The Jesuit Crusaders played their first in-season game on September 5th, losing 13-7 to Tualatin High School.
It was a hard fought defensive battle and the Crusaders came up just short.
The game featured Jack Wilson’s debut as quarterback, as the junior threw for 57 yards. The Tualatin defense brought a lot of pressure, making it difficult for Jesuit to get passing yards.
Luke Ortner, Jesuit’s junior running back, had a huge game, running for 211 yards.
Tualatin started quickly, scoring on the first drive of the game. Seeming unstoppable by the Jesuit defense, they decided to go for two, but failed. The lead was 0-6 Tualatin going into the 2nd quarter.
Jesuit responded with a touchdown on an 18 yard run by Luke Ortner, putting the Crusaders up 7-6. The Jesuit defense stepped up and forced a punt, regaining the ball deep into their own territory.
However, Jesuit fumbled the ball and Tualatin regained possession. They took advantage of the field position and scored a quick 18 yard passing touchdown with a bobbling catch in the back of the end zone.
At the end of the 2nd quarter, Jesuit marched down the field, trying to respond to Tualatin. They made it down the field, a holding call against Tualatin giving Jesuit 2nd and goal from the 4 yard line. Tualatin pushed them back 2 yards, but Jesuit gained 5 yards on their third down play, making a 4th and goal on the one yard line. The Tualatin defense shut down Jesuit there, and Tualatin got the ball on their own one yard line.
The 3rd and 4th quarters were scoreless, as both teams put up massive defensive fights. Jesuit had a chance to score at the end of the 4th, methodically making their way down the field. On 4th and 8, Wilson threw into the end zone toward senior Jack Tuenge, but the defense broke the ball up, and Tualatin was able to end the game by running the clock out.
Despite the loss, the Jesuit student section showed up for the team.
“[The crowd] was awesome. It was better than anything I’ve ever seen. It definitely made everyone have more energy,” senior wide receiver and defense back Nick Zervis said.
One reason the crowd was hyped up during the game was because of Jesuit’s new senior Spirit Directors, who were bringing the energy to the game.
“The start when everyone was cheering, and the first touchdown was amazing. And third downs [were my favorite parts of the game],” Griffin Nichols said.
The Crusaders faced many challenges during the game, the most significant being injured players.
“We had so many people go down, and we had to change a bunch of stuff… It wasn’t great, so we have to improve,” Zervis said.
However, younger players stepped up and made a difference in the game.
“The big one for me is my boy Dan North, the right guard,” said senior lineman John Ching. “This was his first varsity game ever. He stepped up, he came through, he was bringing energy all night. I’m really, really proud of him. Other guys, Ethan Peng, pretty sure he ended up going in for a while there. He was a JV guy that started swinging up this week, and for him to step up like that was pretty impressive.”
The Crusaders showed great character against the #4 ranked OSAA Tualatin Timberwolves.
“We got heart, you know? We’re gonna just take all this and learn, watch film, and get ready for next week,” Zervis said.
On September 12th, Jesuit hosts Tigard on Cronin Field.
