Jays Looking Forward to Friday Night with Wolves
Jesuit and St. Paul’s Meet Friday, Sept. 11, at Tad Gormley Stadium for a 7 PM Kickoff

Senior quarterback Peter Hontas completed 14 of 24 passes for 156 yards against Warren Easton. Junior Corey Dublin, a 6’4″ 290-pound offensive lineman offers Hontas protection so he can get the pass off.
View the Photo Gallery of the Jesuit – Warren Easton Game
Jesuit and St. Paul’s will meet on the gridiron at Tad Gormley Stadium this Friday night for what will be only the sixth time. Until last year, the Jays were 0-4 against the Wolves. In 2014, Jesuit visited St. Paul’s in the second week of the season, coming off a 24-21 loss to Ponchatoula in the opening game of the season. The pundits didn’t give the Jays much of a chance a year ago against the Wolves, especially having to visit the lair across the lake in Covington. But Jesuit stunned St. Paul’s, 49-22, and picked up what would be the first of six consecutive wins in a memorable season that culminated with a Division 1 state championship.

Coach Mark Songy said he saw a whole season’s worth of mistakes last week against Warren Easton. “I think if you watch us the next couple of weeks, we’ll be maturing. You’ll see a noticeably better team each week.”
That was last year. This year, the Jays dropped their season opener against a very tough Warren Easton team last Thursday, 26-21. St. Paul’s, meanwhile, had an easy time with Karr, 34-7, and is ranked #6 this week among the metro area’s large schools by Nola.com. (Jesuit isn’t on the list.) The Wolves still lead the series, 1-4.
Pre-sale ticket prices are $6 for adults and students and $3 for children (ages 6-11). Tickets are on sale at Jesuit’s switchboard (Banks Street blue awning entrance) through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., and on Friday in the Student Commons during lunch. All tickets purchased at the gate are $8 each. Please note that student IDs will not be accepted at the gate for this non-district contest. Faculty and staff IDs will be allowed for admission plus one guest for the St. Paul’s vs. Jesuit football game on Friday night. The Blue Jays are the home team and will cheer for their team on the Marconi Drive side of Tad Gormley.
The game will be streamed live on WWL.com.
According to Coach Mark Songy, the St. Paul’s team is much improved over last year’s squad. The Wolves rely on their passing game slightly more than their ground attack. “They have a decent running game and they get rid of the ball quickly,” said Coach Songy, adding that the Jays have practiced hard this week at John Ryan Stadium in an effort to eliminate the mistakes that plagued the team against Warren Easton.
“We’re learning lessons from last week,” he explained, adding that “a whole lot of mistakes” were the “product of youth — we need to grow up. Our communication was not real good. We were taking too long to get the plays in and it was taking too long for the players to line up. We lacked a sense of urgency at times.”
Jesuit gave up a touchdown on the opening kickoff to the Eagles. “The players on the special teams have to simply play better when they’re on the field,” said Coach Songy. “We have to really try not to put our defense in a tight spot.” He paused before adding: “I’m still making sure that we have the right 11 guys on the field.”
Coach Songy and his assistants have no shortage of players, what with a roster featuring 114 players, 15 of whom are freshmen, “guys we think will be playing at a young age.” The fat roster means several players are wearing duplicate numbers. A player on the field with a duplicate number is typically the older player. One freshman with his own numbered jersey is Marc Dougherty (43), who saw plenty of action at his linebacker position and had five assisted tackles. Senior linebacker Ro Harper (36) led Jesuit’s defense with eight solo and five assisted tackles, and one quarterback sack; junior linebacker Cameron Crozier (54) had seven solo and three assisted tackles. Senior defensive backs Mark Beebe (22) and Jakirai Wiley (4) each had four solo tackles; Wiley also had four assisted tackles. Every time Wiley catches a punt or takes in a kickoff, he poses a real threat because there is always the chance he will break it open for a big return or go all the way. Beebe also had two assisted tackles and, more importantly, he was able to block the extra point attempt after the Eagles’ second touchdown.
Jesuit had 246 yards in total offense against the Eagles: 90 yards rushing (on 34 attempts) and 156 yards in the air. The Blue Jays’ backfield is anchored by senior quarterback Peter Hontas (15), accompanied by junior running backs Connor Prouet (20) and Kai Rozas (24). Prouet gained 61 yards rushing on 18 attempts (plus two receptions for 13 yards) and Rozas had 30 yards on nine carries (plus one catch for four yards). Prouet bulldozed his way into the end zone from one yard out for the Jays’ first score. Hontas completed 14 of 24 passes and two were for touchdowns to senior wide receivers Malachi Hull (6) and Kalija Lipscomb (17). Lipscomb had seven catches for 91 yards, including a 32-yard strike that was his longest and kept the Jays in the game until the last minute. Hull had three catches for 42 yards, including a 22-yarder for his longest of the game.
“After the first five minutes against Easton wore off, we played the remaining 43 minutes at a high intensity,” said Coach Songy, adding that the Eagles were a really good team. “We did not lose to a lesser football team. I think if you watch us the next couple of weeks, we’ll be maturing. You’ll see a noticeably better team each week. Whether that’s going to be enough for district play, I don’t know. I sure hope so.”
