Malcolm Up the Middle

Posted September 28, 2013 / Last updated October 2, 2013

Senior defensive end Jack Hebert pounces on this Tiger fumble, ending a Pensacola drive deep in Jesuit territory. The play essentially sparked the Jays and made them roar.

Pensacola brought the beach to Tad Gormley Stadium on Friday evening and the Blue Jays must have felt like they were frolicking in the sand, sending the Tigers back home with a 28-7 spanking. In the renewal of a fierce interstate rivalry between the two teams, the Jays looked sluggish for most of the first quarter, as if they were running on soft sand wearing heavy boots. The Tigers showed up to play football and their defense initially stymied Jesuit’s offense while Pensacola’s offense kept the Jays’ defense off balance and guessing.

The Blue Jays didn’t begin to roar until senior defensive lineman Jack Hebert recovered a Tiger fumble that ended a lengthy drive deep in Jesuit’s territory. The fumble recovery ignited the Jays’ offense which effectively kicked a few buckets of sand at the Tigers.

Jesuit’s junior workhorse, running back Malcolm Ben, carried the offensive load and even pulled off a “hat trick” of sorts by scoring three touchdowns. A fourth TD was scored by junior tight end Alex Rabalais, who was wide open in the end zone when quarterback Trey LaForge floated a one-yard pass to him. Sophomore kicker Crew Jacobs kicked all four PATs.

The Jays have a short week because they play East Jefferson on Thursday, Oct. 3 at Joe Yenni Stadium. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

Read the Coverage of the Game

New Orleans Advocate: Jesuit blanks visitors from Florida

Nola.com: Malcolm Ben’s Three Touchdowns Lead Jesuit Over Pensacola

Sportsnola.com: Jesuit cruises past Pensacola, 28-7

Galleries

Football vs. Pensacola, Sept. 27, 2013

Junior running back Michael McMahon peels off 25 yards on this scamper into Tiger territory.
The Jesuit cheerleaders are exceptionally talented.
Jayson and the fans play in the sparkling white sand of Pensacola.
... tight end Foster Moreau, who holds on to the ball even though he is triple-covered. The play sets up the Jays' fourth touchdown, a short run by Malcolm Ben.
Malcolm Ben takes a handoff from Trey LaForge and suddenly stops. He looks downfield and spots his receiver, throwing a long pass to...
Michael McMahon drives his truck through a huge opening.
Crew Jacobs kicks the point after.
Malcolm Ben jaunts up the middle for his second score of the game.
Senior wide receiver Daron Wilford floats on air and picks up a first down with the help of a great block from junior offensive lineman Jeff White.
Juniors Dillon Knight (28) and linebacker Robert Lobrano tackle this Tiger runner who is in the process of losing the football. The Jays recovered the fumble.
As the pocket collapses, quarterback Trey LaForge manages to pick up a few yards while maintaining a precarious grip on the ball.
This might have been the only running play where Malcolm Ben was tackled behind the line of scrimmage for a loss.
During the halftime show, during which the Blue Jay Marching Band continued to polish its rendition of Yes' Close to the Edge, the junior Jayettes were thrilled to perform alongside their mentors
At halftime, Jayson greets some of the young Blue Jay rail birds.
Senior Brad Davis (90) slows down this Tiger.
Junior tight end Alex Rabalais (30) caught this touchdown pass in the second quarter and celebrates in the endzone with his teammate Foster Moreau.
The theme for the game against Pensacola was not difficult to guess. If you thought "Back to the Beach," you win a sand dollar.
Junior defensive back Dillon Knight wraps up this Tiger as Jack Hebert rushes to lend assistance.
As is the custom after Jesuit scores, seniors run a lap or two carrying the six flags that spell J-E-S-U-I-T.
Junior running back Malcolm Ben crosses the goal line - dragging along a Tiger from Pensacola - to put the Jays up, 6-0. Crew Jacobs kicked the extra point to make it 7-0, Jays on top.
Junior running back Malcolm Ben is two yards away from scoring his first of three touchdowns that night.
Junior quarterback Trey LaForge is nailed just after throwing to one of his wide receivers.
Senior defensive lineman recovers a Tiger fumble deep in Jesuit's territory to snuff out an early threat.
Sophomore Crew Jacobs punts this ball downfield.
Senior wide receiver Quentin Marks catches this pass but is hauled down short of a first down on the Jays' first possession.
The Blue Jays and their fans stand with hands over hearts during the singing of the National Anthem.
Jesuit's Marine Corps J.R.O.T.C. Color Guard marches to its designated location for the singing of the National Anthem.
The captains from the two teams meet at mid-field for the coin toss. The honorary coin tosser is Jesuit alumnus Phil Foto of the Class of 1946. Foto played against Pensacola in the early games of the series. By the way, Jesuit won the toss.
This quartet of Blue Jays were among the players who participated in games against Pensacola during the 20-year rivalry. From left are Ken Adolph '59, Bob Menard '54, Dickie LaCour '67, and Larry Stoulig '67.
Assistant coach Benny Baptiste '81 pumps up the players, including senior Mikey McCombs (74). Looking on are sophomore Trevor Roussel (61), freshman Corey Dublin (67), and senior Quentin Marks (3).