Jesuit of New Orleans made a move in the Deep South, defeating St. Paul’s 19-12 and putting themselves at 4-1 and pushing for 2nd place in the conference.

While the Bayou Hurricanes lead the Deep South and have beaten both St. Paul’s and Jesuit of New Orleans, the top three are very close. 

Jesuit Coach Adam Massey said his team is clicking now.

“We’re playing some really high-quality rugby right now,” Massey told Goff Rugby Report. “We try to play a 70-meter game. They’re doing an excellent job of spreading the field. We have a core of backs that have been playing together for a few years, and some other players who have emerged.”

Among them, Benji Creel, a former football offensive lineman who has taken to the prop position, and the former wrestler with the classic rugby name, Evan Slattery, who is playing nicely at hooker.

“Evan was also the long-snapper on the football team, and their warmups were basically the same throwing motion as a lineout through, so he was able to do that from the beginning,” said Massey. 

Against St. Paul’s, junior wing Jacob Whitlow, senior lock Will Waguespack, and junior inside center Case Ellis all scored tries. 

Waguespack, looming 6-5 and able to move around, has been monstrous for the Blue Jays, while flyhalf Gabe Massey has the backs working nicely. Both are all-star players, and Massey has been playing since 7th grade.

Ellis is a fearless precision tackler as well as a great line runner, and No. 8 Bryce Duffy was a threat in the open field. Senior lock Scott Derbes did the job at the coalface and also kicked two conversions. It was his conversion kick that iced last week’s 12-11 victory over Katy in the Jesuit Classic.

Overall, Jesuit is now a serious contender for the regional championship, with the Barbarians also in the mix at 5-1.

“We need to improve on little things to put us over the top,” said Massey. “Our backs are great, but if they can work on holding their depth more to hit at full pace, they will really hit that line.”

Overall, Massey said the Deep South is enjoying a higher level of competition, with teams that are struggling to win, even new club Shreveport, playing tough and making their fixtures and making all teams work for it. It’s clear, now, that the Jesuit Blue Jays will make anyone work for it.

Ellis goes in for the try. Hudson Ellis photo.