Following a dominating 27-0 performance over the Gregori High School Jaguars, the Jesuit High School Marauders now face the Tracy High School Bulldogs in the second round of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Football Section Playoffs. The Marauders are the second ranked football team in the section for the Division One playoffs, so their road to the championship is full of possible pitfalls. The Bulldogs will be a strong opponent for the Marauders as they continue their journey towards a section title.

Last week, the Marauders breezed by the Jaguars, shutting them out. The Jaguars were the fifteenth seed in the Section Playoffs, and the second seeded Marauders were well prepared and eager to get past their trap game. Thanks to a strong performance by the entire team, the football team is now ready for a Tracy squad fueled by a high-powered rush offense.

The game is set for Saturday, Nov. 22, and the Marauders will be facing a Tracy team excited to try to upset the 2nd ranked team. Tracy is coming off a close victory over the Turlock High School Bulldogs, the tenth seed in the bracket.  Their offense is headed by a strong rushing attack from a variety of runners. Their most prolific rusher is senior running back Nate Jones who averages over eight yards per carry. The Marauder defense will have to be prepared to combat Tracy’s ability to run the ball.

Not to be outdone however, the Marauder offense has been stout all season, averaging 33 points per game. Leading rusher junior Beau Bisharat and senior quarterback Cole Brownholtz will look to take advantage of the Tracy defense in order to punch their ticket to the semi-final game.

For both programs, this quarter-final matchup is a crucial step towards validating their teams. Tracy will look to get a huge upset as they continue towards the championship, however; the Marauders are hoping to make quick work of the seventh seed as they chase the goal they set for themselves at the beginning of the season, winning the section title.