Football

Jesuit football has a great tradition of success, with State Championships in 1968 and 2021 and a State runner-up finish in 1992.

Entering the 2026 season, Jesuit has earned Region titles in 7 of the past 11 seasons. That includes the historic 15-0 State Championship campaign in 2021, in which Jesuit stunned Top 10 nationally ranked powerhouse Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, 24-21, and defeated Pensacola Pine Forest in the 6A State Final, 35-29, to finish No. 8 in the national rankings by both MaxPreps and USA Today.

Numerous Tigers annually receive All-State recognition and sign to play major college football. Recent such players include 2025 Gatorade State Player of the Year and Guy Toph Award winner QB Will Griffin '26 (Florida), 2025 Jimbo Kynes Award winner OL Anthony Rametta '26 (Navy), WR Kaleb Smith '26 (James Madison), RB Justin Thurman '25 (Kansas), WR S.J. Green '25 (North Dakota St.), LS Alex Nocco '25 (Florida St.), DB Drew Woodaz '24 (Clemson), DL Peter Pesansky '24 (North Carolina), 2023 Guy Toph Award winner WR Willy Suarez '24 (Florida St./Indiana St.), LB Troy Bowles '23 (Georgia/Michigan), WR Jarriett Buie '23 (Iowa), RB Jo Smith '23 (Temple/UNH), DB Andre Gilbert '23 (Navy), and OL Wesley Shaw '23 (Army West Point). 

Jesuit's football teams play before large, raucous crowds on Alumni Field in the shadow of the majestic Jesuit Bell Tower. For 2026, Alumni Field will feature the gorgeous new Dr. Dennis Agliano '60 Press Box. With a classic brick design, it beautifully complements the Bell Tower and nearby Hyer Family Park baseball complex, in addition to providing a state-of-the-art facility for the media and coaches. In 2025, the football facility was spectacularly refurbished with the Chatterton '05 Family Scoreboard, a 16-foot high x 32-foot wide screen that has created a dynamic stadium atmosphere, as well as new field turf, the FIFA-rated RootZone 3D3 Blend 52 field turf by AstroTurf.

During the 2025 season, head coach Matt Thompson surpassed Bill Minahan and Dominick Ciao, who were tied with 132 wins, to become the all-time winningest football coach in Jesuit history, and Thompson now has 136 wins in 13 seasons. The powerful Blue Tide student fans have helped the Tigers defeat rival Tampa Catholic in 25 of the past 26 seasons, including a 45-7 victory in 2025. Jesuit leads the all-time series 47-12.

Many Jesuit alumni have played in the NFL, including current players Dane Belton '19 (New York Jets), Malik Davis '17 (Dallas Cowboys), and Wade Woodaz '22, a 2026 4th round draft pick by the Houston Texans out of Clemson. Davis, who starred at the University of Florida, is Hillsborough County's all-time leader in rushing (7,029 yards) and touchdowns (84). Other Jesuit alumni to play in the NFL include Jay Feely '94, who was one of three finalists for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2014; Anthony Allen '06, who earned a Super Bowl ring with the Baltimore Ravens in 2013; and Garrison Sanborn '03, who played 11 NFL seasons from 2009-19, including two in Tampa with the Buccaneers. 

Announcer John Pedrero '81 is on the livestream call for Jesuit football on the Jesuit Tigers Sports Network on YouTube, youtube.com/@JesuitTigersSportsNetwork.

2026 COACHING STAFF

VARSITY

Head Coach
MATT THOMPSON – Head Coach/Special Teams

Coordinators
DON MESICK – Offense
DARRELL PALMER – Defense
 
Assistants
DEREK BACHMAN – Tight Ends; BRIAN CALLAHAN ’91 – Defensive Line; JOE DeLUCIA – Offensive Analyst; KYLE JONES – Inside Linebackers; CHUCK McLEOD – Defensive Analyst; TRISTIAN OWUSU-YAW – Defensive Backs; CAMERON RUFF ’13 – Offensive Line; MARK SANTUCCI – Wide Receivers; ERIC SMITH – Running Backs; PETEY SMITH – Outside Linebackers; RICHARD WILLIAMS – Video

Livestream Announcer
JOHN PEDRERO '81
youtube.com/@JesuitTigersSportsNetwork

JUNIOR VARSITY

JV Head Coach
Matt Kaiser
mkaiser@jesuittampa.org

JV Assistant Coaches
Denis Lopez - Assistant HC; Eric Lopez - OC/QB; Vince Bowers - OL; Dale Brown - Asst. OL; Michael Harrington - RB; Bob Roddenberry ’79 - WR; Doug Rowe ’91 - DC/ILB; Rob Taylor - DL; Doug Elliott ’85 - OLB; Wes Forde - DB; Abe Metelus - Asst. DB

2026 JV ROSTER

TEAM PHYSICIAN

Dr. Amir Shirmohammad '93 of Trinity Family Physicians and MyDoc Concierge of Tampa Bay

TEAM ORTHOPEDIST

Dr. Brian Domby

GUY TOPH AWARD 

The Guy Toph Award is given annually to the the Most Outstanding Football Player in Hillsborough County. Known as the "High School Heisman," it is the nation's oldest continuously awarded individual honor for a high school athlete. From 1939-1974 it was only awarded to public school players, and in 1975, Jesuit's Skipper Peek '76 became the first private school player to receive the honor.

Guy Toph Award winners from Jesuit:
2025 - QB/P Will Griffin '26 (pictured below)
2023 - WR/KR Willy Suarez '24 
2016 - RB Malik Davis '17
1981 - QB Al Lopez III '82
1975 - DB/RB Skipper Peek '76

BILL MINAHAN AWARD

The Minahan Award is given annually to the Hillsborough County football player who most demonstrates "extraordinary perseverance as well as leadership, selflessness, passion, loyalty, excellence on the field and service to others." Founded in 2013, it is named in honor of the late Bill Minahan, who coached Jesuit’s legendary 1968 State Championship team and led the Tigers to 132 wins from 1966-85 while helping produce legions of 'Men for Others' as a coach and athletic director.

Bill Minahan Award winners from Jesuit:
2025 - OL Jameson Thurber '26
2024 - DL Tucker Witte '25
2021 - WR Junior Vandeross '22

JESUIT HEAD COACH MATT THOMPSON
** Year-by-Year at Jesuit **

  YEAR  W-L    TITLES     SEASON END

RECORD: 136-36 in 13 seasons
PLAYOFFS: 33-12
TITLES: 12 District, 7 Region, 1 State

NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION
TAMPA CHAPTER
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD

Since 2022
2025 - Cole Ballesteros, Robert Bogle, Brady Fogarty, Lucca Norton, Kaleb Smith, Thayne Swenson
2024 - Zach Quinn, Trent Teeling, Justin Thurman, Tucker Witte
2023 - Cyrus Aboud, Gary Givens, Evan Rordam, Willy Suarez, Drew Woodaz
2022 - Kyle Boyes, Jarriett Buie, Kevin Doherty, Cayden Fluker, Holton Roberts, Cale Shwedo

1968 - 2021
1968 Frank Massari; 1969 Greg Harlow; 1973 Phil Porter; 1974 Mike Wolf; 1975 Mark McGee; 1978 Domenic Reina; 1979 Todd Kocourek, David Retherford; 1982 David Long; 1983 Greg Harper; 1984 Max Polo; 1985 Todd Timmerman; 1986 Jose Jozik; 1987 Derrick Biao; 1989 Steve Seone David Vaughan; 1990 Greg Godsey; 1991 Nate Tyrrell; 1992 Troy Kent, Andre Kirwan; 1993 Tony Bianchi, Dave Meurer, Court Wolbe; 1994 Jay Feely, Kirk Willett; 1995 Joey Camero, Jason Delgado; 1996 Joe Girgenti; 1997 George Godsey; 1998 Chuck Leonard, Ariel Rodriguez, David Wasielewski; 1999 Matt Britten, Jason Doyle, Gary Godsey, Mike Martin, Bryan Ramm; 2000 John Davidson, Nick Jones; 2001 Xavier Beitia, Eric Conway, Nick Gilman, Mike Muniz; 2002 David Ochotorena, Chris Sullivan; 2003 Dylan McCrory, Garrett Rivas, Shane Robinson, Anthony Severino; 2004 Daniel Holder, Davey May, A.J. Smith; 2005 Chris Chatterton, Brant McKown; 2006 Nicholas Plasencia; 2007 Kevin Valenti; 2008 John Plasencia; 2009 Michael Lamoureux; 2010 Robbie Amor; 2011 Bryce Walker; 2012 Max Chillura, Matt McDonald; 2015 Brendon Wamsley, Clark Bulleit; 2016 Michael Swenson; 2018 Jaden Pask; 2019 Connor McLaughlin, Raleigh Oxendine, Spencer Williams; 2021 Liam Conroy, A.J. Cottrill, Carter French, Wayne Quin, Jonah Tran, Caleb Williams, Wade Woodaz

JESUIT FOOTBALL RECORDS

INDIVIDUAL
Most TD Scored (career) - 84 - Malik Davis ’17 (2013-16)
Most TD Scored (season) - 33 - Malik Davis ’17 (2016)
Most TD Scored (game) - 6 - Will Glover ’99 (1997)
Most Rushing Yards (career) - 7,029 - Malik Davis ’17 (2013-16)
Most Rushing Yards (season) - 2,469 - Malik Davis ’17 (2016)
Most Rushing Yards (game) - 357 - Malik Davis ’17 (2015 vs. TC)

