Jesuit upends Hahnville at jamboree

A hungry and prepared Jesuit team spoiled host Hahnville’s preseason jamboree Thursday night, as the Blue Jays rolled past the Tigers, 17-0.

Jesuit generated over 230 yards of total offense behind a balanced attack, setting the tone for the night on its first possession, with quarterback Peter Hontas dialing up Kalijah Lipscomb on a fly route for 47 yards and a touchdown.

 That Hahnville back on its heels from then on.

“It’s a jamboree, (but) I was shocked at how they pushed us around on defense,” HHS coach Nick Saltaformaggio said. “I didn’t think that would happen. Our game plan was very vanilla, very simple. The thing about playing a team like Jesuit, it shows you what you have to do. They’re very, very good now and will be throughout the year. You want to play those guys, because it gives you a blueprint on what you have to get better at

“But, in the end, it’s a jamboree. You take what happens tonight and use it to get better for next week, when it counts.”

Connor Pruitt scored Jesuit’s second touchdown with 7:25 left in the second half on a two yard run. The Blue Jays added a 27-yard field goal by Crew Jacobs with less than two minutes left to round out the scoring.

For Jesuit, the defending Division I state champions, it was redemption after its first team was outscored 42-7 a week prior against McDonogh No. 35.

Meanwhile, Hahnville is left looking for answers, in particular on offense. The Tigers have converted their offense from a triple-option spread to a more conventional pro-style offense, but they have not scored a point in either the jamboree or their preseason scrimmage against Northshore. That scrimmage ended in a 0-0 tie.

Mike Neal completed 9 of 18 pass attempts for 97 yards. Devonte Cravin caught four passes for 64 yards. Defensively, HHS safety Hunter LeBlanc intercepted a pass.

Two Tiger drives stalled out deep in Jesuit territory. Its first drive of the night ended at the Jesuit 23, a Neal pass falling incomplete on a fourth down and four. A drive to end the first half was stalled at the Jays’ 17, with Jesuit sacking Neal to end the half.

“We have to find a way to score,” Saltaformaggio said. “There’s no doubt we improved from last week, but we played a real good team. They’re not a state champion because someone gave them the trophy. The key is getting to the state playoffs, not winning the jamboree. We’ll keep working hard and we’ll be OK.”

Check out pictures from the night’s action at https://www.heraldguide.com/siphotos/2015/08/28/hhs-v-jesuit#1

 

About Ryan Arena 2946 Articles
Sports Editor

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply