Jesuit Comeback Falls Short Against DeSoto
This year’s DeSoto team is facing similar issues with roster turnover, and might not be as solid overall. Maybe the same is true of the Rangers. But several newcomers certainly opened some eyes in their varsity debut.
DeSoto quarterback Courtney Douglas threw a pair of first-half touchdown passes and ran for another score to give the Eagles a 21-0 advantage. The Rangers got on the board for the first time on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Towns to Nick Hafertepe just before halftime.
The Eagles responded on the first play of the third quarter, when Byron Hanspard ran for a 54-yard score to extend the lead to 28-6.
That’s when Smith got going. The sophomore son of Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith capped each of Jesuit’s next three drives with short touchdown runs.
Two more Douglas touchdowns, one threw the air and another on the ground, kept DeSoto in the lead. And eventually, the Rangers ran out of time on their comeback, despite a safety and a 32-yard scoring pass from Towns to Smith with 2:33 remaining.
Trailing by five, Jesuit got a final opportunity in the closing minutes after a DeSoto fumble near midfield. But after driving inside the DeSoto 20-yard line, the game ended on an interception — the fourth turnover of the game for the Jesuit offense.
Towns completed 36 of 55 passes to lead the Rangers, who almost doubled up DeSoto in total yardage and dominated time of possession. Smith tallied 52 rushing yards and 87 receiving yards in his first varsity start.
Matthew Priddy paced the Jesuit rushing attack with 87 yards on 20 carries. Fletcher Rosenbleeth led all receivers with 120 yards on 12 catches.
Douglas threw three touchdown passes — including two to Jamal Brown — and ran for two scores for the Eagles, who extended their winning streak to 17 games overall.
The Rangers will next face Plano East on Sept. 9 as part of the Cotton Bowl Stadium Prep Showcase. Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. at the Cotton Bowl.