Most TD Passes (career) - 113 - Will Griffin ’26 (2022-25)
Most TD Passes (season) - 37 - Will Griffin ’26 (2025)
Most TD Passes (game) - 7 - Will Griffin ’26 (2023 vs. TC)
Most Passing Yards (career) - 9,804 - Will Griffin ’26 (2022-25)
Most Passing Yards (season) - 3,404 - Will Griffin ’26 (2023)
Most Passing Yards (game) - 479 - Gary Godsey ’99 (1998 vs. Monsignor Pace)
Most TD Receptions (career) - 24 - Jaydn Girard ’22 (2019-2021)
Most TD Receptions (season) - 13 - Willy Suarez ’24 (2023), Curtis Suchan ’68 (1967) 
Most Receptions (season) - 76 - Andre Kirwan ’92 (1991)
Most Receptions (game) - 16 - Will Glover ’99 (1998 vs. Monsignor Pace)
Most Receiving Yards (game) - 242 - Junior Vandeross ’22 (2020 vs. Orlando Jones)
Most Receiving Yards (season) - 1,232 - Willy Suarez ’24 (2023)
Most Receiving Yards (career) - 1,967- Junior Vandeross ’22 (2018-2021)
Most All-Purpose Yards (game) - 414 - Kevin Valenti ’07 (2006 vs. St. Pete Catholic)
Best Punt Return Average (season) - 28.3 - Travell Harris ’17 (2016)
Best Kickoff Return Average (season) - 42.5 - Willy Suarez ’24 (2023)
Most Tackles (career) - 520 - A.J. Cottrill ’22 (2019-2021)
Most Tackles (season) - 208 - A.J. Cottrill ’22 (2020)
Most Tackles (game) - 25 - Zach Quinn ’25 (2023 vs. Pinellas Park)
Most Interceptions (season) - 9 - Evalio Harrell Jr. ’03 (2002)
Most Interceptions (game) - 4 - Evalio Harrell Jr. ’03 (2002)
Most Fumble Recoveries (season) - 7 - Kent Corral ’69, David Vaughan ’89, Mike McLaughlin ’91, Court Wolbe ’93
Most Field Goals (season) - 14 - Jay Feely ’94 (1992)
Longest Field Goal - 53 yds - David Wasielewski ’98 (1997)

TEAM
Fewest Yards Allowed (game):  9  (Sept. 4, 2015 vs. Trinity Catholic)
Most Points Scored (game):  77  (Oct. 8, 2010 vs. Lennard)
Most Shutouts (season):  7 (2021)
Most Consecutive Wins vs. Opponent:  22  vs. TC (2000 -2021)
Most Wins (season):  15  (2021)
State Championships:  1968 (HC Bill Minahan), 2021 (HC Matt Thompson)
Head Coach Wins:
1. 136, Matt Thompson (2013-26, 136-36 overall)
2. 132, Bill Minahan (1966-85, 132-78 overall) and Dominick Ciao (1986-2002, 132-60 overall)

JESUIT vs. TC SERIES
Jesuit leads 47-12
through 2025 season

1965 - JESUIT 26-8
1966 - JESUIT 27-0
1967 - NO GAME
1968 - NO GAME
1969 - TC 34-0
1970 - JESUIT 13-7
1971 - TC 14-6
1972 - TC 12-0
1973 - JESUIT 29-14
1974 - JESUIT 23-7
1975 - JESUIT 20-0
1976 - TC 8-7
1977 - JESUIT 22-14
1978 - JESUIT 33-6
1979 - TC 14-0
1980 - JESUIT 16-7
1981 - JESUIT 19-13 OT
1982 - JESUIT 20-9
1983 - JESUIT 12-6
1984 - JESUIT 18-7
1985 - TC 22-21 OT
1986 - TC 19-14
1987 - TC 21-14
1988 - JESUIT 32-7
1989 - TC 7-0
1990 - JESUIT 14-7
1991 - JESUIT 16-6
1992 - JESUIT 42-20
1993 - JESUIT 28-7
1994 - JESUIT 34-23
1995 - JESUIT 28-27
1996 - JESUIT 19-14
1997 - TC 15-10
1998 - JESUIT 14-0
1999 - TC 26-7
2000 - JESUIT 29-3
2001 - JESUIT 49-6
2002 - JESUIT 35-0
2003 - JESUIT 27-7
2004 - JESUIT 42-6
2005 - JESUIT 24-0
2006 - JESUIT 35-17
2007 - JESUIT 31-28
2008 - JESUIT 28-16
2009 - JESUIT 24-14
2010 - JESUIT 28-18
2011 - JESUIT 27-10
2012 - JESUIT 17-3
2013 - JESUIT 13-9
2014 - JESUIT 31-28
2015 - JESUIT 35-20
2016 - JESUIT 34-14
2017 - JESUIT 35-7
2018 - JESUIT 17-7
2019 - JESUIT 31-21
2020 - JESUIT 35-21
2021 - JESUIT 42-0
2022 - TC 20-19
2023 - JESUIT 66-35
2024 - JESUIT 31-21
2025 - JESUIT 45-7