Read More…
Nola.com: St. Paul’s, Jesuit face off Friday at Tad Gormley
The New Orleans Advocate: Jesuit rivalry big for Sears family
Galleries
Football 2015 (Week 1): Jesuit (21) vs. Warren Easton (26); Thursday, September 3
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Senior wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb pulled down seven catches for 91 yards and one touchdown.
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... Miraculously, the ball hits the turf and takes a Jesuit bounce... right back into Jakirai Wiley's hands...
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... Jakirai Wiley doesn't miss a step and is finally brought down on the Eagles' 45-yard line.
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With 14 seconds left in the first half, Peter Hontas drops back to throw but loses the football. The Eagles pounce on it and so goes the first half with Warren Easton in the lead, 20-14.
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Two senior drum majors lead the Blue Jay Marching Band: Dane Castillo (foreground) and Tristan Killgore. The band and the Jayettes always give their fans a quality performance... and they have fun doing so!
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The Jesuit cheerleaders enjoy a sideshow.
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After the halftime performance by the Blue Jay Marching Band and the Jayettes, the drum corps sets up in front of the student section, aka: The Boosters, Stewards of the Gizzard.
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Peter Hontas picks up a couple of yards on a broken play.
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Crew Jacobs also handles the punt duties.
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This Eagle makes the catch and Jandon Briscoe makes the tackle.
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Jacob Baxter (44) has a firm grip on this Eagle's jersey.
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... Wiley keeps his eyes glued to the ball as it falls...
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Linebacker Nathan Farley (33) tackles this runner.
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Mark Beebe (22) and Ro Harper (36) team up to take down this Eagle.
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Connor Prouet stiff arms a defender to pick up some extra yardage. Prouet chalked up 61 yards on 18 carries.
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Kalija Lipscomb leaps high to make a terrific catch of a Peter Hontas throw. The catch covered 32 yards and gave the Jays a first down on the Eagles' 20-yard line with just under two minutes left in the game.
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Excitement ripples through the Jesuit side of the stadium after Kalija Lipscomb's catch keeps the Jays alive with about two minutes left on the clock.
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Mark Beebe was one of several players who cramped up. Assistant athletic trainer Mike Guillory provides some relief.
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The Blue Jays have a chance but need a first down. On fourth and one, Peter Hontas tries to bang through the left side of his offensive line, but the Eagles' defense stops him short and takes over with one minute left in the game.
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The two teams meet on the field after the game, which was the first time they've played since 2004. In the series between the teams, the Jays hold a three-game edge, 23-20-4.
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The players and the fans sing the Alma Mater.
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The Blue Jays listen as Coach Mark Songy discusses the errors of their ways: "Just a lot of little dumb stupid mistakes all night against a really, really good talented football team. I was proud of the fact that we fought for 48 minutes, but we’ve made enough mistakes for a season."
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Connor Prouet bursts through the Eagles' defense to score the Jays' first touchdown from one yard out.
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The Blue Jays and the Warren Easton Eagles have not played each other since 2004. Jesuit won that year, 23-0.
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Senior captains for the game are safety Mark Beebe (22), defensive end Zack Robert (92), wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb (17), and quarterback Peter Hontas (15).
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The Blue Jays number 114 players. One result is that some players are wearing the same numbered jerseys.
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The Eagles take the opening kickoff and soar, running it back 80 yards for a touchdown that throws the Jays into a hole 14 seconds into the game.
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Center John Sewell (60) and running back Zach Young (7) open a hole for Connor Prouet to drive a truck through.
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Warren Easton jumps out to a quick two-touchdown lead, but Mark Beebe (22) gets a glove on the ball as the Eagles attempt the PAT after their second TD. Beebe just missed blocking the first PAT. The Jays have some work to do to climb out of a 13-0 hole.
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Jakirai Wiley breaks free on the ensuing kickoff...
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... Just when you thought Jakirai Wiley was headed for the end zone, he's tripped up by the last Eagle defender in his way.
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Zack Robert slows this Eagle runner so that reinforcements, Patrick Spiers (19) and Mark Beebe (22), can assist.
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Peter Hontas is at the helm of the Blue Jays' offense. In his first start at quarterback, the senior completed 13 of 22 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns.
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As Coach Mark Songy heads for the sideline, the Blue Jays prepare to make their entrance.
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They call themselves "The Boosters" and these Blue Jay fans are "Stewards of The Gizzard."
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On the ensuing kickoff, Leland Jackson (26) trips up this Eagle.
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Ro Harper (36), Edward Rice (39), and Henry Moreau (83) chase down this Eagle.
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Connor Prouet picks up a first down.
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Malachi Hull catches a 15-yard touchdown pass thrown by Peter Hontas for Jesuit's second TD.
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Denny McGinnis holds while Crew Jacobs kicks the extra point. Jacobs was three-for-three against the Eagles. The Jays are suddenly in the lead, 14-13, but the Eagles still have one minute remaining in the first half.
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On the front row of The Boosters section are, from left, seniors Brandon Wolff, Will Hurley, and David Keller.
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The Eagles march right back down the field and score their third TD right before the first half ends.
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The Eagles kick off after their third touchdown and Jakirai Wiley, with Chase Adamcewicz (49) running interference, breaks free. But Wiley fumbles...