $6 each for adults and non-Jesuit students, and $3 each for children (ages 6-11). Pre-sale tickets will be sold at the switchboard daily from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., on Friday in the student commons during lunch, and on Saturday at Back to Banks from 4 - 5 p.m. Tickets purchased at the gate are $8 each. Student and faculty IDs and season passes will be accepted at the gate.
Week 5 Opening District Game Is a Big Hoot as Blue Jays Fly Past the Chalmette Owls, 35-7
Senior defensive back Josh DeBlieux (24), with the help of senior Ryan Helm (26), tackles an Owl in the Blue Jays’ district-opening game against Chalmette on Friday (October 5) at Bobby Nuss Stadium in St. Bernard Parish. The Blue Jays came out strong and scored on their first possession, a nine-play, 75-yard drive capped with a 10-yard touchdown reception by senior tight end Jacob Meariman.
The 2012 Jesuit football team will play Franklinton on Friday (October 12) with kickoff at 7 p.m. at the Demons’ home stadium.
Pre-sale ticket prices are $5 each for adults, students, and children (ages 6-11). A limited number of pre-sale tickets will be on sale at the switchboard daily from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets will be sold during lunch on Friday in the Student Commons. Tickets purchased at the gate are $6 each. Student and faculty IDs, as well as season passes, will not be accepted at the gate for this non-district game.
Week 4 On the Ground and from the Air, Blue Jays Drop Touchdown Bombs All Over the Patriots
Undefeated Jays Keep John Ehret Patriots Winless, 44-12
Sophomore running back Malcolm Ben picks up yardage in the third quarter of Jesuit’s non-district game against John Ehret on Thursday (September 27) at Hoss Memtsas Stadium on the West Bank. Ben was tripped up on the play but still manages to stretch for a first down. Ben was one of two workhorses, picking up 87 yards on 15 carries and scoring two touchdowns. His teammate, senior running back Kalan Minnard, finished with 16 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown. Senior quarterback Tanner Lee three for three touchdowns, all in the first half. Jesuit opens district play on Friday (October 5) when the team travels down to the parish of St. Bernard where the Blue Jays and Owls will kickoff at 7 p.m.
Week 3 Jays Cruise by Cavaliers in Archbishop Hannan Classic
Jesuit Routs the Cavs, 42-7
Photo by Ken Boe ’84
The Blue Jays came on strong Friday afternoon in their non-district match up against De La Salle at Tad Gormley Stadium. Senior quarterback Tanner Lee went 7-for-8 for 141 yards and two touchdowns in six offensive series, while senior running back Kalan Minnard led the Jesuit rushing attack racking up 145 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
The Blue Jays return to action on Thursday, September 27 when they take on the John Ehret Patriots. Kickoff for that matchup is at 6:30 p.m. in Hoss Memtsas Stadium. Pre-sale ticket prices are $6 each for adults, students, and children (ages 6-11). A limited number of pre-sale tickets are available at the switchboard through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Thursday in the Student Commons at lunch. Tickets purchased at the gate are $8 each. Student and faculty IDs and season passes will not be accepted at the gate for this non-district contest.
Week 2 Blue Jays “Hack” Into Shaw’s Defense with Winning TD in Final Seconds, Snatching a 56-49 Win from Eagles’ Beaks
Senior quarterback Tanner Lee was named “Metro Player of the Week” for his spectacular performance in last Saturday’s thrilling 56-49 win over Archbishop Shaw. Lee was 23-of-32 for 552 yards and seven touchdowns, four of which landed in the hands of senior wide receiver Matt Hackney. Lee also tossed TD passes to Mitch Alexander, senior wide receiver Dontayue Fly, and sophomore tight end Foster Moreau. Freshman kicker Crew Jacobs added six extra points and hit two field goals. A two-point conversion after Jesuit’s last TD was good. The Blue Jays take on the Cavaliers of De La Salle in the Archbishop Hannan Classic this Friday afternoon at Tad Gormley. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on WRBH 88.3 FM.
Benny the Bear: Assistant Coach Benny Baptiste lifts senior Matt Hackney in exhilaration after the wide receiver caught his third touchdown pass in the second quarter. Hackney was not done yet as he hauled in a Tanner Lee pass in the final seconds to score the winning TD.
Blue Jays Cross the River to Play Shaw Eagles on Saturday Afternoon (September 15) at Hoss Memtsas Stadium
Senior Trey Legier (80), who almost blocked this attempted field goal in last week’s 21-7 win over Holy Cross, is one of Jesuit’s stalwart defensive backs who will be tested this weekend. The Jays and the Eagles kickoff at 2 p.m. at Hoss Memstas Stadium on the West Bank in a non-district game. Fans who cannot attend can listen to a live radio broadcast of the game on WRBH-88.3 FM. The station will also stream the audio of the broadcast on its web site.
Week 1 In Season Opener, Blue Jays Are All Business in Caging the Tigers
The Two Teams’ 93rd Meeting on the Gridiron
Just minutes before kickoff in Friday night’s (September 7) big prep event featuring Jesuit and Holy Cross, fans fill both sides of Tad Gormley Stadium. As the home team this year, Blue Jay fans are on the right.
Watch a Video of the Alumnus Chris Markey ’04, this Year’s Legend of the Game, Speak to the Morning Assembly
Jamboree Week Blue Jay Football Season Opener Is Cancelled
Blue Jays Soar Past Bonnabel Bruins in Kiwanis Jamboree
Photo by senior Thomas Echols
After a rocky start caused by a rain delay, the Jays pulled ahead of the Bruins and cruised to a 34-7 pre-season win. Jesuit’s victory over Bonnabel was cut short in the second half due to an electrical problem caused by the afternoon thunderstorm that delayed the start of the game. The season opener against Hahnville scheduled for Thursday, August 30 has been cancelled.
