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Jesuit Blue Jays

By Lee Brecheen

Head Coach: Ryan Manale (3rd year)

2022 Record: 4-7

Class & District: Class 5A (District 9)

2022 Playoffs: Defeated Huntington 45-9 in 1st Round, Lost to John Curtis Christian 35-7 in 2nd Round of Division I (Select) Playoffs

Jesuit QB Beau Perez (Photo taken by Chansey Augustine)

Jesuit High School is not only one of the greatest programs in the new-orleans Metro area but it is the third-winningest program in Louisiana high school football history only trailing Haynesville High School and Neville High School. The last time Jesuit won a State Title in Football(2014). The program's history total State Titles in Football 8. The years won State Titles in Football (1933,1940,1941, 1943,1946,1953,1960 & again 2014).

These young men are working hard,” said Jesuit head coach Ryan Manale. “We have no experience at a few positions, but we expect to always be successful and find a way to win. The kids will give us all they have with hard work.”

Even though the Blue Jays are very young, they have close to 100 kids on the varsity roster giving them the numbers again to compete with anyone in Class 5A.

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The Offense will feature a few different backs in 2023. The program returns leaders and players with starting experience in RB Patrick Berrigan (5-8, 180, Sr.) who runs like he's 220 pounds. RB Landon Garcia (5-8, 170, Sr.) is another veteran back with toughness, power and quickness. Then you have two young backs with high upside in Wendell Riggins (5-4, 150) and Brock Prouet (5-8, 170). The QB spot returns second-year starter Beau Perez (6-5, 220, Sr.) who has a cannon arm. Perez has experience in the tough Catholic League and that’s key if Jesuit wants to have a successful season. Perez has a chance to be a special QB in his senior season.

The WR spot has a lot of depth and talent with several players in the rotation. The top guys are Gavin Palmisano (6-0, 190), WR Roman Larre (6-0, 165), WR Calvin Magee (6-0, 160), WR Jake Giardina 5-10 160, WR Ja’ir Burks 5-9 150, WR Brewer Nitcher (6-4, 180), WR Duke Nitcher (6-1, 170) and WR Jack Lauricella (5-9, 165).

The offensive line will always be tough and strong regardless of the size of the unit. The offensive line returns OL Ethan Shankle (6-1, 300), OL Luke Cunningham (6-0, 260), center Garrett Kelley (5-10, 245) new starter who lettered in 2022, OL Christopher Bourg (5-11, 225), OL Sam Macaluso (5-11, 230), OL Spencer Waguespack (6-2, 230), OL Peyton Bouchon (5-11, 230), and OL Luke Underwood (6-0, 195, Sr.). The Blue Jays also like using a few tight ends and they have some good ones to block and catch in starting TE Frank Finicle 6-2 230, TE/FB Caden Sanderson (6-0, 215) and FB/TE Jackson Anders (5-9, 185).

Jesuit QB Beau Perez and RB Wendell Riggins (Photo taken by Chansey Augustine)

The defense, like the offense, will have a few players rotate in to develop depth and keep players fresh in this tough District. The front seven will have several players the program counting on for great years in, starter DE Zyron Forstell 6-3 205, DT/DE Oliver Burgau 5-9 220, starter DE/DT Will Berry (6-3, 235), starter DE Kevin LaGraize (5-11, 205), DT Ian Miranda, starter DE/DT William Brooks (6-0, 200), DT Will Allen (5-10, 235), DT Griffin Ellis (6-1, 240) starter, big time leader LB Wyatt Mire (5-8, 165), LB Tucker Schibler (5-10, 205, Sr.), team leader Gio Matranga (6-2, 210), LB James Roniger (5-8, 185), LB Jackson Indest (5-7, 155). The secondary has a chance to be good though young but talented led by CB Jody Barber (5-10, 175, Sr.), CB Darrick LeBouef (6-0, 185), SS/FS Will Homes (6-0, 180, Sr.), SS/FS Beau Matulewski (6-1, 198), SS/FS Owen Hickey (5-9, 170, Sr.) and SS/FS Jack McGuire (6-2, 165).

The special teams will be strong even though they have a new kicker and punter in 2023. You have talented new starting punter Andrew Bordelon (5-9, 170) and new starting kicker Ethan Cabos (5-8, 170). Jesuit is in a good spot here where some schools don’t even have one kicker on the team and they have two. Senior Aiden Nash (5-10, 185) will handle the long snapping duties and will get his chance to show s this year his upside.

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