It’s one of those anomalies in rugby conferences that in Louisiana one of the top teams is almost through the meat of its season, and another top team is yet to play.

But so it is, with Archbishop Shaw not having waded into league waters yet while New Orleans Jesuit is potentially going to be 4-0 after this weekend. Jesuit already got through some of its tougher opponents, beating Brother Martin 22-19 and then coming back to edge Mississippi. This past weekend, they were slightly more comfortable, but not much, beating lake Area 25-15. 

All of this is a pleasant surprise to Head Coach Jim Hotard, who wasn’t sure what team he had. Despite the fact that NO Jesuit has a very strong football team, Hotard got not a one gridiron player on his squad. What he did get, however, was a cadre of kids from ROTC, the band, and other sports, who were so enthusiastic they wanted to start practice in September. That enthusiasm has translated into improved performances.

“We started working with the kids in the fall,” said Hotard. “About 20 guys showed up and we built it to 30 or so. We have a lot of sophomores. We’d have little scrimmages at the end of practices which they really, really enjoyed, and then we started playing games.”

An early scrimmage against Brother Martin ended with Brother Martin winning comfortably. Lake Area won easily, too. But the time as a group started to show, and Jesuit turned the tables in league play.

“We worked on our strengths and weaknesses,” said Hotard. “The kids are really bright - attentive and able to execute what I was coaching. And they got better every match.”

The players needed to learn good tackling technique, but they got it, and when some former players showed up to help coach, they started to improve even more.

Sophomore scrumhalf Travis Huizar, Jr. is an example of the Jesuit type of play. He is learning. He has speed. He is aggressive. He sees space well. He needs to work on the basic rugby skills, but the raw material and the desire are there.

Flyhalf Matthew Sevin is a tall, thin #10 who is speedy. The forwards are developing, with big Scott Derbes coming along as a power runner, and Sam Clutter one of the more experienced heads on the team. 

It all seems to be coming together. They take on St. Paul’s, who are 1-0 after beating West Jeff 41-0, and if they win that game Jesuit will be 4-0. They know that Shaw will be a tough ask in March, and Hotard said his team’s lack of depth is a concern. But right now, the Deep South teams are all chasing New Orleans Jesuit.

Also up this weekend, Mississippi faced West Jefferson, and Brother Martin plays Houma. Shaw is slated to open up against West Jeff in the middle of next week.