All information derived from NOLA.com article written by Will Peneguy.

Brother Martin stabled is double-barreled running game and buried Jesuit under a barrage of big plays for a 31-7 win Friday night at Tad Gormley stadium.

The Crusaders scored three first half touchdowns — two on long passes and the third on a punt return — in building a 24-0 halftime lead in the District 9 5-A opener for both teams.

Brother Martin (4-0) scored twice on long passes and a 53-yard punt return in the first half for a 24-0 lead at intermission.

Quarterback Garrett Mmahat '22 hit on touchdowns passes of 74 and 62 yards in the first half and a 53-yard punt return by Davonn Moore '20 gave Martin a 24-0 lead at halftime.

Martin’s two star running backs, Chris Smith '20 and Jaylen Spears '21 had gained 572 rushing yards before Friday’s game for the Crusaders, ranked No. 6 in The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate’s Large School Super 10.

The two combined for 75 yards Friday against the Jays (2-2), most of it in the second half.

“We’ve been running the ball good and we knew (they’d be looking for that),” Martin coach Mark Bonis said. “They are very good defensively and very aggressive.

“Our offense is designed to take what they give us.”

The Crusaders started taking big portions quickly.

On the game’s third play, Mmahat found a wide open Jaylon Spears with a deep pass down the middle of the field. Mmahat threw the ball just before being hit by Sonny Hazard, who was closing fast for a sack. Less than two minutes into the game it was 7-0.

The Crusaders marched 51 yards in nine plays before stalling at the Jesuit 10. Jack Landry '20 kicked a 26-yard field goal.

Martin added two more quick strike touchdowns in the final 2:30 of the half.

Mmahat threw a perfect pass over a defender to Austin Jackson '22 streaking down the left sideline and Jackson raced in to make it 17-0.

The Crusader defense stopped Jesuit and when the Jays punted with just more than 30 seconds remaining in the half and Davonn Moore returned it 53 yards for a touchdown and the 24-0 lead.

"We made a lot of big plays, we executed our game plan well in all three phases," Bonis said. "Credit to our coaches for the preparation and to our kids ... for coming out here and executing"

Jesuit coach Mark Songy said he was not pleased with his preparation.

“We made some stupid defensive plays in the first half," Songy said, "and there’s no reason at all for it except coaching and that’s me."