Linemen-Led Jays Push Past St. Aug in Final Seconds, 28-21

Posted September 24, 2018 / Last updated September 25, 2018

Friday, Sept. 28: The Great American Rivalry Series game will air live at
CrescentCitySports.com and on Cox Sports Television (CST).

Unless they recover a fumble for a touchdown, the big guys up front never get their names on the score sheet. They rarely make the headlines and almost always have the dirtiest jerseys.

Jesuit’s offensive and defensive linemen, however, sealed the deal in Saturday night’s district-opening 28-21 victory over St. Augustine at Tad Gormley Stadium. Senior running back Brayton Whittington, who scored the game-winning touchdown from nine yards out, noted himself that he “followed the blockers…and they just pushed me in.” Linemen Brian Balestra, Jack Juge, Jacob Kieff, Max McMahon, and Patrick Motes were backed up by tight ends Aaron Alonzo, Zach Charneco, and Win Schibler in executing their blocking assignments on the game-winner. McMahon and Kieff, joined by Alonzo, were the first ones to add to the momentum and push Whittington past St. Aug defenders and into the end zone.

After the go-ahead score, it was Perry Ganci‘s sack on 2nd down that preserved the victory and prevented St. Aug from a miracle play. Ganci, the defensive lineman who slowed down the explosive Knights with 13 tackles and three sacks, was named NOLA.com’s Player of the Game. Jimbo Hotard added eight tackles, and sophomore safety Tripp Haddad also added a key sack.

(WATCH) CrescentCitySports.com | Full-Game Replay

Through the Lens…

The crowd goes wild during the game-winning drive!

View the Photo Gallery of the Jesuit-St. Aug Football Game

By the Numbers…

Jesuit: 279 yards of total offense (126 rushing, 153 passing)
St. Augustine: 220 yards of total offense (99 rushing, 121 passing)

Passing: Robert McMahon, 10-17, 153 yards, 1 TD
Rushing: Willie Robinson, 9-38, 1 TD; Brayton Whittington, 11-58, 1 TD; Robert McMahon, 15-56
Receiving: Noah Varnado, 5-95; Will Moran, 1-16; Luke Besh, 3-22; Luke LaForge, 1-20, 1 TD

Scoring Summary

FIRST QUARTER		JHS	St. Aug
	FG 6:21 Max Scheurich 40-yard Field Goal	3	0
SECOND QUARTER
	TD 10:46 Mahmood Bailey 5-yd pass from Trevon Woodson Jaron Marks III kick	3	7
	TD 6:54 Willie Robinson 4-yd run Max Scheurich kick	10	7
	TD 5:18 Albert Quest 25-yd run Jaron Marks III kick	10	14
	TD 2:40 Luke LaForge 20-yd pass from Robert McMahon Max Scheurich kick	17	14
THIRD QUARTER – NO SCORING		17	14
FOURTH QUARTER
	FG 6:05 Max Scheurich 29-yd Field Goal	20	14
	TD 1:48 Broderick Martin 6-yd pass from Trevon Woodson Jaron Marks III kick	20	21
	TD 0:48 Brayton Whittington 9-yd run Win Schibler pass from Robert McMahon (2-pt. conversion)	28	21

In Their Words…

“The 12th man was definitely there tonight,” senior running back Brayton Whittington said after the game, giving a nod to the student section. “Moments like these make me proud to come to this school. That’s what Jesuit’s all about.”

Senior quarterback Robert McMahon added complimentary words about the Blue Jay student section and fans, saying, “They give us energy all the time. When they’re all here, I love it.”

On the Horizon…

For the 99th meeting of the Great American Rivalry game, Jesuit (3-1, 1-0) will face Holy Cross on Friday night at 7:00 p.m at Tad Gormley Stadium. Click this link to see more info on the pregame festivities.

Galleries

Week 4: Jesuit (28) vs. St. Augustine (21), Tad Gormley Stadium, Sept. 22, 2018

Senior cheerleader Sara Gaspard leads the fans in a cheer before kickoff.
Defensive end Perry Ganci dives to make the tackle and gets help from...
...other Blue Jay defenders as the group brings the St. Aug running back down.
While the defense is on the field, offensive linemen Jack Juge and Brian Balestra review assignments from last drive.
Defensive tackle Owen Melville chases the ball carrier down to make the tackle.
Perry Ganci sacks the Purple Knight quarterback with help from linebacker Marc Dougherty and safety Cameron Helm.
The Blue Jay defense stacks the line .
Quarterback Robert McMahon completes a pass to sophomore wide receiver Luke Besh for a first down. Moments later, ...
...senior running back Willie Robinson scores on a 4-yard run, bringing the Jays back on top, 10-7. Lineman Patrick Motes helps Robinson get back on his feet.
The Gizzard cheers after the go-ahead score.
Wide receiver Noah Varnado catches a well-thrown ball along the sideline.
Robert McMahon escapes defenders, steps up in the pocket, and delivers a dime to...
...sophomore receiver Luke LaForge for a touchdown!
The outstanding catch gives Jesuit a halftime lead, 17-14.
LaForge celebrates with fellow receiver, Noah Varnado.
(Top row, from left) Abigail Herbert, Rene Guillot, Elly Gillen, and Maddy Cusachs with (bottom row, from left) Abigail Clement, Caroline Sauter, and Savannah Fields gather on the track before the halftime show.
Band director Joe Caluda and Jayettes moderator Susan deBoisblanc get ready for the halftime show.
Following the halftime show, the Blue Jay drumline moves to the track to entertain the student section.
McMahon rolls to the left and looks for a man downfield.
Running back Willie Robinson stiff-arms the defender and gains even more yards for a crucial first down.
Varnado makes another grab in the fourth quarter. He ends the game with five receptions for 95 yards.
Advancement director Tom Bagwill and Jesuit president Fr. Christopher Fronk, S.J., enjoy the final minutes of the back-and-forth game.
With a minute remaining, the crowd goes wild after a huge run by quarterback Robert McMahon.
Offensive linemen Max McMahon push running back Brayton Whittington into the endzone for the game-winning touchdown!
Whittington hands the ball to the referee after his 9-yard run.
Tight end/fullback Win Schibler slips to the flat and catches a pass for the 2-point conversion.

Jesuit High School of New Orleans

Linemen-Led Jays Push Past St. Aug in Final Seconds, 28-21