The Pope John Paul II Jaguars begin the season tomorrow by hosting the Pearl River Rebels with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

The contest was originally slated for Friday.

PJP had its jamboree game at Newman cancelled two weeks ago due to Hurricane Gustav.

Pearl River's Jeremiah Levy (40) runs through the line against Salmen during the Northshore Jamboree held Aug. 29. (File Photo by James Elorriaga)

Pearl River’s jamboree game at Chalmette was cancelled. The Rebels played against Salmen in NHS’ jamboree when John McDonogh dropped out and won, 13-7, when Blake Ladner came up with a blocked punt with 1:44 left in the game.

Last year when the teams met, the Rebels shutout Pope John Paul, 41-0.

Pearl River coach Joe Harris said the only difference in preparing for the game is that you lose a day.

Offensively, Pearl River runs the Wing-T. This week, the Rebels get a key piece of the puzzle back as Harris said junior running back James Gillum, who did not play in the jamboree due to an injury, is scheduled to start.

Without him, Pearl River was able to get good production in the running game. Senior Will Reed ran for 52 yards and the game-winning touchdown, while junior Jeremiah Levy chewed up 55 yards.

Pope John Paul coach Mark Jeanmard, who will be making his regular-season debut, said his team is in for a challenge.

“Pearl River is one of the better programs in the area led by James Gillum,” Jeanmard said.

Jeanmard added that it should be a good match up.

“One of the things I sense from our players, and I’m sure I will from theirs, is the pride and competition. It’s not a backyard rivalry, but it’s a neighborhood rivalry,” Jeanmard said.

Defensively, Pope John Paul will run a 4-4 defense designed to confuse offenses. The unit showed how tough it can be during its three-way scrimmage on Aug. 22 by forcing six turnovers.

The Jags’ group gave up two scores. One was a 70-yard run by Country Day’s quarterback. The second score came in a 15-minute period against Warren Easton, which finished tied at 6-6. Following a turnover at PJP’s 30, the Eagles tallied on a pass during the second play. The drive was helped out by a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty.

The Jaguars defense is led by senior linebackers Cory Davis and Brad Alfonso, senior lineman Bobby Mayfield and junior tackle Joel Price.

Offensively, the Jaguars run a veer offense with multiple formations.

Jeanmard said the team has seven different formations with senior quarterback Nathan Hewitt calling signals.

Senior Ross Macaluso is the fullback, while sophomore Carlo Conforto and junior Sid Corwin are the wingbacks.

In the scrimmage, Conforto caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Hewitt. The wide receivers are senior Tommy Gritten and junior Chandler Scheurmann.

Defensively, Pearl River is trying to continue the success it had against Salmen during the jamboree.

Harris said senior defensive back Cory Jenkins stuck out in the jamboree. He said Jenkins made a lot of tackles and covered well.

Senior Stephen Arthur, who had a pick against Salmen, is the middle linebacker. Last season, he had 91 tackles to go with 5.5 sacks.

Special teams is an area that has PJP coach Jeanmard concerned because by not playing in the jamboree, the Jaguars have not worked on special teams during a live game situation.

Corwin will handle the kickoffs, while junior James Cousin will kick field goals and senior Andrew Morse will do the punting.