Matt Alexander helps Jesuit pull away for 31-13 win over Shaw

Jesuit and Shaw were a pair of teams in need of a win Saturday night. Both battled but the Blue Jays had more to give late.

Reserve running back Matt Alexander filled in during the second half, rushing for 73 yards and scoring a pair of touchdowns to help Jesuit pull away for a 31-13 win at Hoss Memtsas Stadium.

Blue Jays quarterback Alex Watermeier threw for two touchdowns including one to Alexander to fend off a pesky Shaw squad seeking their first win.

After trailing 14-0, the Eagles crafted an impressive touchdown drive before the half. Making his first start, sophomore quarterback Taylor Nichol connected with tight end Luke Pounds for a four-yard touchdown with four seconds left in the first half. Jesuit (2-6, 1-4 District 9-5A) blocked the extra point, taking a 14-6 advantage into the half.

Shaw cornerback Ryan Taix jumped a quick hitch throw by Watermeier, intercepted it and ran 49 yards for a touchdown to draw the Eagles to within 14-13.

The Blue Jays responded by leaning entirely upon the running game on their next possession, driving 59 yards all on the ground and scoring on a nine-yard run by Alexander.

With leading rusher Willie Robinson out due to injury after his first carry of the night, the senior Alexander slid into the rotation with Michael Torry Jr. and became the workhorse for the Blue Jays down the stretch. Alexander help set up Max Scheurich’s 18-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to extend Jesuit’s lead to 24-13.

Watermeier later found Alexander for a 12-yard touchdown toss to salt away the first Jesuit district win of the season.

The Blue Jays seemed primed for an easy win in the early stages behind a dominant defense and big plays on offense.

Will Moran scored on an end around for a 34-yard touchdown to give the Blue Jays a 7-0 first quarter lead.

Jesuit added to the lead when Watermeier hit Dylan McKeough on a short dump off pass which the senior tight end ran into the end zone for a 19 yard score.

The second Jesuit touchdown was set up a 45 yard catch by wideout Noah Varnado, Jesuit leading receiver on the night with 89 yards on three receptions.

Watermeier finished with 147 yards passing and two touchdowns.

Despite a short passing game which was effective at times, Shaw (0-8, 0-2) was held to 119 yards passing while the running game was non-existent.

Pounds and fellow senior Lonzell McCoy has seven receptions each to lead the Eagles.

Jesuit gave up negative yardage on the ground for the game.

The Blue Jays will look to start a winning streak next week in a non-district game Friday at Destrehan while the Eagles will take on Brother Martin on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 in Tad Gormley Stadium for a game which will we aired live on WGSO 990 AM.