By Ron Brocato
The Sept. 25 showdown between the Brother Martin Crusaders and Jesuit Blue Jays has all the makings of a classic football game, as it has been for decades.
The matchup takes on additional incentive for the Crusaders. Not only is it their 2026 Catholic League debut, it’s also Brother Martin’s Homecoming game. And why not this game, considering there are no “soft” opponents in this district whose eight teams take a combined 22-2 record into the midway point of the season? Both combatants enter the game with 3-0 records.
The 7 p.m. kickoff scheduled for Tad Gormley Stadium is the most anticipated clash of the year among District 9-5A Catholic schools, and draws the largest attendance of the season. This Catholic League rivalry dates back to 1969, but it was an event that occurred in 1971 that defined this rivalry.
The Catholic League had swollen to nine teams, making it necessary for district games to start on the second week of the season. Well, Brother Martin’s power offense had little trouble beating Kennedy in the season-opener, but after the Crusaders’ offense proved to be impotent in a 16-0 loss to Jesuit, Head Coach Bob Conlin made a radical change to the offense that changed the fortunes of the football program.
Brother Martin fans would never again witness their favorite team held to four first downs, 23 yards rushing and a paltry 59 total yards of offense.
With just four days of practice before his team’s next game against Abramson, Conlin changed the entire offense. He installed the triple-option veer formation, which was not widely used by high schools at that time.
The Crusader players bought into it, and Brother Martin did not lose another game for the remainder of the season, which concluded with a Class 3A state championship victory over district mate St. Augustine, 23-0. Thank you, Jesuit.
During Conlin’s tenure, the Crusaders won the series with the Blue Jays, 16-9, using the veer offense, and since Mark Bonis became the head coach in 2009, the ‘Saders hold a 11-8 series edge.
This game matches two highly ranked Class 5A programs, with Brother Martin holding the No. 8 position on the Louisiana Sports Writers’ Top 10 poll, and Jesuit the No. 10 spot. They are similar in many facets of the game, and both coaches, Ryan Manale of Jesuit and Bonis, have given their charges the same mandate: “Be the best version of yourself.”
In a Homecoming week filled with possible distractions and student events, Bonis and his experienced coaching staff have their team focused on the business of winning. “Because the coaches have been together a long time, I think we do a good job of eliminating these distractions," Bonis said. “You could get lost in all the noise because it’s a big game for a lot of people, including the kids, but you have to lock in and control what’s controllable in order to find success.”
Both teams are undefeated after three weeks. The Crusaders have defeated Southside (38-19), St. Paul’s (47-16) and Warren Easton (56-6), while Jesuit owns wins over Madison Prep (28-20), St. Thomas More (30-10) and Bonnabel (48-7).
The offenses feature two alternating quarterbacks, highly skilled receivers, a capable running game, and large linemen. Bonis said the two are quite comparable with some differences.
“Their quarterback system is situational; ours is 50-50. Both of our quarterbacks are going to play unless the game dictates otherwise,” Bonis said. “I think (Jesuit) wants to throw the ball. They run when they need to and feel it’s there. When the younger quarterback comes in they want to run with him.”
Two of the district’s most outstanding wide receivers will be featured in Brother Martin’s 5-star senior Easton Royal, who, in his short stints on the field, has caught 14 passes for 214 yards and four touchdowns, and Jesuit’s Ja’ir Burks, who, when healthy, has the speed to outrun the most experienced defensive backs.
Brother Martin may have an edge in the running game with Jeremiah Burton and Luca Ascani. Burton rushed for 121 of the Crusaders’ 312 ground yards against Warren Easton. And both teams have excellent kicking games.
Bonis called this Jesuit team the best it has fielded since its last state championship outfit in 2014.
