On Friday, Aug. 27, the Jesuit High School varsity football team played De La Salle High School in their only scrimmage game. Their season officially opens against Rio Americano High School on Aug. 30.

Although score is not kept in scrimmages, this matchup still served as a solid benchmark for the team’s performance going into the season.​

“Friday’s scrimmage was a great learning experience for us,” said running back Jack Patock ’25. “We saw where our strengths were, and found areas that we need to work on. We struggled being consistent – some drives we played well, and others we played poorly. Our goal is to be more consistent and make less mistakes each week, which I know we can achieve.”

Varsity Assistant Coach Eddie Ralph believes that greater intensity and energy will help unlock the team’s potential.

“We could be a very good team, but we need to start playing and practicing harder and at a faster speed,” Coach Ralph said. “De La Salle showed us how to play at that level, and we need to learn from this experience. [There’s] lots of room for growth as a team and as individuals.”

Until Friday, Jesuit had only been scrimmaging against themselves in practice. Some nerves showed on the field against DLSH, but Coach Ralph chalks it up to the eagerness that came with finally playing another team.

“There was definitely an excitement to get out there and play someone new, to get some real game-like action under our belts,” Coach Ralph said. “That is something as a coach that you lay back and let them experience in a scrimmage. [You] don’t want to over-coach that.”

After this matchup, Jack and the rest of the team feels ready going into their game against Rio Americano High School this Friday.

“Our team is prepared for our first game,” Jack said. “We have been putting in a lot of work in practices and we are excited to show our skills in a live game.”

On Friday, fans might sense a different energy in the team’s play. It could be because it’s the first night under the new lights; it could be because it’s the first game of the season.

This year, though, the team is fueled by something Jesuit often doesn’t experience: doubt. The league-switch that took place in May has many outside the program concerned about Jesuit Football’s reputation for excellence and dominance. 

The team is not worried. 

“The team has shared that they want to change the narrative that we are going into a tough league and as such are going to have a tough year,” Coach Ralph said. “They want to prove that we can compete in any league and against any team.”

They’re prepared to let the community know they can.

Overall, Jesuit can walk away from this scrimmage with their heads held high. Their performance: a testament to their work on the field. Their pride: a tribute to the colors they wear. And their determination: an ode to what it means to be a Marauder.

The varsity football season officially kicks off this Friday under the lights at Jesuit against Rio at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.