The Strake Jesuit Crusaders had to rebuild in 2016, and now they’re ready to reload.
Though 2016 ended disappointingly with two losses, the Crusaders were in the playoff hunt until the very last week. However, that road went through Katy and Katy Taylor, who finished first and second, respectively, in District 19-6A.
The difference maker in Strake Jesuit getting the fourth spot in the playoff and just missing out was a 26-21 setback to Morton Ranch, who grabbed the fourth spot.
Strake Jesuit, which has been playing in the UIL for more than a decade now, went three rounds deep in the 2015 season but had to replace a solid quarterback, a 1,300-yard running back and two stealthy receivers.
Thomas Gordon stepped up last season as a sophomore and plenty of underclassmen saw the field, which should get them ready for the 2017 season.
Key Losses
LB Greg Ikott, QB Felix Read, DL Tommy Upton
Ikott led the Crusaders with 107 total tackles, 51 of them solo. He was a first-team selection on the 19-6A all-district team. Upton (6-4, 220) was an all-district selection who was third on the team with 80 tackles.
Read finally got the start in his senior season and threw for 1,478 yards and 15 touchdowns in nine games.
Key Returners
WR Thomas Gordon, OL Luke Junkunc, DL James Webster, LB Michael Jewett
Gordon lit up the scene last year as a sophomore. The 6-5, 230-pound receiver led the Crusaders in receptions (45) and receiving yards (545). He averaged 12.yards per catch and caught three touchdowns last season. He was named the 19-6A Newcomer of the Year.
Junkunc (6-5, 240) and fellow offensive lineman Laden Glaser both earned all-district honors last season, and both will be relied upon to help get the Crusaders offense going, especially as Strake Jesuit searches for its new quarterback and running game.
Webster (6-4, 265) has good size on the line and had 64 tackles and four sacks last season as a junior. Jewett was second on the team in tackles (90) and sacks (5).
Verdict
As mentioned before, the Crusaders got lots of playing time from plenty sophomores and juniors in 2016. Those game reps and practices from last year will only make this year’s team stronger for 2017.
Of last year’s 16 touchdown passes, 12 of them went to a mix of five receivers who will be back this year. Of course, Gordon leads this group with his 6-5, 230-pound frame and good speed.
Strake Jesuit has a great history, and they know how to bounce back. This could be the year for them to get back into the second or third round. Before that happens, though, they need to figure out the quarterback situation.
Katy and Katy Taylor will once again await at season’s end, but what happens in the previous eight games will dictate the ending of 2017, which already looks somewhat promising.
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