Unranked St. Pius X defeated #25 Dallas Jesuit 17-5 in Rugby Texas HS action, making it three league wins in a row.

On a cold, windy day, Pius played strong defense and unveiled some snappy backline play.

Jesuit challenged St. Pius X several times late in the first and during the second half, scored a try through Benoni Mesfin, but were unable to punch through in the final 35.

Dallas chose to play into the wind, reasoning that they could keep the ball, absorb the pressure, and then use the wind to pull away in the second half.

And while most of the first half was indeed played in the Dallas Jesuit half, Pius could not get all those tries they expected.

The score was 0-0 until seven minutes to go in the first half when Nathan Navarijo cut through for a try for St. Pius X. Travis Pesek converted. Jesuit got back down into St. Pius territory and worked off a lineout, getting Mesfin over to make it 7-5.

The wind was certainly a factor, but a factor for both teams. It made lineout throws and passes veer away and blew back clearing kicks.

Going into the wind in the second half they knew kicking would be tough.

Dallas Jesuit had had enough of seeing kicks not gain ground and didn't kick much in the second half. So both teams worked the phases, defense, and battled.

Then with 12 minutes left St Pius X attacked off a scrum 20 meters from the Dallas Jesuit line. Some smooth passing put speedy Nick Woods over for a 12-5 lead. St. Pius X defended doggedly after that and then off a turnover Burke Battenfield picked up and was off. He was dragged down in Dallas Jesuit territory but Pius recycled and Pesek took a pass and went in to score. 17-5.

Grant Stringfellow, who has moved from wing to lock,  was named player of the game, Pesek was also influential, and No. 8 Andrew Romero continued to test the Dallas Jesuit defense with his running.

Next up for St. Pius X is St. Thomas on March 25.