Another pleasant fall evening set the stage for a potentially league title deciding matchup between the Jesuit Marauders and the Monterey Trail Mustangs. The big red machine traveled south to the Monterey Trail campus  to play a fellow veer team in the hopes of keeping their undefeated Delta League record in place.  The Mustangs did not prove to be as tough an opponent as was anticipated and the Big Red Machine dominated from the opening whistle.  Jesuit took the first possession and behind tough runs by Kiren Reddy and Mauricio Murguia-Sarin behind the powerful offensive line play as the Marauders pushed the ball down the field. After five straight runs for solid yardage Daniel Susac hit a streaking Tyler Sloan for a 37 yard touchdown. A good PAT by the always solid Gabe Neuman and Jesuit had the early 7- 0 lead they would never relinquish with 7:03 left in the first quarter.  The Big Red defense also came to play and exhibited a stellar effort to shut down the Mustangs running game. The first MT possession for MT resulted in zero yards gained forcing the Mustangs punt after a quick 3 and out. Jesuit’s second offensive possession was highlighted by more dominating offensive line play culminating in a ten play touchdown drive led by Reddy runs of (2, 7 and 1 yard), Sarin (3 yards), and Susac (10 and 5 yards). Complementing the running game was precision passing with catches by Tyler Sloan (18 yards) and Cooper Shults (15 yards). The second drive was capped by a one yard touchdown plunge by Reddy and following another perfect PAT by Neuman Jesuit was off and running with a 14- 0 lead with still 2:27 left in the first quarter. The Marauder Defense stepped up big again on the next Mustang possession. On the third play of the drive, Nick Blake stepped in front of a pass for an big and acrobatic interception. The Big Red defense made it clear they were here to play and would give nothing away easily for the veer running Mustangs. The Offense went right back to work following the interception and after just two plays Susac hit Jacob Hall for a 31 yard pass and catch for another touchdown. The PAT by Neuman was good and Jesuit’s lead was now 21 -0 with 8:45 left in the half.  The marauder defense continued to dominate. Hunter Donelson and Reddy made several key stops. Soren Peterson, who would lead the team in tackles made several punishing stops on Mustang runners including some for negative yards. On the ensuing drive Monterey Trail ran three plays and lost yardage on two then punted back to Jesuit. The efficient Jesuit Offense moved the ball seemingly effortlessly down the field using it’s now vaunted with passing game. Catches by Hall (28 yards) and Logan Marks (15 yards) matriculated the ball down the field where Reddy finished the drive with a 15 yard touchdown run. Mr. Automatic Neuman punched another good PAT and the rout was on with Jesuit leading 28- 0 with 3:18 left in the half. Things got worse for the host Mustangs on the ensuing kickoff the when they muffed the recovery and Hunter Donelson pounced on the loose ball giving it right back to the Marauder offense. For the first time in the game the Jesuit offense wasn’t able to convert and were forced to punt. MT was also unable to get anything going and the half ended with Jesuit up 28- 0.

Monterey Trail started the second half with the ball and finally put a drive together. Since their storied veer running game had been completely shut down the Jesuit defense, the Mustangs resorted to trick-r-ation and with a brief 8 play drive were able to finally get into the end zone. Their two point attempt failed so Jesuit’s lead was left at 28- 6 with 4:57 left in the 3^rd quarter. Jesuit’s first possession of the second half was the longest drive of the game (13 plays). Solid runs by Reddy and Sarin moved the ball down the field. Shults contributed a 24 yard catch to move the chains and Reddy punched it in from three yards out for his third touchdown of the game. Jesuit elected to go for two from a unique formation Susac hit Shults for the successful conversion. Jesuit now led 36- 6 with 9:58 left in the game.  Monterey Trail’s next drive found them getting hammered by the Jesuit defense. Perry Jackson stepped up to make some key stops. Ben Stimson stepped in and made a couple of big tackles. Josh Drinen contributed to the stout defensive play and also made a big pass deflection when the Mustangs were forced to abandon their running game and go to the air. Four plays and a turnover on downs ended the possession. Jesuit’s offense shifted to more power runs to run out the clock and moved into the redzone again. When the drive stalled Neuman lined up for a 37 yard field goal, which unfortunately it was tipped at the line and short right for his only miss of the season. The host Mustangs tried to mount another drive together; however, the Big Red defense just continued to dominate and forced a late fumble giving the ball back to the Big Red offense. After four plays Jesuit lined up in the now familiar VICTORY formation and closed the game out for their seventh consecutive victory. The Final Score, Jesuit 36, Monterey Trail 6.

Jesuit takes their undefeated Delta League record to Grant High School to play for the league championship next Friday, November 3, at 5PM.

Offensive Statistics

Passing

• Daniel Susac – 9 of 18 – 215 Yards – 2 TD’s

Rushing

• Kiran Reddy – 13 carries for 75 yards and 3 TD’s
• Mauricio Murguia-Sarin – 8 carries for 20 yards
• Daniel Susac – 3 carries for 18 yards
• Ace Saca – 5 carries for 5 yards
• Josh Drinen – 3 carries for 3 yards
• Parker Breen – 2 carries for 5 yards
• Team total – 34 for 126 yards and 3 TD’s

Receiving

• Hall – 2 catches for 59 yards and 1 TD
• Sloan – 2 catch for 55 yards and 1 TD
• Shults – 3 catches for 41 yards and 1 two point conversion
• Marks – 1 catches for 15 yards
• Chideme-Alfaro – 2 catches for 45 yards
• Team total – 9 of 18 for 215 yards and 2 TD’s

Defensive Statistics

Tackling

• Hunter Donelson – 5 tackles, 1 fum rec, 1 TFL
• Nick Blake – 2 tackles, 1 int.
• Soren Peterson – 8 tackles
• Logan Carter – 3 tackles
• Jacob Hall – 2 tackles, 1 pass defl.
• Kiran Reddy – 4 tackles
• Grant Fletcher – 2 tackles
• Mauricio Murguia-Sarin – 2 tackles
• Josh Drinen – 2 tackles, pass deflc
• Perry Jackson – 2 tackles.
• Jarod Hight – fum rec

Special Teams

Kicking

• Neumann – 4 for 4 on PATs,  5 Kickoffs average 35 yards
• Blake-  1 punt for 24 yards