Jesuit and Shaw Kickoff Is 2 PM at Hoss Memtsas Stadium

At a Friday afternoon pep rally in the Birdcage, wide receiver Malachi Hull (6) gives quarterback Peter Hontas a rousing welcome.

View the Photo Gallery of the 2014 Jesuit – Shaw Game

The Jays and the Eagles of Archbishop Shaw will meet for the 46^th time on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 24, with kickoff at 2 p.m. at Hoss Memtsas Stadium on the Westbank.

The Eagles hold a five-win advantage as Jesuit’s overall record against Shaw is 20-25. Last season, Jesuit beat the Eagles handily, 49-14. Student IDs will be accepted at the gate for this district game. Tickets at the gate are $8 for adults and children.

Last week against Rummel, the Jays spotted the Raiders two touchdowns and Coach Mark Songy was not too pleased.

The Jays are currently 2-5 overall and have not won a game since visiting Escambia High in Pensacola in Week 3. Jesuit is 0-4 in district play, having lost to St. Aug (32-20) in Week 4, Holy Cross (28-21 in double overtime) in Week 5, Curtis (24-16) in Week 6, and Rummel (28-14) in Week 7.

“We had another great week of preparation like last week and the week before that,” said Coach Mark Songy. “I think we even stepped it up Tuesday and Wednesday, so as far I’m concerned, we’re ready to play.”

Senior quarterback Peter Hontas has attempted 166 passes and completed 88 (53%) for 1,124 yards. His favorite two receivers are Kalija Lipscomb with 37 receptions for 600 yards, and Malachi Hull, who has 14 catches for 191 yards. Lipscomb has five touchdown receptions while Hull has two.

Jesuit’s ground game is led by Connor Prouet with 156 carries totaling 820 yards. Kai Rozas has 28 carries for 166 yards. Prouet has eight rushing touchdowns.

Defensively, the Jays are led by linebackers Cameron Crozier and Jacob Baxter, each with 52 and 25 solo tackles, respectively. Defensive lineman Zack Robert has 23 solos (and five quarterback sacks) and defensive back Mark Beebe has 22 solo tackles. All of these defensive players have numerous assistant tackles.

Running back Connor Prouet found the going rough against Rummel. He ran 11 times and picked up 38 yards.

“The special teams practiced especially hard because we feel that’s important,” said Coach Songy. Offensively and defensively we’re working the same things we normally do. We don’t work too many things new because what we’re doing already, we’re just a step away from. So it’s a matter of continuing to get better at what we do and having some guys that we rely on make plays when they’re supposed to make plays.”

Coach Songy readily agrees the Blue Jays will win again. “We’re too close not to,” he said. “I just hope we don’t run out of season before we make an impact with this football team because I like them a lot.”

As crazy as it seems, if Jesuit is winless in district play by season’s end, the team still makes the playoffs. “That’s how the state has it worked out right now,” said Coach Songy, adding, “I don’t care for it very much but all the private school teams make the playoffs and then we play each other again. So we’re going to see at least in the first week of the playoffs another one of these teams again. And I don’t think they’re real crazy about seeing us again.”