The names change, but the winning formula remains the same for Jesuit.
Many thought this would be the year Tampa Catholic ended Jesuit's winning streak in the annual rivalry. The Crusaders had won their last six games, and beat their five October opponents by more than 48 points per game. But it was Jesuit that emerged victorious in the showdown for the 18th straight year, defeating the Crusaders 35-7.
A strong ground game and a punishing defense have been the standard for Jesuit's recent wins. In the latest installment, the Tigers spread the ball around to nine different ball carriers for 217 rushing yards. The defense recorded nine tackles for loss, limited Tampa Catholic to 163 total yards and held the Crusaders scoreless in the second half.
The scoring started early for Jesuit, with Braden Gilby blocking Tampa Catholic's first punt and returning it 11 yards for a TD.
Both offenses struggled to move the ball with consistency the majority of the first half, totaling less than 200 yards combined. But Tampa Catholic evened the score late in the second quarter on a 34-yd TD pass from Charlie Dean to Ahmarean Brown.
Jesuit dominated the second half through the ground and in the air. Freshman Ricky Parks had a 43-yd TD run, freshman QB Enzo Tedesco connected with sophomore Jonathan Odom on a 27-yd TD pass, junior Larry Hodges plowed up the middle for an 8-yd TD run and Hodges capped off the night with a 14-yd TD pass to Odom.
Matthew Pittman led the Tigers with 76 rushing yards. Tedesco finished with 91 passing yards, Odom tallied 56 receiving yards and Hodges flashed his athletic ability with 25 receiving yards, 48 rushing yards and the TD pass.
Dean (99 pass yards, 33 rush yards) was under duress much of the night and the TC offense was plagued by drops from the receivers. Brown finished with 64 receiving yards to lead the Crusaders.
Jesuit (5-4) now leads the all-time series with Tampa Catholic 39-10 and have secured a wild card playoff bid in 5A Region 3. Tampa Catholic (7-3) will likely have to travel next week for a 3A Region 3 Semifinal game.
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