After getting their first win of the season in an overtime thriller last week, the Jesuit High School Marauders will face their toughest test of the season when they face the De La Salle High School Spartans on Thursday, April 1.

Holding a 1-1 record, Jesuit is coming off a 34-28 win against longtime rival Christian Brothers High School. While it was unclear who would be the starting quarterback before the season began, Preston Vukovich ’22 has solidified himself as the team’s best option under center. He has three passing touchdowns and three rushing scores in Jesuit’s first two games. 

 De La Salle has also looked impressive early on this season. The Spartans have gotten off to a 3-0 start and recently dominated San Ramon Valley High School in a 49-6 win. Success is to be expected at De La Salle, a perennial powerhouse that SportsStars Magazine ranked as the No. 1 team in Northern California entering the season.

But don’t tell the Marauders they’re underdogs, especially defensive back Roman Canaan ’21.

“Going up against a team like De La Salle is going to be extremely exciting and our team can’t wait to strap up our helmets and shoulder pads and take it to them,” Roman said. “We are going in as the underdogs, but we are about to surprise a lot of haters.”

While running back Ace Saca ’21 acknowledges the talent of the Spartans, he’s also ready to compete. 

“De La Salle is the best team we are ever going to play and everyone knows that,” Ace said. “We can’t be scared of them; we just need to go in there looking to compete.”

According to lineman Peyton McDonald ’21, one thing Jesuit can do to prepare is practicing with more of a purpose, something even he admits he needs to do a better job of.   

“Going up against De La Salle this week, we have to put more focus into practice,” Peyton said. “We’ve been kind of lackadaisical in practice, including me. We just have to pick it up.”

While the Marauders expect to come to the game fearless and well-prepared, we’ll see if they have what it takes to take down the Spartans when they face off at De La Salle at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 1.