As the new school year begins, the Jesuit High School Sacramento football team prepares for their upcoming season. The team has been hard at work, practicing since late June.

Led by Head Coach Marlon Blanton, the Marauders look to make an impact and turn heads this football season.

“[We want to] work to get our team to play at an exciting level, [to] play inspired, so that our fellow Marauders will join us on our journey,” Coach Blanton said.

This year’s seniors weren’t able to participate in sports during their freshman year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Coach Jonathan Isaac hopes that the year without football will help this year’s seniors excel on the field.

“They are the group that didn’t get a full freshman season,” Coach Isaac said. “They have not endured the same amount of miles that the previous teams [have], and hopefully that will translate to fresher legs.”

Quarterback CJ Lee ’24 returns as the starting quarterback and he hopes to help lead his team to the championship.

“[We’re] going for a section championship,” CJ said. “We have a very capable team this year to reach that goal of a D1 section championship.”

In order to achieve their goals, CJ and the rest of the team are determined to give it their all whenever they step on the field.

“Our main focus going into the season is making sure we’re going 100 percent every play and just leaving it out there every game,” CJ said.

Coach Isaac is excited to see the team work towards their goal of becoming section champions, and he is also excited to see them grow in the Jesuit brotherhood.

“I am looking forward to seeing this team as they enjoy successes and failures both on and off the field,” Coach Isaac said. “These learning moments will only help build the character of these young Marauders into ‘Men For Others.’”