Jesuit Comes Up Short Against Bethel

VALLEJO - Jesuit sophomore receiver Lake Lutes jumped up for the football with less than a minute to go in the first round of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs on Friday with the Marauders looking to tie up the game and get it into overtime.

But third-string quarterback Jared Elenberger's pass eluded the 6'5" Lutes and went into the hands of Bethel senior K'lan Anderson on fourth down from four yards out, sealing the Jaquars' 24-17 win at Vallejo High School.

The game was Jesuit's first appearance in the playoffs since 2007.

"Our defense did a good job of keeping it close but we didn't catch up until late and you can't do that," Marauders coach Dan Carmazzi said.

Jesuit won the first quarter, which featured turnovers by both sides who couldn't seem to hold the slick ball for long on the cold night.

Senior kicker Andrew Nave got the Marauders on the board first at the 6:30 mark with a 29-yard field goal. The last minute of the first quarter was busy as Bethel junior Dijon Scott-Ward scored on a 24-yard fumble return with about 40 seconds left; a two-point conversion failed.

Then, on the ensuing kickoff, Marauders junior Devin Kelly had what may have been the most exciting play of the night with an 85-yard return, which put Jesuit up 10-6 after the point after.

The Jaguars came back with 3:45 left in the first half on a 16-yard run from senior running back Deaundray Taylor and made a two-point conversion on a run in by junior Deon Beck for a 14-10 halftime lead.

Bethel owned the third quarter as well.

The Jags sacked Jesuit senior running back Cameron Todd in the endzone for a safety and Bethel's quarterback Anderson scored on an 18-yard run, followed by a two-point conversion again by Beck. After three, Bethel had a two-touchdown lead in their backyard.

Jesuit was forced to go for it on fourth down with about six minutes left in the game. Ellenberger, who came in after starter junior Thomas Sperbeck was hit hard early and part-time QB Mason Pigman got some snaps, found Pigman for a three-yard touchdown.

The Marauders could have gone for the tieing score with more time remaning but were moved back by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

"Our team has dealt with adversity all year," Carmazzi said, eluding to Sperbeck losing some games due to mononucleosis and a tough schedule that included playoff teams Del Campo, Franklin, Folsom and . "Elenberger stepped it up. That's what Jesuit Football is all about: never giving up."

Bethel will host No. 6-seeded Grant in the second round.

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Check back later for a complete recap.

BETHEL 24, JESUIT 17

Jesuit 10 0 0 7 – 17

Bethel 6 8 10 0 – 24

J–FG 29 Nave

B–Scott-Ward 24 fumble return (run failed)

J–Kelly 85 kickoff return (Nave kick)

B–Taylor 16 run (Beck run)

B– Safety (runningback sacked in end zone)

B–Anderson 18 run (Beck run)

J–Pigman 3 pass from Ellenberger (Nave kick)