Jesuit HS in Sacramento had all they could handle this weekend after they took on CK McClatchy in a non-standings NorCal Premier matchup.

McClatchy is in the 2nd group of Premier teams, and Jesuit in the 1st, so this crossover game didn't count in the standings, but it certainly mattered to both teams regardless.

Jesuit jumped to a quick start against the visiting Lions, scoring right off the opening kickoff when  center George Niethammer broke free for a long run. Scrumhalf Carlos Ramirez converted.  A dry day on a quick turf field saw some real attacking, running rugby and the Lions came right back to even the score.

Jesuit started to go through the gears and rattled off three more tries with wing Jake Vassar, flyhalf Dylan Boylan and prop Joe Marchant, who continues to impress, all dotting down. None of the tries were converted, but Jesuit appeared to have a comfortable lead at 22-7.  The Lions continued to run from everywhere and their offloading game created problems for Jesuit. The tries started to come, as the Lions touched down twice, and converted both to make it Jesuit 22, Lions 21.

Ramirez was able to get over the line and convert to give the Marauders some breathing room and made the halftime score 29-21 for Jesuit.

The second half started with the Lions in the ascendancy, and saw them rattle off two more tries. That put McClatchy in the lead 33-29.

Led by Captain Garrett Kay and with Niethammer continually testing defenses with his running, Jesuit rallied and started to find the space around the field Prop Connor Bellinger dotted down with Ramirez converting. A nicely-placed kick by Ramirez saw Jonathon Amadi use his speed to score a spectacular try in the corner. Finally Kay would not be denied close to the line and he bulled over to have the final say for Jesuit.  With the Ramirez conversion, Jesuit had a comfortable margin at 48-33.

But the Lions wouldn't go away, and scored one more. The deficit was too big for McClatchy, and Jesuit held on in a barnburner 48-40.

Kay was the player of the game for Jesuit, while Niethammer was the best of the backs.

“This McClatchy team reminds me of the great Burbank team we have seen in the past – skilled, athletic, playing savvy rugby,” said Head Coach John Shorey. “We had a real battle today, but the mental toughness stood out and we were able to regroup, bring on some impact substitutes and finish the game strong.  We will learn from this game and be ready for another tough challenge at Danville next week.”