The Northern California rain subsided just enough for Jesuit of Sacramento to face off against the top-ranked HS club Danville Oaks Saturday.

In a defensive-minded, and very scrappy game, Jesuit ran out to first-half lead and held off a furious Danville comeback attempt to win 20-11.

Jesuit came out of the blocks playing some inspired defense. That pressure turned into points when captain Garrett Kay pounced on a mistake at the lineout to touch down just fifteen minutes into the match. Fullback Jayme Thomas punished a poor kick with a weaving run that left several defenders in his wake to score ten minutes later. Scrumhalf Carlos Ramirez converted that try and Jesuit led 12-0. It was those missed tackles that hurt Danville in the long run. 

Jesuit looked to move the ball and were able to get through the Danville defense several times, but could not finish the moves.  Danville, on the other hand, played a very direct style that required the Jesuit defense to step up and make tackle after tackle.

The next ten minutes were tough when the Marauders got on the wrong side of the referee and both Kay and flanker Max Sackett saw yellow cards. Up 12-0 at the half, Jesuit would have to hold on and defend against a very athletic Danville team. Danville would not be denied and started to move through the phases.  A penalty and an unconverted try within two minutes made it a one-score game five minutes into the second half - 12-8 Jesuit led. That is how the game remained for the next ten minutes, with Danville running hard and Jesuit holding on to prevent big breaks.  Replacement flanker Brandon Calk, coming back from a knee injury that derailed his junior year, helped provide a spark with some key turnovers at the breakdown.

Ramirez hit a penalty at the 50-minute mark to give Jesuit some breathing room, but Danville hit right back two minutes later with a penalty of their own to tighten the game.  Jesuit wing Jonathon Amadi then chased down a kick into the corner and used his athleticism to touch down.

For the next fifteen minutes Jesuit played an aggressive defense that continued to pressure the Danville backline and cause multiple turnovers.  Danville was not able to break through line and the game ended with a Jesuit victory.

Final Score Jesuit 20 - Danville 11

“This was a team win, but several players really put their hand up today including a few of our junior forwards who did plenty of dirty work that doesn’t make the score sheet,” said Jesuit Head Coach John Shorey. “Hats off to Danville – they are a quality side that will continue to get better this season. They gave us plenty to think about as we go forward and this shows just how tough every week is in this Premier League.”