Jesuit Misses Two-Point Conversion, Falls 35-34 to McKinney in Senior Night Upset
A failed conversion with 16 seconds remaining cost the Rangers a district lead, setting up a winner-take-all finale against Prosper Rock Hill.
By Jonathan Ramirez ·
Jesuit seniors watched their district lead evaporate on a failed two-point conversion at Ranger Stadium on Saturday night. The Rangers lost 35-34 to the McKinney Lions, a result that leaves them with one game left to secure a playoff spot. The outcome hinged on a single play in the final seconds of regulation, ending a game that had tied at 7, 14, 21, and 28 apiece.
The rivalry has been tight. Jesuit and McKinney have met only five times on the gridiron, and the Rangers are now 0-4-1 in those contests. This defeat drops Jesuit to 4-5 overall and 4-3 in District 6-6A. The Lions improved to 3-6 overall and 2-4 in district play.
McKinney running back T.J. Corbett drove the Lions’ offense with a performance that Jesuit coach Brandon Hickman described as electric. Corbett rushed for 249 yards on 32 carries and scored five touchdowns on runs of 15, 20, 21, 2, and 31 yards. His final score came with 2:31 remaining, capping a 13-play, 88-yard drive that took 5:48 off the clock. The 31-yard run broke a 28-28 tie. Corbett appeared to be stopped running left, then reversed field to outrun the Ranger defense.
Hickman said the loss overshadowed a strong effort by Jesuit senior running back Ty Daboub. Daboub ran for a career-high 194 yards on 26 carries and scored three touchdowns on runs of 2, 15, and 6 yards. It was his fifth 100-yard game this season, bringing his total to 944 rushing yards and 16 scores. Wideout Joseph Konings also had a senior night moment, catching nine passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns. His 39-yard fourth-down catch with 16 seconds left tied the game at 35-34.
Jesuit quarterback J.P. Livingstone completed 21 of 38 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns, though he threw two interceptions in the first quarter. McKinney sophomore quarterback Blaze Barr completed 20 of 31 passes for 206 yards. Junior tight end Jayden Washington led the Lions with seven receptions for 69 yards.
With no timeouts remaining, Jesuit attempted the two-point conversion to win. The pass fell just short of Konings’ outstretched arms. McKinney recovered the onside kick and secured the victory on one knee. Hickman said there was no hesitation about going for the win because the defense could not get stops. He noted that McKinney outplayed Jesuit, particularly in stopping Corbett.
Jesuit faces Prosper Rock Hill on Thursday in a winner-take-all district game. The winner, along with Prosper Walnut Grove, is slotted for Division II, while Allen and Prosper are bound for Division I. Jesuit is seeking its eighth straight playoff berth. Hickman said the team must regroup on a short week to prepare for the finale.
