Jesuit eyes return to winning ways in 2019

It was not so long ago that the Blue Jays sat on the top perch.

In 2014, Jesuit accomplished an amazing feat, capturing its first football state championship in 54 years under Mark Songy.

The Blue Jays had to beat powerhouse John Curtis Christian 17-14 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome to win it all.

It was the eighth state championship in school history. Only John Curtis (26), Haynesville (17), Evangel Christian (14), Neville (12), Istrouma (9), Kentwood (9) and Tallulah (9) have won more.

While the Blue Jays are just five years removed from glory, that memory is fading as Jesuit has unable to match that level of play over the past few seasons. Songy continues to search for the formula that can produce a championship caliber team once again.

The Blue Jays were 6-6 a year ago, advancing to the Division I quarterfinals before bowing out against John Curtis. Jesuit downed St. Paul’s 21-17 in the opening round of the playoffs. It was the first playoff victory for the Blue Jays since a 35-21 win over Archbishop Shaw in 2015.

The 2018 season was an improvement over the massive disappointment of a 2-9 season in 2017. Clearly, Jesuit was better. The losses last year were to excellent teams, including twice to eventual Division I state champion John Curtis and once each to Class 4A finalist Warren Easton, Class 5A semifinalist Destrehan, Division I semifinalist Archbishop Rummel and Division I quarterfinalist Brother Martin.

The schedule was tough and Jesuit proved it could play with the best teams in Louisiana.

Still, Jesuit has not had a winning season since the magical 2014 season. The Blue Jays were 5-6 in 2016 and 5-7 in 2015.

“We definitely saw a lot of progress last year,” Songy said. “I think that had to do with the number of returning players that we had that brought us some experience and some maturity. Our players really bought into what we were doing and realized that the year before was unacceptable. We needed to control things a little better than we did. We were certainly more competitive.”

There is reason for optimism in 2019.

Jesuit must overcome the loss of a terrific defensive lineman in Perry Ganci, now at Nicholls and must find a starting quarterback to replace Robert McMahon, who also graduated.

The latter could be in good hands.

Despite Kyle Wickersham transferring to Archbishop Rummel, the Blue Jays should have a talented quarterback in senior Grant Jordan (6-2, 200).

“I was very impressed and pleased with Grant in the spring,” Songy said. “The problem is that he doesn’t have any game experience. He’ll have to grow up in a hurry but we’re liking what we’ve seen. I like the work that Coach Scott Bairnsfather is doing with him. I think he’s got all the tools physically and mentally to be the quarterback that we need.”

Jordan has a pair of good receivers in Luke LaForge and Luke Besh (6-1, 180), both of whom are returning starters. Senior Joe Lombardi (6-2, 195) will man the other receiver spot while junior AJ Alvarez (6-1, 215) is the tight end.

“I really like our receivers a lot,” Songy said. “Two out of the three are returning players and they were big play guys for us a year ago.”

Jesuit returns five starters on offense, including junior fullback Win Schibler (5-11, 218), along with senior offensive linemen Brian Balestra (6-5, 280) and Max McMahon (6-0, 215). New starters up front include seniors Effy Marks, Dalton Baglio and Jacob Berault.

“We’ve got two returning starters that I like a lot in Brian Balestra and Max McMahon,” Songy said. “We have moved Balestra to tackle. We may have four or five interior guys who may end up playing who are strong young men who understand what we are trying to do. I think we should be sound up front.”

There are a pair of running backs expected to carry the load, including senior Rader Jackson and junior Jalen Williams.

“It’s more running back by committee,” Songy said. “I think right now that we have a senior and a few young kids that will give us what we need but they are untested. That’s always a concern but I think that the guys that we have will be sufficient.”

The defense returns six starters, including a pair of stellar defensive linemen in seniors Sonny Hazard (6-2, 300) and Ethan Branch (6-5, 250). Joining Hazard and Branch up front are seniors Evan Taffaro and Paxton Dinwiddie (5-11, 205).

“Hazard looks as good as he has ever looked,” Songy said. “He is in pretty good shape. He is really strong and he has taken on a leadership role which I like to see. The guys that we are going to play with around him have some experience. They’ve got tools, give good effort and I expect them to improve. Sonny will get doubled all the time so they have to come through.”

Returning senior starter Jimbo Hotard leads the linebacking corps and he will be joined by senior Max Jubenville and sophomore Dennis Dougherty (6-1, 200).

“We have three talented players at linebacker but Jimbo is the only returning starter,” Songy said. “We may end up with five guys for three spots. When they grow up, we will be fine there. Darryl Roule will do a fine job in helping them mature.”

The secondary should be a strength with three returning starters, including senior Austin Robert (5-11, 165) and juniors Will Hawkins and Vincent Loguidice (5-10, 160). Junior Giovanni Licciardi is the other starter.

“We like our experience in the secondary,” Songy said. “You want kids who understand assignments and can tackle well and we feel we have that.”

Songy has added another outstanding assistant to a solid veteran coaching staff with the addition of former Brother Martin and LSU star Tommy Clapp.

The schedule is once again challenging.

While the Blue Jays will not face powerful Warren Easton to start the season for the first time in five years, Jesuit has a very tough opener on the road at Terrebonne. The Tigers lost just twice, both times to Destrehan, in reaching the Class 5A quarterfinals a year ago.

Jesuit again travels in week two to Covington to face St. Paul’s. Then comes a home game against Helen Cox at Tad Gormley Stadium.

“We had a nice rivalry going with Easton,” Songy said. “I wanted to change it up a little bit. I don’t think we’re getting much of a break in Terrebonne, who had a great team last year. St. Paul’s is always a fist-fight. We really like that matchup. It’s great for the fans and our team and it helps us get ready for district play. Helen Cox has very good players with great speed. I think the pre-district schedule really sets us up to go through some battles. We become battle-hardened through our pre-district schedule.”

Catholic League play begins on Sept. 27 against Brother Martin before the Great American Rivalry Series contest with Holy Cross in week five.

After facing St. Augustine, the Blue Jays face a daunting task in John Curtis Christian at Yulman Stadium on Oct. 18.

Jesuit travels to Archbishop Shaw in week eight before venturing out of district play to play at Hahnville on Nov. 1. The regular season concludes on Nov. 8 at Gormley against Archbishop Rummel.

“John Curtis is the class of the league regarding talent and experience,” Songy said. “I do like the fact that year in and year out, we play them as close or closer than anybody else. I think that’s due to familiarity and that’s due to our kids giving great effort in executing the game plan. We have a lot of respect for them. I don’t know who’s going to play Curtis close. I think the district and state championship are there’s to lose.”

With Evangel Christian dropping down to Division II, there are only 12 schools now competing in Division I statewide.

“I’m always disappointed by the fact that we’re split as an association,” Songy said. “Our guys lose that opportunity to travel in the playoffs and see different teams. It is what it is and we’ll approach the playoffs like we always do. Hopefully, we will be healthy then because one thing this league does is bang you up. Every game is it’s own identity. We will never make one opponent bigger than the other. We are looking forward to the challenge.”

With 11 returning starters, a sound, veteran coaching staff, a defense that should be stout and a big quarterback with ability, the Blue Jays appear heading in the right direction.