FLORIDA TOP 25 PREVIEW: No. 5 Jesuit Tigers team preview

With the 2022 high school football season here we are previewing the Top 25 teams in our Florida Top 25 rankings that we have already debuted on Varsity Sports Network’s Florida Gridiron Report last week. Rankings for the Florida Top 25 will be updated each Wednesday night on the Florida Gridiron Report and on FloridaHSFootball.com along with all classification rankings.

With the 2022 high school football season here we are previewing the Top 25 teams in our Florida Top 25 rankings that we have already debuted on Varsity Sports Network’s Florida Gridiron Report last week. Rankings for the Florida Top 25 will be updated each Wednesday night on the Florida Gridiron Report and on FloridaHSFootball.com along with all classification rankings.

NO. 5 JESUIT TIGERS

Head Coach: Matt Thompson, 10th year

Classification & District: 3M-5

2021 Record: 15-0

Key Athletes: OLB Troy Bowles, Sr; QB Luke Knight, Jr; RB JoQuez Smith, Sr; CB Andre Gilbert, Sr; WR Jarriett Buie, Sr; DL Andre Morris Sr; DL Peter Pesansky, Jr; WR Bryson Goodwin, Jr; WR Willie Suarez, Jr; OL Wesley Shaw, Sr

2022 Schedule

Kickoff 7:30 PM ET unless noted

* – Denotes District Game

Fri. 8/26 (Week 1) – @ Tampa Wharton

Fri. 9/2 (Week 2) – Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast

Fri. 9/9 (Week 3) – @ Miami Columbus (Tropical Park)

Fri. 9/16 (Week 4) – BYE WEEK

Fri. 9/23 (Week 5) – @ Seffner Armwood

Fri. 9/30 (Week 6) – Tampa Leto*

Fri. 10/7 (Week 7) – Clearwater Central Catholic

Fri. 10/14 (Week 8) – @ Tampa Gaither*

Fri. 10/21 (Week 9) – Tampa Bay Tech

Fri. 10/28 (Week 10) – @ Tampa Hillsborough*

Fri. 11/4 (Week 11) – @ Tampa Catholic

Season Outlook: With the only team in the state to complete a perfect 15-0 season in 2021, the Tigers are likely asking why they are not the top team to start in 2022. Several, things come into factor given the amount of talent that is returning, new classifications and how they line up with other top teams, and the general expectations for the upcoming season. However, with that said Jesuit is going to be right in the mix for the Class 3M State Championship which also includes foes like Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas – a team Jesuit defeated en route to the perfect season in 2021 – that will stand in the way from repeating as state champions. 13 of 22 starters are back this year for the Tigers including seven on offense and six on defense which is great for a team that won a state championship. Coach Thompson cites the returning skill position players along with the defensive line and linebackers being part of the team’s strengths for 2022 but having to replace three offensive linemen as part of the area’s improvement that needs to happen to maintain winning success. Overall, Jesuit will be one of the favorites to win Class 3M but will come with a challenge especially when the playoffs roll around.