Football opened the 2026 season with a 28-20 victory over Madison Prep on Thursday night at Tad Gormley Stadium. The Blue Jays used a two-quarterback attack, timely defensive stops, and several explosive plays through the air to secure their first win of the season.

Before kickoff, seniors alongside their parents were recognized on the field. The pregame tradition honored a group that will help lead the Jays through a challenging schedule that includes several of the state’s top programs. The Blue Jay Marching Band, Jayettes, cheerleaders, and The Gizzard were also back at Tad Gormley, bringing plenty of energy to the stands and sidelines for the first game of the season.

The season opener was broadcast live by Crescent City Sports, with Johnny Giavotella ’05, Jesuit’s head of sports development, providing color commentary for the game. Giavotella returned to Carrollton & Banks this summer in a newly established role focused on the development of Jesuit’s student-athletes and athletic programs.

Head football coach Ryan Manale entered the season looking forward to seeing how his team would develop throughout the fall.

“Really excited to see this team grow as the season goes on,” Manale said. “Prayers for a healthy season, and it is important to get off to a great start.”

That start came behind junior quarterbacks Sully Sullivan and Mani Vandenweghe III, who shared time behind center throughout the night. Both entered the season among Jesuit’s key returning players.

Vandenweghe struck first, capping a 41-yard opening drive with a two-yard touchdown run to give the Blue Jays a 7-0 lead. Madison Prep answered in the second quarter to tie the game before Sullivan connected with senior Hayes Mestayer over the middle for a 28-yard touchdown with just over a minute remaining in the half. Vandenweghe then made his presence felt on defense, intercepting a Hail Mary attempt on the final play of the second quarter to send the Jays into halftime with a 14-7 advantage.

After Madison Prep tied the game again late in the third quarter, Sullivan and Mestayer delivered the biggest play of the night. Sullivan found Mestayer down the sideline for a 71-yard touchdown early in the fourth, putting Jesuit back in front, 21-14. The defense responded when Madison Prep threatened to tie the game once again. With the Chargers inside the Jays’ five-yard line, junior linebacker Julian Alvarado broke into the backfield and forced a fumble. Senior Austin Guedry recovered the ball with just under five minutes remaining.

Jesuit remained aggressive following the turnover. Sullivan connected with senior Ja’ir Burks, entering the season as one of the Blue Jays’ top returning players and a Tulane commit, for a 40-yard gain before finding sophomore Grant LeBeouf on third and long. LeBeouf took the pass the rest of the way for a 30-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 28-14 with 2:55 remaining.

Madison Prep scored once more to cut the lead to 28-20, but Vandenweghe picked up two key runs on Jesuit’s final possession to allow the Blue Jays to run out the clock.

Sullivan finished 15-of-26 for 277 yards and three touchdowns, while Vandenweghe led the Jays on the ground with 71 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. Mestayer hauled in two touchdown receptions, and the Blue Jay defense forced the game’s only two turnovers.

The season-opening performance provided an encouraging first look at a team preparing to navigate another demanding schedule. The Blue Jays once again compete in the Catholic League, and Manale expects Jesuit’s schedule could include as many as six teams ranked among the top 10 in the state. Rather than shy away from that challenge, Manale sees it as an opportunity for the Jays to continue closing the gap against some of Louisiana’s best programs.

“All our guys have put in great work, both through school service trips and on the football field,” Manale said. “It’s all part of the journey in becoming the man that God has created them to be.”

Preparation for that challenge extended beyond the football field this summer. With players participating in Jesuit service trips, the entire team was not together for a full week during the offseason. For Manale, those experiences remain an important part of the program’s larger purpose and Jesuit’s emphasis on forming student-athletes whose growth extends beyond competition. That emphasis on character, accountability, resilience, and leadership is central to the football program’s stated mission.

With the first win secured, the Blue Jays now turn their attention to another early-season test. Jesuit travels to face St. Thomas More on Friday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m.

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