The Jesuit Tigers are on the march to Orlando and playing for a regional championship this Friday as they host Dunbar out of Fort Myers. Jesuit’s 12-0 this season and thanks in large part to–their defense. We all know about their stud running back Malik Davis–who is over 2,000 yards for the season and is hitting on all cylinders. Something that doesn’t seem to hit on all cylinders however, are opposing offenses when they try to throw the ball at the secondary of the Tigers.
The foursome of CB Jason Stokes, CB Travell Harris, SS Mayson Atkinson and FS Rodney Higdon have come together to form a fearsome-foursome this season and most often a no-fly zone for quarterbacks and wide receivers. Four times this season, opposing offenses compiled less than 100 total yards and their team defense has posted four shutouts to pair with that dominance. The four players have combined for 201 total tackles and 15 interceptions to go with six forced fumbles and 42 passes deflected.
The four teams they held to 100 yards or less this season were Trinity Catholic (38), Leto (95), Pasco (57) and Spoto (100), and have given up 200 yards or more just twice this season to Jefferson (458)–in the regular season–and Tampa Catholic with 302 yards. Both those games were victories for the Tigers, however.
There are two underclassmen and two seniors in the group led statistically by Strong Safety Mayson Atkinson (5-10/175)–Atkinson is a senior and has posted 85 tackles–56 solo–12tfl’s–to go with five interceptions, nine passes deflected, a fumble recovery, three caused fumbles and two blocked extra point attempts. The other senior is Cornerback Jason Stokes (5-11/170) with 33 tackles–23 solo–and four interceptions to go with eleven passes deflected.
The two juniors are Free Safety Rodney Higdon (6-0/172)–who has piled on 54 tackles this season–41 of them solo and 6 of them for loss–along with 9 passes deflected and a fumble caused. Travell Harris (5-9/175) is the other cornerback with 29 tackles–21 solo–with two interceptions, three passes deflected, three fumble recoveries and two fumbles caused.
As mentioned, the Tigers take on another set of Tigers from Dunbar High School in Fort Myers in the Class 5A Region 3 Finals this Friday Night.